Scott Bennett on letters of Moment

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 41, 15 December 1911, Page 9

Scott Bennett on letters of Moment

A PARTING TALK AND WORDS OF ADVICE.

Just before leaving for Australia, bcott Bennett spoke to "The Worker" interestingly o f the working-class movement in New Zealand. "I must express my pleasure at the noticeable,trend of affairs among members o| the federation and the endorsing of the principles of Industrial Unionism," said Scott Bennett. "I Il O1 i < L po i? t °) lt by ) va y of warning, tnat the time, has arrived, in my opinion, for the Federation to launch out ■"POH- I.W.W. lines, recognising as we all do the difference between Federationism and Industrial Unionism. "I wish to express my pleasure- at the work put in by comrades during this election, and the uncompromising attitude taken up by candidates, hi the future, though, I think it wise that if political action is to be taken, it be taken by the Socialist Party, and that the* Federation of Labor be an exclusively industrial organisation. "The ■possibilities before the Federation organised upon I.W.W. lines seem to be immense. The capitalist" politicians with 'social reform , cries are losing their hold upon the people, which makes the task of building up an industrial army so much easier. "I noticed in both the North and South Islands a slight diminution in the influence exercised by New Zealand's blight known as "wowserism." This is a force which in my opinion is necessarily reactionary from a work-ing-class point of view and every effort should be made in checkmating it. "I thank 'The Worker , for having exposed the misrepresentation indulged in by W. T. Mills and supporters rearranging of debates." I have been informed of late that the result of the debates Avill help to clear the air as to the position the working-class should occupy in their fight against capitalism." What of the "Unity" schome? we asked. Scott Bennett replied: "I've nothing to say regarding it; it's simply flogging a dead horse. The thing was a 'fake' from the beginning, and the end of such schemes is inevitable." ' 'I would suggest to those engaged in the Socialist and industrial movements that more attention should be paid to combines and trusts in N-Z.. as illustrations of the inevitable trend of capitalism,, are almost as clearly discernible here as in older countries." 'Regardingthe establishment of- the Federation upon I.W.W. linos, we asked, if such a step would mean the

ivithdrawal of some unions, would you stil] advocate it? — unhesitatingly so. Better a sound organisation and small than a, large organisation and weak. The whole should) be discussed as the. most -important question to be dealt with at; the forthcoming Federation Conference." ;Po'you think the policy the Federaation of Labor has adopted, that of endeavouring to capture unions which control tlie most vital industries, a god one? - - ."Tes, ;_I think it wise. Capture them, , and . the" others must inevitably :good.one? . ' ~ "•'Regarding £lie Socialist Party, have you anything,to suggest? , -"I would suggest that.next S.P. Cbn- ; ference should not Jutve a programme of•■„ reforms/ seeing Aye live in.a. land of 'reform.' In addition.to the Socialist objective, the programme should be a statement of fact that every candidate, , if elected, will support every measure in favor. of ■ the working-class arid every measiwe against the interests of the .working-class. .--'■' '.'I would also. suggest-that singing at meetings should be;inaugur ated. The Socialists of ">New, Zealand to a great extent Jiave ' pyerlooked this most important aid ihiprppaga-hda. The question of ■■literature.is; orte'-'tliat' branches should pay. great aiieiition to, and see that only the'sounJiest. pamphlets are circulated. 'The'Latboi' News Co., of New York, aiidChas. -Iterr and C0.,"0f Chicago, can supply literature of that •class at rates quite as low as the pipe-dream variety .of literature that has occasionally in the past been circulated. "In conclusion," said our subject, "I desire to thank the Federation for enabling mc to tour New Zealand and the thousand- : and- one comrades who have treated mc with such hospitality. I congratulate 'The Worker' on the good work which it is doing and wish it every success in the future." Are you leaving New Zealand for good? we asked. "I hope not," said our comrade. ''lexpect to be away about 12 or 13 months, and will return to Australia and New Zealand." -

"Alert" in,its ".Social Gossip" tells of a bride-to-be who was presented by her work-mates with an ice^-cliest! Well ■■,■ of course, Queensland is a hot country, but an ice-chest as a wedding present sounds chilly, to say the least . A fair day's wage for a fair day's work is as just a- demand as governed man ever made of governing.' ~~lt is the everlasting right of man. —Carlyle. Where complaints are freely heard, deeply considered, and speedily reformed, then is the outmost bound of civil liberty attained that wise men look for.—Milton. Commonwealths are not physical, but moral essences. —Burke.