Ahoy, Watersiders!

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 72, 26 July 1912, Page 4

Ahoy, Watersiders!

TO THE WATERSIDE WORKERS OF WELLINGTON.

l'"e]low-Fedei'ationists, —

At the hour when the membership of the Federation is being tested the most the whole organisation most needs to stand solid. To be for the organisation when there is no danger is a small thing: to be for the organisation when there is danger is a big and a great thing. The cause first and discipline secondly demand that in the industrial crisis there shall be no wavering nor shuffling on the part of members.. In connection with the grumblings about the levy for the miners of Waihi and Reef ton, "remember that by the instrumentality of the Federation of Labor your wages were increased to double the. percentage you are asked to contribute to your comrades on strike and locked-out. Remember that by the instrumentality of the Federation of Labor the waterside iwott'l«?rs not only got better wages than for 20 years past, but also better all-round conditions.

Remember that you joined the Federation of Labor in allegiance to the plan and principle called Industrial Unionism —organisation by industry for the common protection! and advance-ment—-and that in so doing you recognised that an injury to one is the concern of all, and thus became active partners in the great campaign for working-class solidarity against all oppressors, all traitors, and all enemies.

Cunning efforts are being made to divide 'you by tho circulation of "yarns" regarding balance-sheets, Sample, Hlckey and otliers —and your hardupness is being used to foment an antagonism towards aiding others. But these "others" have aided you already, and in your "trouble" when it comets will aid you munificently. Than the minors of New Zealand no unions have been more generous in voting help" in> the needed hour. Your hard-upness is the state of affairs tho Federation of Labor lias come to end—per One Big Union fighting for his full product to every toiler. Federation of Labor balance-sheets are earcfnlly audited by certificated auditors and freely supplied to all affiliations. All expenditure must be sanctioned by t&e National Executive, and must be approved by national conference. The executive is representative of all industries; the conference is large and union-appointed. The Federation of Labor is "run." more economically than any organisation of simila-r size and revenue. Misrepresentation, co-eeming balance-sheets is a trick to make you suspicious and so give the foe an opening. Those w)k) are lying about Semple's salary and feeding you up Avitb mißtrust and envy, get three, few, five and more times bw weekly wage, which is £4 and not a ©eat mere. All iaXk otherwise is untrue. Mea of tbe tatee- el Semple can get •'softer snaps" by f«tr if they desert tho

working-class. You pay your member! of Parliament £6 a week, and surely should not grumble at paying less t© a« organiser worth a paddocklul of politicians.

Semple is out for you and your eIaES. He would not go for Parliament. Yon who Avant the highest wages could not afford to sweat your employees. An organiser's minimum "living wage" ii £4".

I! is true that Hickcy is not a member of the executive of the Federation, but it is also true that the executive selected him to visit Australia because he know the case for the miners who are "out."

AV'atersiders of Wellington! The actions of some of your members are causing you to be misconstrued in oliher places as reactionaries and worse. Yoh do not deserve and should not allow yourselves to be branded thus.

Repudiate tho impression some of your own are responsible for.

Officially declare your loyalty to the Federation and the men of Woihi and ltccfton.

These men are up against the foes of the workers, and are lighting, grandly for the workers.

When you, after long years of experience, decided for the Federation, you knew your own mind, didn't you? You can't be weathercocks and be respected.

Fight for the Federation. Be useful militants and stalwarts for bold and brave insistence upon, the might and power of organised industrial action.

This is straight talk for men who like straight talk.