MINERS' FEDERATION

Maoriland Worker, Volume 6, Issue 244, 20 October 1915, Page 4

MINERS' FEDERATION

R. SEMPLE'S REPORT. Since my last report to "The Worker," I havo visited the North Island, arriving in Huntly on September 25. I was to havo addressed a public meeting on tho Sunday night following, but on aoount of contracting a severe cold on the journey to Auckland I was unable to keep the engagement, aud the meeting was postponed l.iil the following Wednesday, when tho Miners' Hall was well filled, and tho Huntly Orchestra gave several selections, which were very much appreciated, and also had a cheerful influenco on tho meeting. 1 addresesd a union meeting on the Thursday night, which was well attended. I ajn delighted to report that the Hiintly Miners' Union is once moro clean, and in the hands of capable officers. The executive is composed <.f sterling unionists, all of whom are well-informed on Labor matters. Both the executive and the rank and file axe solid for Federation, thus proving that no policy of despotism can crush the determination of men to unite with their follows in the battle for right against might. Never has a group of industrial workers been subjected to such cruel and callous treatment at the hands of the "captains of industry" and a Tory Government as has this Union, but despite it all they are determined to take their place in the vanguard of human progress. On tho Sunday night 1 was to havo spoken, a determined effort was made to burn down the Miners' Hall. The history of this hall is to be published in "The Worker," so I will not go into details. Suffice tofcaythtitit was built by the old Waikato Union, which Union has been kept intact by a few loyal supporters. The hall is controlled by a management committee of that Union. During the strike period in Huntly and also the period the Union was in the control of the bogus executive, desperate efforts were made to capture the hall from tho old Union. Despite all this the management committee has survived, and to-day the hall is a splendid paying proposition, and has become the centre of attraction.

On Sunday, October 3, I spoko in the Globe Theatre to a packed audienco, under tho auspices of the Auckland S.D.P. It was a groat meeting, one that gives encouragement and strength to a Labour agitator to go en with the fight. I met many of our best "warriors in Auckland, including Bill Parry, bill is running a little business, but to mc he seems like a fish out of water; it is a tragedy to see such men as Parry out of the firing line.

My next visit was to Glen Massey, whore I held a very successful union meeting. I renewed my acquaintance with many prominent unionists who were victimised in different parts c-f N.Z. as tho result of the 1913 strike. The presence of such men is sufficient guarantee as to the strength and character of the Union. It was my intention to visit Whangarei district, but on making inquiries I. concluded that It would be wise to abandon the idea till my next visit.

While in the North I discovered that a circular had beoii issued to tho police, catling upon them to make enquiries regarding the doings of trade unionists. A second circular was issued, which contained the following: ''It is rumoured hero that tho trades ■unions have purchased large quantities of firearms and ammunition in anticipation of the passing of regulations restricting their eale." This is a wilful and cowardly effort to try and blacken the character of tho trades unionists of this Dominion, without the slightest provocation. My name was mentioned in tho first circular referred to. As. a result I ha.vo come in for special attention, but I am not at all alarmed, nor do I care a snap of my fingers for tho cowards who issue such orders, or for those who are called upon to do their dirty work. Personally, I have done or said nothing , that calls for. such treatment. Along with others, I have denounced and will continuo to denounce tho food thieves who are lining their pockets as a result of this dreadful war, and who are fattening on tho misery of the heartbroken mothers and fathers whose sons have spilt their blood on the heights of Gallipoli. I have contended—and do still contend-that no person should, lie permitted to extort one penny piece extra in the form of profits from the people during the war. Any Government which permits such to bo done is the arch-enemy of the people, and the persons who enrich themselves are traitors, and should be punished for their crime It is true there is Labour unrest in this country, and those responsible for it are the food pirates and the Fusion Government. AVo havo had a few months of the Fusion Government, and what has-it done to relieve the suffering of the overtaxed and underfed wageworkers of this country? N6thing; but, on tho contrary, its policy has further enslaved them, and had it not been for tho splendid work of McCombs and Webb and other Labour members in tho House we would have found ourselves further enslaved. The bare necessities of life are being denied the lower-paid wage-workers today. Some of our city workers receive on an averago about 30s. a week; they havo to pay out of that ou an average from 12s. to 16s. per week house rent. How does a family live on this paltry pittanco ? The fact is they do not live: they just don't die; and if a Labour agitator dares to speak out for them, if ho dares to expose those who are responsible for this misery, he is branded as a pro-German, a traitor to his country, and the police are called ujwn to hound him down. But if half a dozen Flour Kings meet in secret conclave, and levy a toll upon the people of £1,000,000 for one year's war profits on tho people's bread nlone, strnmro to say tbero aro no orders given to the police -to hunt tboso economic bushrangers down; they are not called proGermans: they are termed successful business men, good patriots, and Christians. What is true of our flour supply is true of every other commodity. Tho same hate that exists agr.inst •the Labour agitator who dares io fipoak again&t the .-nav&r-. that b» i» poured.

out against "The MaoriJand Worker," the only paper that dares to expose i the mock patriotism of the economic bushrangers who try to cover their thieving policy by the flapping of flags and tho singing of "God Save the King," while- at the ramo time they are diving their fleshy lingers into his. subjects' pockets. I appeal to the workers to rally to the support of their paper, and do everything humanly possible to assure its success. Depend upon it, when it is earning the hatred and condemnation of the enemies of Labour, it is doiug yood work for you. B. SEMI'LE.