KARANGAHAKE NOTES.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 23, 11 August 1911, Page 14

KARANGAHAKE NOTES.

FEDERATION GAINING GROUND* SUPPORT FOR HICKEY. ' Since last Avriting matters here/in. Connection Avith the question of affiliat-" ing with/the N.Z.F.L. have advanced/ another step. At the annual meeting/ of the local branch of the Thames 1 Miners' Union, held' last Saturday,' it Avas decided to make a further effort to induce the Thames executive to take a ballot of the whole of the members; and Chairman Harry Marshal, Secretary Mick Marrinan, and George Jobson Avere deputed to attend the Thames annual meeting' on the folloAving Monday for the purpose of again urging Karangahake's claims to have the' question- put to a ballot. This they did; with /the result that, on the vote" being put to the meeting; not 1 a. dissentient voice Avas :raised against the proposal.- Naturally, Karairgahakio membeis are elated with the successof their efforts/ and little^fear' of the outcome - of the ballot, Avhich 5 they tip -will be greatly in favour of linking up.At the Conclusion; of the local meeting a A r ote in favour of supporting/ the Federation's candidate for ' Parliament at the iiext general'election. Avas carried by acclamation. Mr. Leach, in the course of a short address, • urged those present to vote solid for their class. This was-going to be a class fight, the first in the annals, of NeAV Zealand's history, he thought, and success for the' workers could only come. _by solidarity at the ballot: box.' Mr'-Ciavis also spoke 'in a.similar strain, stating that it should* -be a matter of duty—duty to tneir class—to return Mr. Hickey, the Fed-' oration's "candidate, to Parliament. The Socialist Party here is making great strides, new members enrolling eA-ery meeting; We are hoav 40 strong and "some, of the members are determined it shall reach the 100 mark before long. ,It is the" sole subject of •discusisio.n in the : toAA m , and'can be met Avith in the mines, boardinghouses and in the streets. One board-ing-house, containing oA r cr 20 ' boarders is almost completely converted, Avhilstj a number, of others are becoming in-' fected. . .We'start a speaker's class next and ere long hope to have quite a feAv members of taking the stump; which' ?s also in contemplation, -■•in- vieAV of the forthcoming political campaign. Most of the members are eagerly- • looking forAvard - to that time, and I predict that there Avaged a more stubborn fight in this district' than it' will turn out to be.—KING BOLT.