THAT WATERSIDE CONFERENCE.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 31, 6 October 1911, Page 13

THAT WATERSIDE CONFERENCE.

Dear Mr. Editor, —I would like to touch on a few points in regard to the late conference of Avaterside workers lately held in Auckland. As a member of the said Union, 1 was not at all surprised at the attitude that some of the southern, and West Coast delegates took up, and I still believe they did net carry out the full wishes of the members of their unions. Take the cress voting of the Wellington and .Lytteiton delegates; this clearly shows whether they represented their unions. When the Greymouth remit on the unity proposal came on several days Avere wasted; Avhen it Avas defeated, all the other remits seemed to be of a blocking nature. I was pleased to -see the stand of the Auckland delegates, except tAvd Avho Avent astray, but will have to aoisAver for their conduct later. Although Patea, Timaru and others did not carry their remits, they deserve the credit of their unions in the stand they made for progress. I Avould like to touch on the motion re referendum on joining the Noav Zealand Federation of Labor. When the searchlight Avas turned on it found out" the go-a-step-at-a-time-for - fear - you-hurt-the-bos's interest". Is this democracy.'' I call it despotism Avhen Aye are not alloAved the privilege of a referendum. As a member I for' one feel angry. If defeated on the question, I would take it as a true sportsman, and leave no stone unturned 'to try and educate the members of mv branch. We in Auckland are, I think ready for joining the N Z Federation, of Labor, and Aye want a referendum. What about you m the south? Take no notice of those who misled you in the past, but get to your meeting; do not rest till you have pulled down sectional unionism and in its place reconsctruct an up-to-date Industrial Unionism. You would not think of defending your hearths with the oldtime bow and arrow against your enemies' latest maohine gun; you would call it madness. Then why be content 'with a feAV crumbs when you know that as Avorkers 3'ou constitute 90 per cent, of the community? Rise to the full height of your manhood; remember the remedy lies in your oavu hand to mako this planet fit to live on. In a feAV words' of that grand old comrade, Wm. Morris:

Ah! Come cast off all fooling, for this at least Aye knoAv, That the DaAvn and the Day is coming, and forth the banners go. AUCKLAND WATERSIDER.