A LABOR PROPOSAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3351, 18 October 1911, Page 6

A LABOR PROPOSAL.

UNION TO BECOME EMPLOYER

Before his union Mr T. O’Byrne recently introduced the question of the Southland Sawmill Workers’ Union entering into the sawmilling industry as an owner. He failed to see why . A could not be worked; in fact, he maintained, the scheme could not possibly fail, as the best workers would be at the disposal of the union. All that was required was to secure a suitable piece of bush. If trouble in the shape of a strike, or in any other way, then arose, the union would have something solid at its back. The profits could be used for the purpose of initiating a strike fund and a sick benefit fund, and the proposal could be extended from time to time in the direction of acquiring other sawmills. He knew of one man who would guarantee £200; another man had offered £SO, and he himself would give £SO towards bringing the scheme into operation. Members had been asleep, or they would have taken the step years ago. In Western Australia and in America unions owned sawmills and were making tremendous profits. They now had a federation of sawmill workers in the Dominion, and there was no reason why branches in other districts should not follow Southland’s lead. Eventually the secretary was instructed to secure the option of purchasing a piece of bush, and to report to next meeting.