U.F. of L. in Auckland

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 8, 1 September 1913, Page 3

U.F. of L. in Auckland

Under the auspices of the United Federation of Labour and the Social Democratic Party, a wellattended meeting was held in the Opera House, Auckland, on Sunday evening, August 17th, presided over by M. J. Savage, and addressed by lI.F. of L. speakers, local and otherwise. E. Canliam led off, and claimed fliat any sound political class-move-ment must depend upon a sound industrial class-movement; that it is futile to strike at the ballot-box, unbacked by industrial organisa tion; that strikes, and strikes alone, have got the concessions the working class have ever gained. He had had occasion, he said, to criticise the tactics of certain members of the 1.W.W., but must appreciate the sacrifices these men have made. Ho solider, stauncher men exist.

W. F. Way pointed out that sympathisers with Labour, not qualified for membership of the Industrial wing, have a place in the political party, the S.D.P.

E. I. B. Allen, admitting iliat the pioneering work has been done by the 1.W.W., argued that, since the unions in the country must be brought together, it is useless to form an organisation outside the U.F. of L. The duty of a resolutionist, he stated, is to get inside and commence a moulding process. If the workers of Hew Zealand desire emancipation from the wages system, he continued, then a political party has an essential place in the Labour Movement. There comes a time, he added, when constitutionalists will act unconstitutionally. History has shown that legal methods have ahvays been attempted first, illegal methods afterwards. The Social Democratic Party, he claimed, offers a peaceful solution to social problems.

Mr. Moxam was emphatic in his detestation of the strike, but showed that it is the only remedy for injustice from which the workers have no redress. Strikes arc fomented, he said, not by Labour organisations, but by the pressure of the master class, who impose poverty upon the workers. Miss Glyde urged women workers to interest themselves in social problems.

P. H. Hickey denied any particlar section of Auckland the credit to pioneer work in Labour mat ters, and spent much energy in denouncing the United Labour Party, claiming that there is no room for more than one Labour movement in this country. Speaking on the strike clause in the constitution of the TT.F. of L., he -aid he was sorry it was so worded that the possibilities of a strike were limited. Replying to an intersection re Timaru, he claimed that if a section of the membership go out unconstitutionally, they must obey the National Executive; that if the strike be inopportune, it is the duty of the Executive to say so. and prevent disaster. An Executive cannot be expected to help workers who hop out on st’ike without consulting them. The Executive must be obeyed. T. Bloodworth pointed out that no Executive has power over a determined rank and file. 11. Scott Bennett moved that the meeting express itself satisfied vith the proposals of the IT.F. of L. W. Richards seconded, and remarked that he had faith in the policy of the lI.F. of L., though would not say that it was all good, but capable of development. He concluded that a glorious opportunity was open for the people to come together in an organisation which would advance their cause. The resolution was carried, of course.