Globe Hill Items

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 10, 12 May 1911, Page 6

Globe Hill Items

The Labour movement in this part has been somewhat astir of late. Wβ have had a few lecturers here from different parts, expressing their views aa to the settlement of the social problem. First, one tells us that we must be educated in politics and capture the Government reins at once; then the other tells us that the time is not opportune as the workers to-day do not understand the struggle they are engaged in, and in the face of this political action would mean downfall and disaster. Taking political action without an educated rank and file I also believe would be disastrous. The first thing is to find ways and means of going into business together, and of earning our livings from our own resources. We must bring clear heads and stout hearts to this grand work. Men and women want bringing together. Wβ must dispossess ourselves of the idea that the platform of the Socialist Party is too revolutionary, and that the system will right itself. Let the wageearners recognise that all our interests are identical —whether miner, shearer, labourer, enginedriver, fitter, or whatever industry we are engaged in. Let us leave the old method of organising ourselves into sectional unions, come to a common understanding, join hands and bring about one great Federation of Labour throughout New Zealand. The miners of Reefton are bound to that capitalistic Court called the Arbitration Court, which wo must agree is only a red herring drawn across the path of the workers. But I think when the time expires it will be "good-bye Arbitration Court.'' I wish your paper the greatest of success, and that we own and control a paper proves conclusively the rapid strides and educational work that have been done by the Federation of Labour/ which is only in its infancy.—E. W. Griffin.