SAILING NEAR THE WIND

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 9, 1 October 1913, Page 4

SAILING NEAR THE WIND

U.F. of L. Officials coquetting with Organised Scabbery

Brought into being by economic necessity and the steady labors of working miners and others not seeking prominence—not, as some suppose, by the organising genius of a few platform leaders—the old N.Z.F. of L., now with merged identity in the new U.F. of L., gained the support of the reds in the movement, and, by a few early and minor successes, came to be sometimes referred to as the “ Fighting ” Federation. As a matter of fact, however, the F. of L. Executive never took on, much less won, a big strike. We say the “Executive” advisediy, for, by much lip-service play on the shibboleth “An injury to one is an injury to all;” by specious promises and threats to paralyse industry; by considerable self-laudation and platform gymnastics, that froth of the economic brew: the leaders, came to be associated with all that was militant, in the Federation, while, really it is the rank and file, the local units, that have tried to put up fight to the bosses. We saw this plainly in the case of Waihi—the executive’s response was money-collecting; Huntly miners were bursting to fight and came out —only to go back with their local executive victimised, and a scab union to follow; the Auckland General Labourers, one of the biggest and most belligerent local unions in N.Z., acted fight—and was soon reduced to a skeleton; there was the Timaru affair; and now— Blackball.

The Blackball miners expected support from the district local unions. Many of the rank and file—notably the Westport watersiders—were ready to give it. But, largely through the machinations of U.F. of L. officers we find the other miners in the district working, and the watersiders loading coal for Blackball—with the sanction of, if not by orders from, the U.F. of L. officers. The Federation leaders, with a big organisation behind them, for years talked fight, and when it came their way they said: “Wait for the wool on the sheep’s back.” When the wool grew there was too much coal above ground. When the coal was low and the wool high the time wasn’t ripe; and when the local unionists thought the time was ripe the national leaders said: “Wait till we organise.” No one will deny that these leaders have been factors in bringing large groups of workers together; but what for? To scab on each other? Who the hell wants “unity” without solidarity? Wait while the wool is on the sheep’s back. Bah! Wait while the sheep cease to be sheep. The U.F. of L. officers are playing a queer game. Drifting, drifting, and local stalwarts all over the country are growing a bit impatient—and Webb, the ex-president of the late F. of L., is in Parliament.