THE FEDERATION OF LABOUR

West Coast Times, 13 June 1912, Page 1

THE FEDERATION OF LABOUR

(To the Editor)

Sir, —A Wellington paper has been handed to me which contains the following words

“The Council of the Federation of Labour, sitting in Wellington, is putting up a cruel bluff on tho workers of Waihi. These unfortunate people arc suffering keenly because of tho idleness which has been forced upon them by tho busy bodies who precipitated the strike. Tho miners affected seem to have been treated with contempt throughout. Not only arc they not consulted, but they are not permitted to know what their masters, the Federal Council, has in contemplation.” The fact is that a huge mistake has been made. A secret ballot on the question of the strike should have been taken. The oft-repeated words “magnificent solidarity,” simply mean “magnificent blind obedience.” Cannot the men sec that so long as they lire under tho dictates of the Federation, so long will they he in continual trouble ? Where has the property of the Union gone, and where is its money —money worked for by tho toilers ? In tho balance sheet of tho Federation of Labour ending December, 1911, there wore such significant items as; Organiser’s salary, 54 {weeks £216, travelling allowance £125, travelling expenses £9O 17s 6d; or a grand total of £431 17s 7d for tho organiser in one year. The whole of tho expenditure in connection with the Federation affairs amounted to the largo sum of £2.750 3s sd, all out of the pockets of the workers. The item of £531 Is 9d, delegates’ expense's to the conference Is astonishing. In the face of all this are not the Waihi men worse off than ever ? How long will the workers remain blind ? He is being hoodwinked all the time, but cannot see it. Wake up and think for yourselves.—l a n etc., T. A. SANDERSON.