N.Z. ORGANIZER

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 10, 1 November 1913, Page 3

N.Z. ORGANIZER

September 19th, I arrived Greymouth after uneventful trip through Otira Gorge. Next day walked to Runanga, made arrangements for on Wednesday, 24th. Met a few rebels Saturday, who fixed up other meetings. Had meeting Runanga Wednesday, H. Coppersmith presiding over a fair crowd. I had to answer a good few questions, and sold a good deal of mental dynamite. Previous to meeting we distributed dodgers at the mine mouth. Runanga seems sleepy—suppose it's the effects of recent Parliamentarianism. Even U.F.L, organiser can't get crowd of more than 60. Fellow-Worker Coppersmith rendered me help and hospitality. The following Friday I departed for Blackball, found a live wire, W. Bromilaw, who had engaged a hall for me. Things are mixed in this home of sterling industrialists. They don't seem elated about the recent “victory." They don't seem pleased about the way they were treated by the “ big guns " in Wellington. I had a fine meeting Sunday, I. met with a fine reception, the pile of literature was further reduced. Monday I went to Paparoa, two miles up the mountain —where agitators are seldom heard. Under chairmanship of H. Knight, of the Paparoa Miners’ Union, I talked on Industrialism and Sabotage—from a box, with a crowd on the hotel verandah. Literature sold well. I.W.W. dope appeals to the coast miners. Later I departed for Waiuta, per medium of train and bus, and was fixed by F. W. Parrott for a meeting on the Sunday night, P. Seholland, T. Stanbridge, J. Bond, and D. Jones, Direct Actionists. Sunday we had a large meeting, and Waiuta got hours of it, they bought every scrap of literature I had with me, 28/- worth. Monday, October 6, I left for Reefton, via Ikamatua. I stayed there a day. On my arrival at Westport A. Coleman came down from Denniston to see me and arrange a lightening tour of the Buller district. Then on I was kept busy. I started with the West-

port Watersiders on Friday, 9th, at 8 a.m. We had an hour’s meeting with a very large audience. This is one of the most militant waterside unions in New Zealand, and has an agreement which says there shall be no “ royals ■’ and no victimisation of militants. The secretary says the wages are totalled and averaged periodically, and that every man gets his share of work. Other waterfront unions should do this —by direct action. I sold 70 “ I.U.’s ”to this bunch. Saturday afternoon J. Price came down from Millerton, and with a bunch of rebels we had a large,open-air meeting. The crowd was attentive and took to I.W.Wism. This district will be hot soon.

We caught the 9 train to Granity, and climbed up,to Millerton. We had a good, attentive crowd there Sunday night. There are live wires there who want something mor eattractive than nose counting. Monday I had a meeting at Ngakawau, where the miners are on strike. It looks like being another long-drawn-out strike. The meeting was good. 1 dished up the intermittant and irritation strike. Whether it will eventuate in another “ victory ” time will tell. Anyway, here’s luck to the boys, they are worthy of a fighting organisation.

Tuesday I missed the train to Seddonville, walked the nine miles in a downpour, found Direct Action J. Cummings, and had a meeting. The crowd was small, but willing. Next day I climbed Denniston Hill, anchored at Mr. Fisher’s, who was in the “’9O” strike. At night I found the ' push,” they took me to Burnett’s Face, and I had a splendid meeting. Met “ Billy Banjo ” and the starling boys from the district. Next night I had a meeting at the Volunteer Hall, Denniston, but a dense fog made a less crowd than might have been, but it was good, and shows the trend of things. 1 am now in Westport, have Cape Foulwind to visit, two meetings in Westport to hold, and then for Nel-