INSIDE HISTORY OF THE STRIKE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20039, 24 March 1914, Page 7

INSIDE HISTORY OF THE STRIKE.

•MR. MASSEY AND THE "RED

FEDS."

(Per Press Association.* HOKITIKA, March 22

In sneaking on Saturday evening to a large audience here, the Prime Mm ister threw an interesting side-light on the Strike Confereriee. which failed to secure a settlement of the recent difficulty in its early stages. "We held conferences," he sa;.d, "over which I presided, but we <«o<irl noi secure any agreement, and you would not I*) surprised that we failed if you had heard some of the things that were said to me in that conference. I was toid that if I did not secure a settlement' within two or three days, Then the streets of Wellington would run red with blood; that the red flag of Socialism would fly over Parliament Buildings, and that New Zealand would be the first Socialistic Republic of the wrrld. Of course." added the Prime Minister, " this was all 'hot air,' and no attention was paid to it. It shows, however, how impossible it had been to complete satisfactory negotiations. *; [Mr Massey further condemned the "vanity, stupidity, and obstinacy" of the strike leaders, who sadly misled their men, and said that the worst enemies of New Zealand were men who were trying to ferment difficulties between employer and employee. If the country was to progress at all. this would have to be dropped, and both sides work together for tho good cf the grand littl«country in which we lived. These references to the strike were heartily endorsed by the meeting, which specially applauded the enunciation of the Government's intention to maintain law and order at all costs.