More hard times for Bush Workers

*THE WORKER*

Brisbane August 5, 1893

Cutting Bush Workers' Wages.

The Central Queensland Squatters' Union at its secret meeting at Longreach resolved to cut the wages of all bush workers except shearers 20 per cent, and the reduction is being enforced at the point of starvation. This action was taken without any consultation with the men. It was done without recognising the men's right to a voice in determining the conditions under which they shall work, and of course what share of the fruits of their labour they shall enjoy.

The only reason why the raid was not general was that had it included the shearers the boy, would again have resorted to a strike, and more would have been lost to the owners on this year's clip than the reduction itself would have represented. Bush workers will see that the tactics of the squatters are precisely those of the shipowners. The marine engineers are about to have their wages cut, but they are not being dealt with on the same lines as the federated seamen. That body was attacked first, and when it had been brought to its knees, but not till then, the owners turned their attention to the engineers. Of course from the beginning it was known that the reduction would go all round, but the capitalist finds that he can deal with the workers better in sections, and hence he takes a slice off here and there as convenience suggests. Only in the case of the marine engineers, who are highly skilled workers and cannot be easily replaced, the shipowners are inclined to grant the conference that was refused to the seamen and firemen, and in the case of the shearers, who are also more or less skilled and difficult to replace, the squatters think it better to let well alone for the present.

The lesson is obvious, Complete and effective organisation must be secured at all costs, and even that will not always avail. Already at Wellshot, Ruthven and other stations the roustabouts have bucked. They see that a 20 per cent cut leaves them no margin for existing in the off season; that such a wage as is rung in on them doesn't provide them with much more than grass – such as the French Minister said the people should eat before the Revolution. But justifiable as the revolt of the men against accepting the squatters' terms is, it is not a question of right or wrong, but the chance of winning in the fight. Unfortunately the weather is again playing into the hands of the enemy: rain is falling, shearing is in consequence delayed, and time is given to the squatters to round up regiments of blacklegs from the unemployed army in the towns.