IMPRESSIONS OF THE W.W. CONFERENCE.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 29, 22 September 1911, Page 8

IMPRESSIONS OF THE W.W. CONFERENCE.

Sir,— Having thought over business done at Auckland, I, for one, feel that the rank and file have been sadly misrepresented. The whole show seems to be somewhat of a farce; in fact, aping the system of Parliament, the party in the majority doing all in their power to put the minority in a false position and using rules of debate to burk evidence, right or wrong. Of course, we have plenty of precedent for such conduct, both in England and other countries, but the more it is considered the more idiotic it appears. The same remits are considered and passed religiously every year, without even debating the ways and means of compelling the powers that be to bring same into effect"; the delegates go home and all is quiet till next time, when they bob up again quite fresh. What possible reason delegates could have for rejecting the ' referendum I don't know, but they managed to do it. I propose that the rank and file of each union demand a referendum on joining the N.Z. Federation of Labor. This would be more in the line of direct action, and would stop bickering over our so-called leaders, who sometimes cannot see the woods for trees. The toilers in the Old Country have had to jump over some of their leaders, as they were too slow to get out of the "way,' their sole idea being to patch up little agreements with the plutes to the detriment of the men that paid their wages, and saying it was for tho sake of peace. Peace is often too dearly bought. The people that want better conditions must be prepared to sacrifice a little at times. Surely it_ would be more easy to get the feeling of the workers on any subject, by referendum, thus leaving the officers of unions to carry out instructions instead of their own wishes ? Of course, the indifference of the rank and file is greatly to blame, but if the responsibility is put to them more they are likely to become more interested. The tendency is to pay their dues and let their officers run things; then, when anything goes wrong, to put the blame on the officers. Now, mates, just put yourselves into the collar for a year or 'two and see if we cannot alter things a bit. I am getting grey and there is nothing left 021 the top, but I still have hopes, and it is up to you to make it better for all, especially the women and kids. —From the old 'mi. Patea. W. PARKER.