By EDWARD HARTLEY.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 42, 22 December 1911, Page 18

By EDWARD HARTLEY.

Still at Waihi. When this reaches you the result of the second ballot will be known, and: whatever happens we've made a good fight.

The people seem to listen gladly to the gospel of Socialism and Industrial Unity. After three candidates had spoken to a big-crowd in front of the Miners' Hall at Waibi, where the results were announced., there were loud cries for Hartley, a,nd I said a few words for Socialism.

On the Friday we were reckoning things up and making arrangements.

On Saturday I went to Karangahake, holding a.good meeting frora the bandstand. •

Sunday evening we had the theatre, and it was packed out. We began at 8 p.m. j to oblige one of the ministers 3 who wished his congregation to bear Air. Hartley. We had two good selections by a good orchestra, a fiery five minutes from the candidate, two minutes from the chairman, and finished at 10 o'clock. Question time was very useful.

I showed how the capitalist class had got hold of both natural and mechanical monopolies in all countries to the disadvantage and thraldom of the workers, but at the same time had shown how easily they could be transferred to public ownership and management.

Next morning a man informed mc that he knew of three men who had been turned round at the meeting There should be many more.

It was most interesting to watch the faces in the audience, as, with a blackboard , 'and some chalk, I showed how £500,000 invested in the mines had grown to be worth in the open market at least £2,000,000. How while the invested capital had grown by four times its value the share capital had already received £4,284.000 in dividends and bonus.

When I further showed that 1400 men at 10s a day, working for 50 weeks oach year for 20 j-ears, would not receive as much in wages as the idlers would receive in dividend, the women grew specially interested.

I want us to get the women into our movement, not merely because they have votes, but because being half the nation we must have them intelligently understand in order to make Socialism possible. Further, their influence with the children will make our foundations sure for the future. I don't think either Liberals or Conservatives will ever again get the support of the wives when once they understand how their husbands have been, robbed.

Monday we had a good meeting at Waikino, where I found there is a good deal of the snobbery which'causes a chemist or engineer at the battery to think he is somewhat superior to the mere miner, who is a manual worker.

The rich and middle class encourage this kind of snobbery, because they find it a bulwark of the position of the idlers. Chemists, engineers, clerks, and managers have all got to learn thai if the miner did not dig and fight to wrest the treasures from the rocks there would be no work for them to do, and their very lives and positions are dependent upon the men they look down on.

All the workers must be united, and this class of worker must be made to understand that their position would be wonderfully improved under Socialism, When once we unite to put aside the idler class, the workers of every section are found to improve their position.

Tuesday evening saw me' again in the Miners' Hall. Waihi. where, in spite of a. severe thunderstorm, the room was comfortably filled.

Wednesday evening Comrades Hickey 5 Savage and myself addressed a good crowd in the open air. It was a good meeting. Many of those present were those who win not come to our indoor meetings. In the afternoon I went i-o Karattgahakey but the hall being engaged and the rain eomingJuM*«w»tßj we had bo meeting.

The fight at Ohinemuri has done an immense amount for Socialism and industrial solidarity. The.metf who are good members of the union except at election times know that unity can only be got one way, and that is by them falling into line and at all times fighting every question from the class point of view. We. have done well.

If anyone north of Auckland would like a visit, will they write mc at once at Federal Hall, Auckland, and if any Socialists anywhere near Auckland know of any work we can do, it is time we got into touch with them.

Taumarunuij Wanganui, Napier, and many othor places should be visited, and brances of the N.Z. Socialist i'arfcv formed. Write at once.