The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY] THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1914.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXV, Issue 5620, 28 May 1914, Page 2

The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY] THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1914.

How often is it the case that men are the last to recognise that they are deservedly held in contempt by their fellows. The United Federation of Labour appears to be in this position, otherwise they would not have courted the stinging reply of the Obinemuri Mines and Batteries Employees, which we published in Tuesday's issue. The Federation invited the union to be present and take part in a conference to tak l3 place in Wellington next July. The object is given as "combining the forces of labour and to adopt a common line of political action." The Federation must think the unionists have very short memories and have forgotten their disastrous leading only some two ..years back. It is now recognised, and confessed, that the strike was not justifiable from any point of view. Fools, indeed, after such an experience, would he the unionists if Jhey again placed themselves under the control of the firebrands and strike promoters who had once led them to ignominious defeat. They have not forgotten the dire straits to which they and their wives and children were brought. The recognised strike pay even was not forthcoming. To quote from the letter under review: "Now that the Federation finds its funds depleted, its membership pitifully weak, its influence a laughing stock, and finds that the general public is not only unsympa-" thetic, but hostile, to its anarchical revolutionary I.W.W. teachings and practices, it crawls with ludicrous pleadings under the pretext ot successfully protecting the mutual interests of organised labour." The letter concludes by tendering a little wholesome advice: "Let us advise you not to interfere with men who arc sincere in their endeavours to do their duty to their fellow-men without the hope of personal gain, and to work in harmony for the mutual advantage of all concerned." The letter throughout is eminently refreshing, but the most pleasing feature in it is that it evidences, in the first place, that the legitimate trades unions are alive to the machinations of'the leaders of the 1.W.W., and that the strike should not be resorted to except under the most aggravating circumstances.