Twenty Reasons Why Reefton Miners Should be Supported.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 67, 28 June 1912, Page 3

Twenty Reasons Why Reefton Miners Should be Supported.

Twenty reasons why the lockod-out men at Reofton should receive tho support of evory unionist and overy jus-tioe-loving citizen in tho land: — (1) Because tho introduction of single-handed drills in the Reefton mines would result in an enormous increase in accidents. (2) Because tho vibration caused by tho "popper" in a rotten roof like that at Roefton means the jeopardising of the life of overy man foolish enough to endeavor to work the drill singlehanded. (3) Because the dust and grit generated by the operations of tho machine could not be effectively kept down by any automatic attachment. (4) Because to allow one man to operate the machine single-handed in the deep, dusty mines of Roefton would mean an enormous increase in pulmonary disoases. (5) Because already the death-rate, from lung diseases in the Reefton district is higher than elsewhere, due mninlv to tho ramifications of miners' complaint. (0) Because medical evidence goes to prove that miners' complaint in its later stages is contagious, whole families being known to have been, wiped out as a result of the husband and father contracting the disease in the bowels of the earth. (7) Because human life and health should be worthy of far more consideration tlian the pockets of absentee divi-dend-grabbers. (8) Boc.fiuse tho looke«f-out miner has too muoh love and respect for his family, and too much respect for his own life, to blindly rush in and injure himself and injure them to satisfy the ambitions of some imported South African exploiter of cheap Chinese or Kaffir labor. , (0) Because a distinct bronc.li of faith with the Minors' Union has boon committal by the Consolidated Company's representatives. (10) Because the inherent law of selfpreservation in every human being rises in revolt agninst the arbitrary efforts of the exploiting class to dye more deeply still with human sweat and blood the gold wrung from the bowels of the earth by toiling minora. (11) Because at the bottom of tho struggle is a desire on the part of tho itiiiic-ownors to crush the Inangahna "Union, so that the miners of (that field will be practically helpless to combat further indignities. (\1) Because the Consolidated management will have to be taught that that wbieh works "satisfactorily ninoiig Chinese or Kaffirs of tho South African' compounds will not work aniong intelligent, organised workers. (VA) Because if the cmploving-elass are successful in ending the career of the Miners' Union by breaking its back t.n this issue, it will Ik> reflected in the Labor movement as a whole. (14) Because every union thnt refuses to assist the lockod-out men is doing its best to drive them back into the bowels of tlie enrth to court death and disaster by working on the bosses terms. (Jo) Because it is the duty of the whole of organised Labor to rally around any section of its army that happens to be in grips with the mr.s-ter-olass. ... .. (16) Because without that solidarity in time of trouble the mnst««r-olass can crush IV forces of Labor section by section whilst comrades stand idly by. (17) Because nil flic talk about an army of Labor is just talk and nothing ♦•Ise if those who comprise it are not prepared to assist in a common fight when needs be. (15) Because (lie men at Mcefton have never hesitated to render financial assistanr-e to their comrades whenever they have been asked, Itoing indeed most generous in this respect. (19) Because if there is no danger from vim "popper ,, drill. Evans, with a contingent of his capitalistic and hoodlo-griiohing friends, ought to crawl down into the. bosom of the earth some 11>on f<*efc or more and show the misguided miner liow to work. (10) Because the fact of .Beefton men saving the work is highly injurious to life and limb should be sufficient evidence of the justness of their altitude, in tlie eves of every person who has oven a rudimentary knowledge of union principles.