The Growth of Socialism in Waihi

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 26, 1 September 1911, Page 8

The Growth of Socialism in Waihi

By "THE REBEL."

Like the babbling brook of poetic fame, the growth of Socialism goes ever onward. Teachers come a.nd teachers go, leaving always in their train an ever-increasing number of social students of the greatest movement in the history of humanity. Gradually the outposts of ignorance are being broken down, gradually, yet withal plainly, discernible, is the crumbling away of a;n.tiquated ideas, traditions aaid customs. The education of the. masses has always been a gigantic, almost Herculean task, but despite obstacles innumerable —despite the ingrained prejudices of what we an© pleased to call our "Saxon ancestors" —th© realisation of o<ur aims is now within measurable distance.

When we come to look back over the past, we cannot but be struck by the amount of work whicli lias been don© by men and women- who, alas! in far too many cases, occupy nameless graves. The memory of those self-sacri-ficing pioneers is too often forgotten, but the work they performed will ever live as evidence of their enthusiasm and earnestness.

The work to-day is hard, undeniably bard, but what a task must have met the eyes of the pioneers! The scarcity of literature at cheap the contemptible criticism of both press and pulpit, the economic ignorance of the masses generally—all these were forces that then appeared insurmountable. With a determination and enthusiasm only obtainable as a result of long studying of economic problems, these pioneers gradually wore down those obstacles to enlightenment. Being but victims themselves of the cruel system of private ownership, they had from economic reasons to continually change their quarters, according to the demand for their labor. But, as soon as one left, it so happened that an exponent of the same views took his place. Open-air meetings were held, literature distributed (too often at the expens© of their own slender pockets), and slowly the seeds of revolt were sown.

The local party, continually being augmented by members from more progressive centres of industry, held meetings indoors, which were attended in some cases by a few enthusiasts. Still, the education went on, and gradually the audience became larger and moTO and more enthusiastic.

At the Parliamentary election of 1908 additional interest was added bj tho advent of a Socialist candidate. Although unsuccessful, the amount of propaganda work that was done was invaluable, and from that on, the keenest interest began to be manifested in social questions

The most prominent officials of the Miners' Undon were Socialists, and the most regular attendants at Union meetings were also Socialists. It was only too evident that the continual election of Socialists upon the Union committee must soon find a complete breaking away policy of old ideas, an<l we find a ballot being taken re the advisability of joining the New Zealand federation of Labor, or, as it was then called, the Miners' Federation. This was done successfully by a large majority, and the next important step was to consider the advisability of withdrawing from the Arbitration -Court. . After three different ballots were taken this was at last an accomplished fact. The second ballot was by majority in favour of cancellation;, but, according to Arbitration Court procedure, the majority of the members of the Union must decide the question.

This, however, was done, with the result that the Arbitration Court, as far as the Waihi miners were concerned, was a dead letter. It can easily be imagined that this progressive policy did not suit the ideas and aims of the reactionary element of the Union, and it was freely rumoured that strong reactionary opposition would bo forthcoming at the Undon elections in August, 1911. Just at this particular time controversies in the local press on Socialism and Unionism and a few kindred matters became the sole topic of conversation, and owing to the clergy being drawn into the discussion, increased interest was added. . Socialism had become a power, an ever-increasing powor and dangerous tcr the reactionaries, and steps must be taken to curtail, if not destroy, its growth.

A movement called the Men's Forward Movement, was inaugurated by reactionaries, including several clergymen. Butj as Robert Burns said, "the best laid schemes of. mice and" men gang aft agley," and this movement so far has not affected the spread of Socialism.

Socialists, assisted by other loveors of freedom, protested emphatically against the Cottscriptioai Act. Meetings were held, anti-militarist literature distributed, and an Anrfci-Mildtarist Council formed. The tide of education was rapidly sweeping on —aye, ityr too fast to suit the narrow minds of supporters of ignorance, wJben, lo and behold ! a new movement called the Patriotic League, to assist the Defence Act and encourage registration of boys, was inaugurated. Truly, Socialism was making itself felt, and none knew it better than +h.e originators and supporters of these "reform" movements. But the last card, the trump card, was to be played at the Union elections. "The Socialises must be done away with, of course; they are atheists puxe and simple; they ar© bringing trouble into our hitherto happy midst." These weire the cries of opponents. Th© result of the ballot ought to be sufficient to rmpress upon the minds of all anti-Socialists (and anti lots of other things) the futility of attempting to stem the tide of knowledge. . Out of 19 vacant seats on the Union, 17 Socialists have been elected, and the remaining two members are- strong supporters of tlie Federation.

Need much, more be said of the growth of Socialism in. Waihi? Yes. The Warihi and Karaaigahake branches of the New eZalaaid Socialist Party have unanimously selected Comrade P. H. Hickey (sub-editor of "The Maoriland "Worker") to contest the Ohinemuri electorate in. the interests of Socialism. The Waihi Miners' Union have almost unaniuijously decided .to give their support to P. H. Hickey in his campaign. The Karangahake miners have taken- a similar stand. The old gate© of economic ignorance ar© falling fast Daneath the onslaught of the army of knowledge ; but, comrades, thexe is s work to do. Never must our work cease till the gaunt spectres of poverty, crime, lust and all its infamous brood have been forever wiped away from the path, of humanity. When the c'awn of Socialism shall brighten with its morning splendour the sxiii-kissed hills of Freedom, then, and then only, shall our agitation cease, and we will then behold the realisation of all our hopes and aims—"The Commonwealth."—THE REBEL.