THE I.W.W.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15746, 13 November 1916, Page 9

THE I.W.W.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE YIPEE IN AUSTRALIA. (FROM OFE OWN" CORSXSrONDBXT.) SYDNEY. November G. Since the reccnt police prosecutions here connected the I.W.W. organisation all too clearly with incendiarism and other serious crimes, and the real nature of the viper Australia has been nursing in her bosom has been disclosed, the authorities have instituted quite an anti-I.W.W. campaign.

Arrests have been made in all parts of the Commonwealth, and more particularly in mining districts like Broken Hill and West Australia. The more enthusiastic believers in the : "sab. cat have now ample leisure, beiiind iron bars, to consider the economic problems which appear to have disturbed their mental balance. The determination of the Federal' and State Governments to deal drastically with this real and very insidious danger is illustrated in West Australia, where, among the men under the cloud is Mr W. M. Siebenhaar. dc-puty-registrar-general. who lias been suspended "in connexion with pending I.W.W. prosecutions." Tlie New South Wales State Government has caused a sensation by dismissing I.W.W. men from the railway service—some branches of which are notoriously permeated with the vicious doctrine. The Deputy-Chief Commissioner is calling before him and interrogating certain men who are suspected nt - 1.W.W.-ism. and, where the circumstances warrant it. the men are requested to leave at once. It is interesting to learn that this development is being viewed with equanimity, if not with approval, by the unions affected. One union secretary said: "The railway and tramway service, unfortunately, has more than its I'air share of I.W.W.'s, and, seeing the excellent opportunities that are given them of putting into practice their pernicious beliefs, the best tiling is to get rid of them. As a matter of fact, they are a greater pest and source of annoyanco to the unions than to the Commissioner." But one hears oF a great stir in T.W.W. circles, and there are rumours flyinrj about of .secret meetings, plots, and bombs. The fire-stick, the bomb, and the secret bullet are by 110 means unfavourably regarded b.v the I.W.W. gentlemen, but it is probable they -are being too closely watched by the police just now to bo really dangerous. There is much restlessness to be seen, however, in certain extreme union-s with strong I.W.W. j sympathies, mid the position requires firm, yet delicate handling. Here is a striking instance of T.W.W.-ism. A subscription was taken up in Broken Hill to defend cer- | tain members of the I.W.W. then in the hands of the ]>olice. Mr Hosier, a well-known business man. and secretary of the local racing club, would not subscribe. Whereupon, on Thursday llight, members of -unions affiliated with the Political Labour Leaguo in that district (whieli body is dominated by 1.W.W.-ism) met and decided to boycott all race meetings with which Mr Hosier is connected. A meeting of horse-owners and others interested is now being called to decide what defensive action shall be taken.