The Mighty Atom.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 20, 21 July 1911, Page 8

The Mighty Atom.

This represents J. Fisher, member of the Executive of N.Z.F.L. Fisher resides in Denniston, and is president of the Denniston Minors' Union. A straight fighter is Fisher; he being one of those who fought against the Arbitration Court in the days when a word against it was considered madness. It siays much for his Union thiat it was the first Miners' Union in N.Z. to cancel its registration under the Act. Fisher can always be relied upon as an earnest and conscientious fighter for his Class. * * « * * W. E. Parry's reply to M. J. Reardon in the "Waihi Daily Telegraph" is most effective. Reardon says that *'for four years he has been trying to lift the laborers above the paltry shilling an hour, and during that time he has been hampered by Unions accepting these terms in spite of every protest of his." Thus Parry's crushwig rejoinder: "How much has this emancipator lifted the '.bottom dog' in four years? His advocacy has been to tie them to a Court, make them perfectly secure, with a fine hanging over their heads if they pull an ugly face at what is meted out to them knowing as he must know they are forced to take what the Judge measures out to them. . . And, in the face of this, this man tells us lie has protested against accepting what they could not refuse. . . Ties the unfortunate worker up to an institution which gives him no option but accept. . . then Mr. Readon has the presumption to use his tongue in the form of a whip to flog these men for what he himself is responsible for. Where are you M. J. Reardon? * * * W. D. Haywood, who is at present touring the United States, organising on behalf of the 1.W.W., is a typical working-class representative. He was first heard of from an obscure little mining township in Idaho. Dating from his secretaryship the Western Federation of Miners became a powerful factor in Western America. Revolutionary through and through "Big Bill" infused the same spirit in his organisation. His kidnapping and attempted murder by-the Pinkerton Detective Agency, in conjunction w ■'-•'■ the Mine Owners' Association, resulted in one of the most bitter fights between labor and capitalism that the United States has witnessed. Since his release he has devoted most of his time to lecturing, having just returned from a triumphant tour of Europe, fiavwcod looms very large in America at the present time, and Ins work is all for Industrial Unionism. * * -• * * Thus Melb. "Socialist": "New Zealand, the country that has always led the way in social reform, is now well ahead with Socialist propaganda. That talented young lecturer, Scott Bennett, still continues to attract and interest large audiences in Auckland. Walter Thomas Milis has been warmly received and has so far addressed crowded audiences ; the demand for his book is also heavy, and Comrade Ross has so raised the standard of The Maoriland Worker that it is now foremost among Australian Labor papers, and is second only to the "Clarion' in literary style. Not content with what they have "already taken from us, New Zealand workers have their eyes on Jack Curtin and Frank Hyett, and have already sounded the latter two. We are pleased to note that, although the offers made have been tempting ones, these talented comrades understand the great importance of the work that they have .but begun here." * * * Henry C. Guentermann writes this paper from Davenport, lowa, U.S.A., for information regarding his father, Jos. F. Guentermann, whom he has not seen for 16 years, and believes to be now in New Zealand. He was last heard of in Springfield, 111., where, through the non-delivery of a letter, his son arrived eight days after he had gone. Any information as to Ins whereabouts will be gratefully received at this office. ***** It's not easy to realise a Tom Mann without his moustaches. Yet To™ at latest had shed his "mo"; and the reader who has met him will be interested in comparing the looks of the Mann ho met and the Mann of now. Our English files of May bring tidings of Tom Mann's resignation as a member of the Social-Dc-

mocratic Party. He does so (he says) "partly because of the endorsement of the recent Conference of the official attitude of the Party on the subject of war, but more so because, since rejoining the Party a year ago, on my return to this country, I find mys-elf not in agreement with tho Party on the important matter of Parliamentary action." * * # * * Somo of Tony's Impressions, as chronicled by Gilrooney in Barrier "Sport" : "Yes, I -was out at the races, that is I was in at the races," remarked Tony, a« ho shouted for him-

self. "I backed four winners. In fact, I 'ad a iileasant attack of winninitis, the chief symptom of v.hich is a swelling in. the pockets, together with a swellin' in the 'cad." * * * * ''The Rebel": K*arangahake braich of the Socialist Party is making great progress and every Socialist meeting is well attended. As something for our anti-Socialist objectors to swallow it is not out of place to mention that Karangahake's most militant Socialists are business people I How does that fit m with the time-worn fallacy that Socialism would destroy all business people ? Our Karangahake comrades are taking that "risk," and don't look very care-worn either * * * # w Professor Camille Flammarion. the eminent French scientist, has lately appeared in the role of prophet. He forsees mighty changes during the next thousand years. The population of Europe will have increased, he thinks, from 375,000,000 to 700,000,000 ; that of Asia from 870,000,000 to 1.000.000,000; that of America from 120,000,000 to 150,000,000; and that of Australia 5,000,000 to 60,000,000; the grand total of the people of the world, thus rising from 1,450,000,000 to 8,360,000,000. The English language, says the Professor, will be practically universal throughout the globe, and war will disappear soon after the year 2000 has been reached, all international disputes being settled by arbitration. Kings and queens will disappear, and every country will adopt the .'republican form of government. •* * * * ■» Sirjoe unbosomed himself at a meeting of London railway magnates the other day. He talked' the usual ruffle about our railway system, and then spoke of the splendid way in which the Government treated its railway employees. He carefully avoided any reference to the brow-beating, spying, departmental terrorism, and the bumptious officialism, to say nothing olf the deliberate sweating which is driving some of our most efficient men from the railway service. He carefully avoided making any reference to the steady stream of resignations pouring into the head office of the Department. * •* #- There is some talk of Findlay contesting the Bay of Islands electorate at the forthcoming elections. Sitting member Reed may woo the intelligent in an adjoning division. After having been twice defeated Findlay wants to be able to say he represents something.