The Wanganui Herald (Published Daily.) SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 1920. LABOR TROUBLES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160740, 28 August 1920, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald (Published Daily.) SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 1920. LABOR TROUBLES.

The hold-up of shipping in Wellington and the “go-slow” .tactics adopted at the Huntly and other adjacent colleries during the past week afford further unmistakable proof of the fact that there is a section of labour —very small, we believe it to be, but a section, nevertheless, which invariably obtains control by worming its way into the official positions of the several unions prepared to adopt 1.W.W.-Ism or any and every method to secure its ends. This Red Fed section apparently holds agreements honourably entered into as mere scraps of paper to be torn to shreds when it thinks a point may be scored. This was made apparent in Wellington, when the watersiders deliberately rejected the unanimous advice of the Disputes Committee (which included three representatives of Labour and a like number for the employers) to work the phosphate cargo at agreement rates. The men were required to unload the cargo at 2/5 an hour, as specified in the award. Through error on the part of the Union secretary, the men went to work in the belief that they were to get more, and when the employers heard of this they magnanimously consented to pay the higher rate for the day. The men 'Complain that working with phosphates injures their clothing and boots, and they are justly entitled to higher wages when working loose phosphate. In the case under discussion, however, the cargo was packed in double bags with stout paper lining, and is said to have turned out so well that it was no more objectionable to handle than a cargo of sugar or grain. Notwithstanding these facts, however, the men refused to turn to on the following morning at the agreement rates, and a serious hold-up occurred in the Empire City. A most unpleasant feature was the demonstration made against those willing to work by the disgruntled I.W.W’s. At Huntley the miners, who probably are not without grievances which require rectification, have again adopted the “go-slow” tactics, which some months ago they promised not to resort to. Such actions as these cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed, and if continued will assuredly result in labour having a severe set-back and losing the last shred of public sympathy. Were the I.W.W’s. alone affected by this shocking lack of regard for obligations entered into, it would not matter 'so , much. But the whole community suffers, and none more than the workers. During the Great War {he workers won

the hearts of many employers—not only in New Zealand, but in other lands —who previously had little sympathy with their aims and objects, and there was a very general feeling in favour of a closer cooperation and a recognition .of labour’s claims to a greater voice in the conduct and a larger share in the profits of the various industries. That kindlier relationship, however, has been grievously strained by so many stop-work meetings by the “go-slow” methods, by the utter disregard for the sanctity of agreemenst, and by the general harassing tactics adopted by the extremists, who are never happier than when agitating. It must be patent to the great body of .workers that these Red Fed methods of intimidation cannot but injure the cause of Labour. The cost of living is mounting higher and higher, wages are ever on the increase, but the workers are no better off. How can they be when there is such serious interference with the industries of the Dominion by the constant stoppages which lessen production? When Labour realises that it is being misled and decides to throw off the thraldom of the Red Fed leaders, it will come to its own. Not before.