WE ARE GOING TO WIN!"

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1272, 30 October 1911, Page 5

WE ARE GOING TO WIN!"

AUCKLAND STRIKE. MASS MEETING OF SYMPATHISERS. OUTSIDE LABOUR SUH'ORT, (Bj Telceranli.—Press Association.) Auckland, October 2!). Tlio labourers who are out on strike, sympathetic unionists, a fair sprinkling of women, and others curious to witness what was happening, assembled to the number of about 151)0 in tho vicinity ot tho Grey Statue yesterday, where ft demonstration was licit) in connection with the trouble now proceeding. A strong posro of ]>oliro was sent along by the authorities to keep a restraining hand on any j>ossiblo disorder, but their services were not noccssary. -Mr. ]'. Frnser, president of the Labourel's' Union, was tho first speaker. Do regarded the large crowd of workers present as evidence of the fact that the tight of tho labourers against the obnoxious system of sub-contracting was a light of t'lio workers generally. It showed, too, that the troublo was not being manipulated by a few of (ho officials onlv. _ At the present moment calmness and judgment wero required. It was no( a moment to let enthusiasm loose, and they wanted nothing that would Ir.'ul to lawlessness. (Applause.)' Mr. Semplo had counselled tile men on tho previous day that nothing could b? done by rashness, that drink should bo left alone, and their brains kept clear because brains wero needed to fight and to win. "And wc aro going to win,'' he declared, arousing a storm of applause. Mr. F. Arns, secretary, put in a plea £cr the older toilers, lie said that day after day lie was receiving applications from local lxidies and private employers asking that; the men who were showing a grey hair should have permission to work for os. or Us. a day. (Groans and hooting.) Mr. J. O'Brien submitted a mot ion i— "That this mass meeting of the workers emphatically protests against permitting sub-contracting on tho drainage works, believing the system to bo opposed to the interests of the workers, inasmuch as in it is embodied tho worst features of the competitive and sweating system, and calls on tho Drainage Board to take immediate steps to prevent all such in the future." Mr. R, Somple, federation organiser, explained that the strike of the drainage workers had been extended in accordanco with modern industrial warfare, -and declared that the New Zealand Federation of Lnlxrar was with them in this struggle. He had the assurance of the executive that they would back them tip and fight it out to a finish. (Loud applause.) Do said there were hundreds of things tho Federation of Labour had done for the workers, and they would yet wipo out all the things that made tho workers serfs. (Anplame.)

Mr. A. Rosier (Tramways TTjiion) remarked that the principle involved was a righteous one, and the Drainage Board only needed backbone to grant it. The tramway men had passed a resolution of sympathy and he convoyed it to tho Labourers' Union by his nrescnco there. (Applause.) Mr. 0. M.oson (vice-president) said there had been threats of victimisation. There would be no such thin?. A settlement would not be effected 'unless all the men who went out in obedience to the union were reinstated in their former riositions. lie would sooner hang himself 011 tho nearest Intnp-riovt than consent to any individual suffering through loyalty to the union.

Tho motion was submitted to the vote on a show of hands, and was received with unanimous favour. There were no hands showinj in enpos'tion. and loud cheering accompanied the verdict, cheers also being given for industrial solidarity and for the New Zealand Labour Federation. The crowd dispersed quietly.