PREFERENCE CLAUSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2586, 21 August 1909, Page 6

PREFERENCE CLAUSE.

PROTEST BY A UNIONIST

“RUINATION TO THE WORKERS.”

Mention of preference to unionists in a motion at the Wliarf Laborers’ Conference gave occasion to Mr. E. M'Cann, of Wellington, to deliver a remarkable attack upon the preference clause as operating at that port. “Preference,” lie declared, “lias done nothing for us in Wellington except starvation. It is tho greatest farce ever introduced here.” Before preference was obtained, a man—not a good one—was getting £2 a week on tho wharf, but now he himself, a leader of a gang, sometimes made ss. a week, and at other times Bs-9d. 9s 2d, 13s lid, or 11s lid. Ifi-preference had been any good, he failed to see it. It had brought ■.men down to the wharf, and before they could begin to w’ork they had to lodge » certain sum of money with the union, and once they belonged .to it they had as much claim to work as those who had been on the wharf for four or five years. Preference had been the ruination of the waterside workers of Wellington. “I am here to represent my union,” concluded Mr. M'Cann, replying to a question, “and I think the union will endorse my sentiments.”

Mr. H. Voyce (Lyttelton) said he did not know whether the last speaker had been associated witli unions for many years. Mr. M'Cann: Seventeen years. Mr. Voyce, continuing, said that he was utterly surprised—he had almost said indignant—at opinions expressed by Mr. M'Cann. He did not know’ whether Mr. M'Cann thought preference was inimical to unionism. Mr. M’Cann: Tliat’e just what I do. Mr. Voyce proceeded to show' that preference had caused great increases of membership to the unions. Mr. J. Osborne (Greymouth) argued that unemployment on the wharves was due, not to preference, but to the general industrial depression. Preference had been useful by causing those who would. not otherwise have done so to contribute to .union funds. Mr. D. M'Carthv (Napier) said preference had been beneficial at Napier. Mr. D. Casey (Napier) said the union at his port was three times stronger now than it. wms before preference was granted. The men w r lio used to work with them and get the same money without subscribing to the union were now obliged to do so. He thought all tho unions "should try to get preference. Mr. W. Morris (Dunedin) and Mr. J. Purvis (Timaru) argued that preference had done a great'deal of gbod. Mr. A. L. Jones (Wellington) endorsed the views of Mr. M'Cann. Mr. J. Burton (Wellington) was apparently beginning to explain that Mr. M f Gann’s remarks did not express the views of the Wellington union, but was ruled out of order by the chairman, on the ground that he had already spoken to the motion. The ruling also applied to the other Wellington delegates, but the chairman said they could probably find a later opportunity to allude to the matter.

Speaking later to a “Dominion” reporter, Mr. D. M'Laren, M. P., secretary of the Wellington Wharf Laborers’ Union, said: “You may. take it from me that the two Wellington delegates who spoke, against the preference clause were not expressing the views of the ..union. They have misunderstood 1 the effect of the clause in supposing that it has induced a big supply of labor to come to the wharves. There is no preference clause at Wanganui, and yet that port is smothered with excess of labor.”