In Our Opinion.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 31, 6 October 1911, Page 11

In Our Opinion.

THE reported action of union representatives in the Buller district in foi'AA r arding names ot" union men for appointment on the Westport Harbour Board cannot be too emphatically condemned. In the Buller the Avhole of the unions, are' affiliated.'with tho N.Z.F.L. and the action iii consequence can be, and indeed is, used by a hostile presw, as an argument against the Federation. As a c!ass-oonsciou9 .body, the Federation has turned its back upon patronage in any form, and, as far as public bodies are concerned, has emphatically declared that they must be elective. " Hence its condemnation of the Legislative Council, its political plank declaring that all public bodies shall be elected by parliamentary franchise. There is no doubt that in thus approaching the Government for union representation upon the Harbor Board those responsible had overlooked, or were unacquainted with, the Federation's attitude upon this question, but surely their own instincts (should have told them, as members of the Avorkin-g-class, that their duty was quite clear to fight patronage rather than to encourage it by accepting nomination upon an undemocratic %ody. That the rank and file of Buller union-ists-have passed resolutions condemning this action of their representatives says much for their commonsense.

AT time of writing the Labor Party Avould appead to have but a poor chance of capturing many seats at the forthcoming election. Barclay, of Dunedin North, should win, mere upon his fiersonality than because of the Labor abel. McLaren Avill haA-e a tough task to hold his scat. Dr. NeAvman, his opponent, is bound to poll heavily, and will have certain poAv<erful interests working on his .side. The rest of the Wellington Labor candidates, Avith the exception of Hindmarsh, * Avill have Buckley's chance of Avinning. In Christchurch the same thing applies. There is not a possible chance, from present appearances, of any of them scoring a "try." Mack inj Paruell is putting in hard Avork, Avith Avhat result it is hard to say. He should win, and Avill win if the railwayman and other workers do their duty. The fact of Fundi ay deciding to contest the seat is bound to affect the result considerably. On the other hand, the N.Z.F.L. candidates in Ohinemuri, and Buller should win. The readjustment of boundaries lias made Hickey's chance in Obinemuoi decidedly rosy. Buller, Avhen it selects its candidate, should put him to the head of the poll. It is purely a work-ing-class electorate. Webb, iv the Grey, has enthusiastic bands of men and avolieja A\ r orking on his behalf, and Guineas has the fight of his life in store, roviding he can secure a decent perMitage of Greymouth' votes, with' the llge majorities he Avill receive in tlie [mini* centms. Webb will win.

WHEN Geo. FoAvlds resigned his position in the Cabinet and declared that the Liberal Party was no longer & democratic organisation, considerable speculation arose as to Avbethor Mr. I'oAvlds had any other party in his mind's eye. Colour was- lent to this speculation by hi* statements regarding a "new evangel," and his declaration that if ever a-really democratic party arose he would be prepared to again accept Cabinet rank. It is fairly common rumour, in certain quarters, that tlie "neAV evangel" is Robert McNab. exMinister of Lands, iioav seeking election for Palnverston- North, and that the "really deanceratic party" will be composed of the "insurgents"'' from both tho rival parties, who will unite for the purpose of driving the more reactionary members of both parties into one camp, teaming the insurgents as the Opposition. Than, it is statedj McNab Avould be chosen leader of the Opposition Avith G. FqAvlds as his lieutenant. It Will be remembered that Avhen Fowlds read his speech resigning from the Ministry, McNab Avas an interested listener in the House—a pure coincidence, of course. Whether any snich "move" is afoot it is difficult to say just noAV. Upon the future much depends.:

HENRY GEORGE'S .birthday was in places celebrtited Avith some enthusiasm last month. We are frequently! struck by the popularity of Single-tax in New Zealand —Aye alAvays admire the enthusiasm of the Sihgle-faxers. That the Henry George plan has so large a hold in N.Z. is possibly attributable to the absence of large manufacturing centres. AnyAvay, that plan is exploded so far as benefiting the Avork ing- class goes. Nevertheless, Henry George Avas a great and lovable man.. His is a name to conjure Avith. He Avas born on September 2, 1839, in. Philadelphia, and died under memorable circumstances —in barnesß —in 1897. It is interesting to knoAv that the first Englishman to read and be struck with George-' s> books Avas H. H. Champion, avlio became introduced to them in 1880 in Boston. Champion acted as treasurer of a movement responsible for getting George to England. Champion is to-day a Socialist.

E. BOHN's article on another * » page is the Avork of an- expert. The name of Bohn is associated Avith the industrialist thought of America, and the avriter of the article in question is among the world's foremost estimators and exponents of internationalism. His department in the "International Socialist RevieAv" is indispensable. In a note to our editor, Mr. Bohn explains that his article is "on. certain recent developments in the land of the free and the heme of the brave." He adds: "We like your paper especially and rejoice at its success. Have you noted how Avidely it is quoted in this country?"

WE venture to remind A\-orkers' organisations that "The Maoriland Worker" is iioav equipped to do.any kind of job printing, and. that therefore such organisations will, be assisting in the successful permanent establishment of this paper by supporting the job-printing department. Then, too, the matter of circulation requires constant attention. On its merits, "The Worker" is entitled to ■a big circulation —but it has to kill many prejudices and beat much straightout and also much, underhand attack ere those merits Avill be conceded. If any section should shift mountains on behalf of this paper it is the section which approves of its policy. It is a great and glorious thing to have an advocate of such policA r —it Avould bo a calamity and a danger if the adA'-oeate Avere out of existence. Send up the sale —Aye ought to have 20,000 copies rushed each week. Among other improvements, Aye are glad to announce that from this out our paper Avjll contain in each issue a speciallydraAvn and topical cartoon by our oavu cartoonist.

WE trust that Scott Bennett's campaign will finish as well as it has begun. Despite formidable attractions in the rsray of amusements "and also so strong £ rival lecturing attraction as Mr. Tregear's sincerely-striking pronouncement, Bennett's lecture in Wellington last Sunday night Avas largely attended, and likeAvise magnificently enthusiastic. By this time he Avill haA-o spoken in other places and be on the verge of departing for the militant West Coast. The campaign right through ought to be made a triumphant tour. Bennett is neither gasbag nor spell-binder—but a highly-gifted eloquent speaker Avith a message and a scientific Aveapon. It was inspiring to note on his platform on SVmday, among others, the organiser and vice-president of the N.Z. Federation of Labor. The men and the force Socialists and Industrial Unionists are getting together speak of deeds and gains for the workers.

TO prevent strikes—that is the "dodge" The latest would-be Canute is the South Australian Parliament. Strikes must arise Avhile capitalists last. Justice alone will prevent strikes. The Labor Parliamentarians of South Australia do not knoAv this. Hence the following"mixture" of confusion and ignorance and treachery (from a working-class viewpoint) :La the Assembly; : Attorney-

General moved the second reading of the j Industrial Arbitration Bill, Avhich is to prevent strikes and lock-outs. He claimed that the measure had been pre?: paired without the taint of partisanship. All the existing Acts had been consulted, and the best points taken from, each, Avith neAV clauses to bind all into an harmonious Avhole. Under the measure an independent State tribunal was presided over by a judge, of the Supreme. Court, having power over ay ages and conditions of labor. The interest of the community Avas superior to that either of the employer or the employed. For legislation with the object of preventing strikes and lock-outs was justified, even although it involved a sacrifice of existing rights by both parties. The judge Avould be as independent as any other Supreme Court Judge, and the administration of the laAv Avould be taken entirely from the control of the Government. Solicitors would be excluded from hearings before a Court. His chief anxiety was to create a tribunal Avhich would command the confidence of both employers and employed, and Avould be above all suspicion of bias. The Attor-ney-General spoke for tAvo hours in giving the derails of the measure, Avhich practically gives a Wages Board to every trade. He asked that in the discussion all party considerations Avomld be put aside and an endeavour put forth to perfect the measure in every respect. Ha! ha! ha!

: « : ' ORGANISER SEMPLE is on the warpath, and for a few months the waterside Avorkers are likely to havo the battle fast and furious. Enraged Avith the decision of that recent conference 'which denied the Avaterside men the xight to have a widely-demanded referendum, "Bob" Semple has determined to spealc direct to the men and upon the Avharves of N.Z. He did excellent service in Wellington last Aveek, and • Aye doubt if ever he was in better form. In many respects. Semple is an abiding Avonder. Certainly the psychological hour and the man met Avhen Semple came to N.Z. Now he is "out" to put the plain position to the Avatersiders and to ask them of themselves to ballot upon the question certain conference, delegates were anxious to keep in the dark.. By their interests, by their calling, by their militant spirit and rebellious temperament, the Avaterside men belong to the Federalii'on of Labor. If they Avould frustrate their arbitration-loving. Mills (dis) aity opposition, they will-insist, on a irompfc and all-embracing vote on the question of joining the N.Z. Federation of Labor. So insisting, they refuse to be suppressed, they refuse to be .side-track.-' . ,:av refuse to sacrifice the grandlyemccratic instrument of the referendum.

BY a resolution passed at a meeting of the Denniston Miners' Union, its members have declared in effect that any member assisting the political paiir didature o<f other than the Avorkers' nominee* shall be treated as a foe. This is as it should be. Of course, once a majority of members of a union dee upon a certain course, any member '■••a acts contrary to the decisioh commits an offence. The Avorkers are beginning to see that industrial and .political co-operation on their part is necessary if they' are to aecoanplish any permanent benefit for themselA r e'S or their class. Recognising that the. conditions of labor and so ova are largely determined by Parliament, the. AA-ide-aAvake AA-crkers very rightly hold that the capture of Parliament is highly desirable. This can only be accomplished by class solidarity. Because there are, unfortunately, traitors to the working-class in the raiiiks of the workers, true unionists are wise to protect ' themseh T es by- resolution of their union. The union's aim is to better the conditions! of its members, and it has a.perfect right, both industrially and politically, to call upon its members' loyalty for that purpose. Once this is recognised in the ranks of unionism, there Avill be a general advance. The Avorkers Avill have become class-conscious —i.e., they will understand that the only hope of permanent betterment lies in thebetterment of the Avorking-class as a whole.