Its Coming!

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 7, 1 August 1913, Page 2

Its Coming!

Ever since the name “ 1.W.W.” and the tern militant unionism” became known in N.Z. there have been all sorts of vague hints and threats floating through the daily press in regard to deporting soapbox agitators and stopping “ irresponsible” street speakers. On one occasion the matter was mentioned in Parliament, and there was talk of special action to deal with an I.W.W. man who was alleged to have advocated “ popping the popper” whilst conducting an economic class. We now find a police sergeant with the impudence to advise the police department to put a stop to street speaking, and a bill being considered in the “ House” which aims at preventing free speech and picketing in times of strike. All this indicates that the master class are in a horible state over the bogey I.W.W.ism, which haunts their dreams' of profit and surplus value, and that they would like to try methods a little more Russian, and, in fact, are contemplating such a move even now, but are treading warily because they are afraid.

Anyway, the I.W.W. is ready to resist any attempt to suppress free speech, whether the socialists, antimilitarists and others interested are or not, for it is evident that sooner or later the game will be tried.

The I.W’.s have nothing to lose and nothing to fear.