THE LATE JOHN NORTON.

NZ Truth, Issue 570, 20 May 1916, Page 8

THE LATE JOHN NORTON.

Dear "Truth."— l wrlto with sorrow on the. death of our great friend. John Norton, the friend of the poor and opprousctd of Australasia. No man throughout the English - speaking world has boon m so many contests as tho renowned John Norton. God bless him : may he bo recompensed In tho next world, to make up for the poor treatment accorded him In this wowser world. 1 hope that you have In your mind's eye tho neccHftlty of calling on the workers of Australasia to erect a monument to him. It would be a stu. pld blundor not to show our appreciation of his dlntntcrtsatod services to mankind. The victories ho has won against tho corrupt rendering of our Law aro stamped on our literature for tho future leader of tho democracy of our raco to quoto and act up io. Now Is an opportune time for your papers to call upon the worker In every town to unite, and bury their difference* and eorao to some noble resolvo to do something to perpetuate the memory of John Norton- And what better would hold bis memory irreen Jn our hearts than a noble resolve to preach unity and love for o»e another, having ever before Ujoir mind that an Injury to tho humblsct U an injury to us aIL" Let

us carry out the great principles of our departed patriot, plunge right into the fight, and right any . wrong done to the poor. Oh, for another Norton to show up. Tour papers throughout Australasia have a great power m directing the aims of the labor organi^ltions, therefore let them preach incessantly, unity, for without unity we cannot hope to win. We forget that we are losing time. We see every little coterie of workers led by some of their would-be leaders and orators, taking a different view of the other party, and denouncing his views, and on polling day a split vote is recorded. All these should be put to one side and let leaders be put m their places who will preach love and forbearance, towards one another. Tou will find m time that men who put themselves m the front without trying to unite m a body are our greatest enemies. I must say good, bye to our great friend, John Norton, and may he rest m peace. .Leit every leader adopt his mode of trying to right the poor and oppressed. Norton's failings are forgotten and his great deeds will live for ever and ever. — Yoiirs. eta, AXE AXE. Te Mata, Auckland.