Public Meeting

Grey River Argus, 12 April 1928, Page 5

Public Meeting

AT BLACKBALL. A public meeting was held in the Miners’ Hall. Blackball, on Sunday last hv the local group of the Communist Party. Mr J. Doyle occupied the chair, and introduced the speakers. Messrs R. Griffin and F. E. Freeman, of Wellington. Mr Freeman spoke on unemployment. He pointed out that this was not only a local problem, but was national and international. It was evidence of the signs of general capitalist breakdown. Causes in New Zealand were shown to be difficulties of competition abroad for markets, oil burning ships replacing coal, etc. Its danger to the working class lay in lhe reduced rates offered to workers on relief works. Although no solution was possible under capitalism, the working class must fight for immediate demands in order to protect itself. Work, or maintenance, at Trade Union rates, should be demanded. The Communist Party was t-ho only Party with a practical fighting

policy. Mr R. Griffin gave as the title of h>s address “What’s To Be Done?” Thia was the formula of N. Lenin, the great leader of the Russian working class. It was the correct attitude to adopt towards all working class problems. It was no use wailing about the black outlook, and apathy, etc. The Communist formula was “What’s to be done?” The British miners’ lockout, which resulted in the General Strike, furnished some illustrations of use to the New Zealand workers. It was the Communist Party which had advocated preparation for the General Strike. Their activities during the strike resulted in a doubled membership. The Seamen’s Union Secretary, Havelock Wilson, had done his utmost against the success of the General Strike. The R.I.L.U. and the Russian Unions had furnished over £1,090.000 for the assistance of the miners. The N.Z. Miners should unite with the other militant ‘organisations, such as the Seamen’s Union, for a fighting policy. The speaker urged the Communist Party policy of affiliation to the Red luternational of Labour Unions. To assist in preventing war, they should affiliate to the Pan-Pacific Conference of Workers, with headquarters in China. At the conclusion of the speeches, questions were asked for, and were satiefaetorily dealt with.