AN APPEAL TO THE WATERSIDERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1907, 15 November 1913, Page 8

AN APPEAL TO THE WATERSIDERS.

(To tho Editor.) AVe have been asked to publish the following appeal from a working man :— Dear Watersiders,—Were not some of you individually ■ interviewed at the Rimutak'a just before tho striko, and plainly asked if you were in favour of going out? And what is your answer? :Were you not every one of you against it? Did not some of you say that the wages and conditions under which you work were never better? Then why this foolish striko? Now, men, if you wish to save yourselves and your families from poverty and starvation, and this fine young country from rack and ruin, bo up and doing. Cut out of your ranks those rioting, reckless Socialists that are ruining the workingman's cause—choose for yourselves men as leaders that command respect: men that can face your employer with every chance of bringing about conditions to your advantage. Men, havo some pluck; never mind being called a "scab." . What is a scab ? In the eyes of all decent people it is one who is not afraid to work, or, in other words, a non-Socialist. Remember the Brisbane and Sydney tram strikes —what happened? Num- • bers of employees lost- their billets in Brisbane, while in Sydney tho men turned around on their leaders and chased them, who, in turn, were compelled to draw their revolvers for their own-bodily protection. These aro the men who aro informing you it is tho intention of the employer to crush unionism—don't believe it, men, it's a deliberate lie. Did not ono of the Red Feds, say you must have a strike ■ now and again to keep you from getting rusty? That's a beautiful statement, is it not? What do you think-of it, men? Are you to bo pulled out of work—your wives and children to suffer just to satisfy men of this class, who profess to have tho working man's cause at heart? Don't wait, men, until the bread is taken out of your mouths by new arrivals. Havo you not noticed that another hundred workers have arrived by the Warrimoo? They will get what is by right undoubtedly yours j so bo up and doing before it is too late. If this striko continues, what must result? Reason, men, for yourselves. Will it not mean a heavy falling off of. imports during tho winter months? Ask yourselves who will suffer during those long, cold winter months, waterside worker or soap-box Socialist, and I think you will agrco with mo it won't bo the reckless non-working Socialist, who bleeds the workiiigman for his own gain. Romomber, men, had you taken a secret ballot you would havo saved yourselves this misfortune. What happoned to some of those firebrands in Australia? Were they not imprisoned? Did labour flock to meet them on their discharge, 'full of sympathy? No. Tho result was they made for New Zealand, and havo almost succeeded in bringing about civil war —tho country marching on tho cities. Let these men know they are not wanted in Now Zealand, and get to work, for if you don't you will soon pay the , price of foolishness. —I am, etc., ■-' BLUE rETEII. November 14, 1913.