THAMES RANK AND FILE SOLID.

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 18, 20 November 1913, Page 4

THAMES RANK AND FILE SOLID.

SHADY TACTICS BY OFFICIALS.

Last night another meeting was held in tlie Miners’ Union Hall, when addresses were delivered by Harry Melrose (strike delegate), J. Gay nor, and D. Mackler, who conducted the meeting. Displayed behind the speakers on the platform was a scarlet banner, with the following inscription: “ An Injury to One is An Injury to All, which appealed to the enthusiastic and appreciative audience. The speakers pointed out some very cold, hard facts, which were clearly explained —facts which gave the lie direct to the misleading statements made use of by the upholders of Law and Order —statements which appeared in the lying capitalistic press. Although we were allowed the use of the Union Hall, at the same time, we had to pay £1 for it. Yet Labour-Fakir Maclaren, who wished to place before the people the advantages of “Bogus Unionism/’ was not charged one penny for the use of the hall. This, no doubt, will serve to show the calibre of the union officials, who (with the exception of two or three who are solid) absolutely refuse to lend free of ,charge a hall owned by workers for the workers’ cause. Not only this, but a meeting of the Miners’ Union has been demanded by the and file to discuss the strike. This the president refused to convene. Having told the secretary that the workers would hold a meeting themselves, they were informed that whatever took place at that meeting would be illegal *—and this is a Miners’ Union!

But judging from the tone of our last two public meetings the rank and file will refuse absolutely to be dictated to by a handful of craft union officials, who are doing their best to hand over their betrayed workers, bound and gagged, into the hands of the enemy. They have decided to accept the gospel of revolt as the only check against the tyranny of capitalism right here at Thames. Industrial Union, far from being a passing mania, is going to be an accomplished fact, and is here to stay. Therefore, you wmrkers of Auckland, you workers of Wellington, in short, you workers of New' Zealand, have the militant rank and file behind you everywhere. Keep on fighting, for Industrial Organisation is at stake. You fighters for Industrial Freedom, victory is in sight. You must w in!

Yours to the last ditch, —Leo Woods.