The Moving Finger
Maoriland Worker, Volume 6, Issue 249, 24 November 1915, Page 5
About this newspaper
The Moving Finger
" The mteing finger arilei; and, having writ, motet <m,"—OMAJt. <
In a recent issue of "Direct Action," Tom Barker rather amusingly complains thut, while that paper has been shut out of N.Z., "Tho Maoriland Worker" is allowed to publish. In the first place, IS Tom's paper shut out? (Wo rather think that its anti-Socialist furiousness somewhat' pleases Fat). In tho second place; does it follow —and it must, if there is logic in Tom's contentio —that, because "Direct Action" has not yet been suppressed in Australia, the Australian employers favor its propaganda? An ungry noto is- tetruck becauso wo remarked that tho anniversary number of "Solidarity" was much above tho ordinary I.W.W. standard of journalism. Tom says that journalistic standards don't count. We differ. Labour demands cleanliness. CloanJincss in our press is just as desirable as in our persons. Quito reoently "Direct Action" devoted a column and a (half to the work of telling a newspaper opponent (certainly a reprehensible scribbler), in effect, that his mother was a jail-bird and a prostitute, and that he Was a male "white slave," etc. We would suggest to friend Thomas that he might leave tho heaving of bricks alone for a period .and get busy living down his disastrous climb-down in tho lower court over that anti-recruiting poster. OTUS. * ¥r * At the Palmerston North Agricultural Show tho other -week, one of the "sights" was v, sheep being led round as a sort of patriotic beggar. On a covor were the words:'"l am giving my life for tho cause Why can't you?" Some onlookers doubted whether this was the cheep's real opinion. They suspected that the sheep was a conscript. No need to laugh. A sheep would make an excellent conscript. As Georgo Bernard Shaw makes General Mitchoncr say in his "Press Cuttings" : "A sheep has many valuable military qualities." The sheep was afterwards knocked down for £13. Unlucky number —for the sheep, which, conscript-like, was led to the shambles. J.T. * * * ; David McLaron was making a patriotic speech at Palmerston North Show. He even "warmed up" to it. Gee I but didn't he give the Germans 'efl—with his mouth. "Shall WE Britishers let them win?" he shouted. "Shall WE?" B.r-r.r-r-r-r-r! And tho roar of Shorthorn
bull shook Ih6 Sraftera of &*.pk* vilion. The Fusion, papers &t>swM tho hull's bellow was *Vfconvft**ag i%-l ply" to the question., fcut ah *ld fain.' mci 1 chap with etraw 'in his whkkerS said ho reckoned that ball jiisfc>«mehbored Davie fcadn'to the khaki'on.' * * * Judging from th© replies given bj the Mayor and certain Wellington-t%> Councillors to thefiocialist cent deputation re free Speech, we( gather toat there is no desire Watetfir! on the part of the City Couticil to stiflo free speech, jJwayu ptwided th* speakers promise fcofltfehiUftd that the* will not give utterance to *«tttitß«ii'U; the 6aid Councillors might a* ' & When we remember that a certaiM Wellington trade union official wofkei very ctrenuotiisly for Councillor Fitzgerald last municipal eltcfcfon, and when tt-b read the eaid conncillor's views on free speech, we are inclined to think it's timo some one »titt, "Maw, get the etrapl" for ik*> faei«inbeforwnentionfed union efilcial.
