Form Propaganda Branches

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

Form Propaganda Branches

Developments in Australia and New Zealand, particularly tlie latter, during the past eighteen months, have plainly shown the pressing need for a general spread of more up-to-date ideas of Industrial Unionism. The disastrous consequences of too much centralisation of control and too little centralisation of force, due largely to leaving things in the hands of a few leaders, have been driven home time after time. Signs are not wanting, however, that a militant minority is going to take the place of the present handful of leaders. Intelligent rank-and-file men are expresisng themselves dissatisfied with the tactics and general conduct of labour officials, and the need is felt in many directions for a medium through which the growing minority of militants can make themselves heard, and their active assistance in the class struggle felt. Many would like to come together in local groups not connected with any political party, but are denied the opportunity in existing organisations, and lack initiative themselves. Nothing can meet this requirement so well as local propaganda branches of the I.W.W. The N.Z. administration will issue a charter for a local union, upon receipt of 12 signature of actual wage-workers who agree to abide by the Constitution. An organiser will be sent to any district by arrangement.

The trade unions foster a a state of affairs which allows one set of workers to be pitted against another set of workers in the same industry.