OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 February 1941, Page 7

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

TRADE UNION DEMANDS 'To the F.di'or.) Sir —Being one of the miscreants who refused to pay union foes for two days’ work on the gates at the Show, may I explain my position which may be similar to that of others'? In the first place each individual acted upon his own conception of the position, and further than that, the men were sympath* tic towards the A. and P, Association which has always, treated us fairly. Had it come to a show-down. 1 was personally prepared to give my services free, rather than place the association in a predicament —even if J had to wear the only pair of shoes I possess for six months longer. beforp I would subscribe to such an imposition from any Government. There is no doubt it is time somebody took a stand against such flourishings of the ’big stick" in this and other directions. It is not the amount at stake which matters so much as the principle concerned. The Show and other similar entertainments only come around once a year, when men like myself may get a chance for one or perhaps two days' employment, for which we are asked to pay, in addition to 2s in the £ 1 tax, a union fee of 2s fid, leaving the magnificent sum of 15s fid for a day's work in the broiling sun! I’ll guarantee the men spreading the gravel al the gate on the first day of the Show get more than that for very little exertion and a permanent job ar well, while 1 have to hunt around fog such temporary jobs of any description as may be offering to earn my bread and butter. If I had to pay a union fee for every kind of job I do in a year. I would have to pay no end of fees in order to earn a miserable pittance, if this despotism is allowed to go on for ever. The following are some the jobs: Book-keeping, clerical gardening mid cutting lawns relieving chauffeur, cleaning and painting a car, house interior decorating and a dozen others, and for this last eighteen months the Placement Oll'ieer has found nothing for me to do. I am a married r.tan. over military age. with a family of three. I served in the Great War and my only son is now training to do his bit in this war. and I have always believed in a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. For years i was a supporter of xhe Labour movement until after the Labour Government came into power mid squeezed my employer <>ut 4 business through import restrictions and other industrial disorganisation, mid now I find they have turned on in • in a manner oft speaking, but like many others I shall 1 know which lines to "cross out" next] December, The day of cheap labour is stronger in evidence than ever, but by I rear, n of being past the youth stage, IJ am practically debarred from obtain-] ing work which somv employers v, >',s!dj give were it no! for the penalties of, unionism and prohibitive legislation imposed by a Government which pro-1 fosses to be the wmi.ing man’s friend.! hi conclusion i mid like to thunkj the several leading citizens who openly ex.nressed their sympathy and support; in our action but as I understand the; A. mid 1’ Association i: moving m thc ! matter, nothing further is being dune! by the gale employee:;. j Before thanking ymi for ycur; space may I ask one favour? Would: you kindly explain to me tin* digt.-r-: epee it any between Nazism Fa-cism ; Bolshevism and Despotism’’ Yours,! ’ ONE OF THE BOYS ' j Mas’erton. February 2D