ALLIANCE OF LABOR

Evening Star, Issue 19002, 25 July 1925, Page 4

ALLIANCE OF LABOR

CAMPAIGN ADDRESSES Addresses in furtherance of the campaign on behalf of the Alliance of .Labor were given at the Art Gallery last evening by Mr 11. Harrison and Mr P. H. Hickey. A fair attendance was attracted in spite of the wet weather. Mr N. Campbell presided. Mr R. Harrison outlined some of the ideals that lay behind the working class struggle, and quoted opinions expressed by thinkers of all shades of opinion, demonstrating that the potentiality of unity among the working classes was fully recognised. The only people who did' not realise that were the workers themselves. They could not understand that the''wealth they created _ belonged to them, and that by organisation it lay in their power to claim that wealth. Discussing the question of industrial solidarity, Mr P. H. Hickey deplored the lack of unanimity among the workers, which caused them to lose ground instead of gaining it. Time was when the con! miner hold the whole industries of the country in his grip: that day had gone, and a changed front was now required if the workers were to advance from “ the sector” they now held. Workers who were not allied to any other body should join the Alliance. If the workers were properly organised they would restore their grip on industry. He criticised the operation of the Arbitration Court both here and elsewhere. In England an attempt was being made to break up the solidarity of the workers by reducing the subsistence wage by 10 per cent, if that could be done with the miners, no other union could withstand the attack. After explaining some of the advantages that the workers would receive from, solid organisation Mr Hickey spoke of the benefits that a Labor' Government would confer. But industrial solidarity was their greatest need. • 1 Solidarity For Ever’ was sung by the audience. The following motion, moved by Mr W. Herbert and seconded by Mr W. Clarke, was then carried :—“ This meeting, recognising the importance of the efficient organisation of the workers, both politically and industrially, and having heard the various speakers exponntung the principles of industrial unity, now pledges itself to endeavor, through the various unions, to bring about one complete industrial organisation in New Zealand.”