IN THE SQUARE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1888, 24 October 1913, Page 8

IN THE SQUARE.

SPEECHES OF THE DEMAGOGUES. Whilst tho time was passed pleasantly enough in the waiting-room during the da}'j another crowd held n meeting in .tho Post Office Square, tho tone of which was entirely sympathetic with tho men that are out. One glib speaker stated introducturily that ho had only just come' up from the Coast by the Arahura, and was not a member of the Waterside Workers' Union, but claimed a right to address the public as a financial member of the I.W.W. (Independent Workers of the World), Ho placed stress on the valuo of organisation. (A voice: "That's where you come in, I suppose!") There were lots of unions nowadays, said the speaker, but that did not say that the organisation was perfect. Nearly every man had a. union ticket, but that did not say ho was well organised—it only proved that ho was on# of tho workers. A voica: "When did you do any work last?" "Me—oil, my last work' was in going out to Capo Foulwind to address a mooting, and getting hack on a 'jigger' ! What I Bay is that you should all organise for all you're worth, otherwise you'll liovor win tho fight against the employer class." •Tho next speaker had a foreign accent, and admitted that he was not a waterside worker. advico to ffie strikers was to -let tho city know they were out on strike. "Go to your room there, and get out your banner that is dusty and trampled on. Clean it up n bit, and havo a procession through tho jitreota between 12 and 1 p.m. Tom • '

morrow. That is the way t.o get sympathy, and to show that you are all uniteu, and prepared' to stand against tho oppressor.' I am not speaking to vou because I have anything to gain. I do not want any political favour or official position, but you must show the people that you aro all together ill this strike!" A voice: "But aro wo?" "Go and get out your banner. It is all very well to have the band playing all flay in tho donkey room, but you get sick of that. If you had pudding every minute of tho day you would got sick-of it! And there's tho Strike Committee up there doing nothing. What I want to say Ts —have a procession I" (Laughter and applause).