PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14467, 4 December 1914, Page 8

PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

| . TO THE EDITOR. i Sir,—Mr Hogan, in reply to my, letter re prlfcrence to Unionists has submitted several questions- which lie advises me to ask Mr . Veitoli. ; I am net concerned in regard to Mr Veitch’s attitude on this matter, as I, know exactly where Mr Yeitch stands, but I am concerned along with others to know \vhere Mr Hoganstands on this matter, which under present conditions is of vital importance to. every worker. Mr Hogan stated most.emphatically that he was against preference ,to Unionists/and also that, every worker over 55 years of age should be exempt from , the operation of any award—a truly capitalistic idea, forgetting that the Arbitration Court inserts an under-rate or permit clause in all its awards to stop the abuse. of the over-age worker, who is entitled : really to more protection than any other i worker. Yet within a few days Mr Hogan, ' speaking at Castlecliff, says that .he sees ;no objection •to preference, provided a : majority of the workers are in the Union, So where does the vote-catching cry come in? I think Mr Hogan is using it for all it is worth, lln answer to the last question, I understand Mr Hogan's firm is a registered land and finance agency. The conditions for registration purposes is a requisition signed by five reputable citizens, insurance, etc., fidelity bend, application to a Magistrate who issues a ceri tifioate on payment of a fee of Mo, such : application to he made annually; so I think it is a- much cloeer-ttlnion than any of ours.—l am, etc., , D. J. GONCHIE. TO THE BDITOB. Sir, —In reply to “Hau Han’s” letter on, preference to Unionists, I wish to remark j that his nom de plume is very appropriate, as Hau Hans always fight in the bush; never come out in' the open if possible. He wants to know why it is necessary to have secretaries, etc. Well, he. supplies the answer by confessing he is a “Unionist by compulsion, and to protect the' honest worker from workers like “Hau Hau”-- a secretary becomes a necessity, because a man that will take advantage of his own class cannot be trusted. I would suggest that “Hau Hau” change his name to “Smoogef,” and then we would know exactly'how to treat him—with contempt.— I am, etc., ID. J. GONCHIE.: