THE NATIONAL REVOLT.

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 17, 18 November 1913, Page 2

THE NATIONAL REVOLT.

FROM THE WEST COAST CAMPS.

NO SURRENDER,

(By T. H. E. Marseillaise.)

Here's to the day of revolutionary rank and Hie! What verve surges through the rebels to witness the magnigcent revolution shaking the economic foundations of New Zealand.

The germ of rebellion has been growing with marked, almost miraculous vigour since the pathetic ending of the struggle at W aihi and Huptly mines full twelve months ago, and now the battalions of toil have arisen with, determination and inspiration on their brows, and again the attempt of laws, penalties, union rules, constitutions, officials, parliament, and all other civic inovations have been ruthlessly and rudely brushed aside by the rising, thick sinned, raw brained, founder and builder of empires—-the '.struggling proletariat.

A week ago last Tuesday the Deimiston Miners passed a memorable resolution, sending fraternal greetings to Iluntly pick-swingers, assuring them that the Hill men would stand loyally by them, and calling upon all miners to make common cause; recommending the National Executive of the F.O.L. to utilise the whole working class forces to bring about a complete victory for the Waikato men.” Huntly had been on strike for nine days, and looked somewhat deserted.

The Westport Wafer si ders had an uneasy day on Wednesday. They had loaded a boat for Auckland with coal, against their wishes, pending a reply from the National Executive F.O.L. When the reply came to the port the boat had left, and was over the bar. On Thursday other boats appeared, so also had the telegram from Denniston calling the slogan of common cause, and not to be again caught handling cargo for strike and scab area, and determined to engage in the fight, they tied up the port. On Triday Miller!on replied to Denniston that they were out for common cause, and Denniston on Sat urday had the same reply from other camps. By the Denniston and' Watersi ders of Westport urging the workers to answer the fighting roll call, the crimson flag of industrial revolt was sent up over the working class battlefields.

The Duller is magnificently organised for a bitter fight. Strike Committees, with full outfits, have been set moving in all locals, and a representative Strike Committee of the Duller is stationed in Westport, the nerve centre of the Duller coal camps. Grey has been conferred

with. In Westport especially many apparently impossible happenings have eventuated. The situation is uiider the complete control of the Strike Committee. Let me advance some items of note: — There is no work except by permission of the Commtitee. A load of chaff was put into the railway trucks in defiance of the Bailway Department’s regulations, and two tons were consigned to Denniston Miners’ Union for their horses. A boat subsidised by the Government came in for blinkers, but because the Committee refused it had to nose over the bar, as it came in with all the skipper’s threats and hints of mysterious strength. Another boat was not allowed to berth until the strikers knew what it had come for. They sheltered it, and got the sailors to a meeting of unionists. Gave the business folks instructions, which they are carrying out. The Harbour Board chairman, ex-Labour aspirant for political honours, promising “Reform ” /hope, gave the tug orders to get ready to sail for Wellington by 11 a.m. The Committee put up a sailing notice, “ Hot to sail. By order of the Committee,” and the civic father had to * accept conditions of Strike Committee before a wheel could move. It sailed in the afternoon, under command of the President of Watersiders and President of General Labourers, and could only come back with their permission. These are a few of the happenings. The Bailway Department is extremely anxious over pins being pulled from the loaded coal trucks, and the cutting of gear on staiths along the waterfront. Complains loudly over expense, multiplication of labour, and speak of dismantling the whole show. The Denniston Miners, who responded to the call to come to the port, made a lasting impression. Marched down through the streets four abreast. One of the hill breed left a fierce-some-looking baton in the truck,' which caused considerable consternation. Billy Banjo gave the hill men a warm welcome, and extended the freedom of the city to the distinguished visitors. These men mean business.

Keep an eye on the Coast. Will send notes regularly from the Wild West. Arrangements are being made to charter a boat under supervision and control of the Strike Committee. We are interested as to results. It is hoped to get foodstuffs through ..he other Strike Committees in the centres. The Coast men and women are determined, foodstuffs or no foodstuffs, that there shall be no compormise, and no surrender. No surrender is the pulse of our lives. there will be a bitter, determined struggle before the Coast goes under. The revolution will be a red one here, if necessary.