NOTES FROM KAITANGATA.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 33, 20 October 1911, Page 14

NOTES FROM KAITANGATA.

We have had a visit from Scott Bennett and Semple. They were both, present at a meeting that was arranged for last Thursday night. The small attendance at the meeting was a most regrettable feature, but in Kaitangata that is to be expected. Although, on account of the small attendance, Scott Bennett did not extend himself, yet what he did give us was of the right sort. If we had a few more like him, the cause of Federation, and Socialism would go ahead by leaps amd bounds. The subject is .always good, and it only wants speakers like Bennett and Se-m----ple to compel atention. But we are not downhearted, not by any means. We know that once our friend Semple gets the leisure to put in a little time in our midst, that the same result will arrive in Kaitangata a.s he has achieved in other parts of N.Z. Our chaps only want a little of the same attention that other places have received. And let it be said right here that the Federation is being recognised, more and more, as time rolls on, even in Kaitangata, as the only remedy for the removal of the numberless little pinpricks that we have to put up with. And for the securing to the worker of a just return for his labor. We are also having a greater majority of our members as time rolls on realising tSbat. they have to look to something else than the Arbitration Court for that result. We are confidently looking forward to the day when we will scarcely have a hall big enough in Kaitangata ,to hold the audience when a speaker of the calibi'e of either Scott Benniet or Semple is announced. Here, as elsewhere, there are a few creatures in the ranks of the workers who are always prepared to oppose aaiy movement that is calculated to benefit the toilers and at the same time reduce the powers of the employers to act the autocrat. And these people always have a few friends who let others do ttheir thinking for them. Howeverj hard knocks drive sense into the thinking machines of the most dull-witted, and now, as it has already been remarked, there are few indeed here who have much love for the Arbitration Court. When that feeling arrives, then the horizon must t>a scaav ned for other means to the desired end; and the only hope appearing in sight is the N.Z. Federation of Labor. At the close of our friends , addresses the other night, questions were asked and satisfactorily answered, but it was fortunate for one of the questioners that Semple did not know that the man who asked how a miner could get on without the Arbitration Court if the boss tried to beat him out of two feet of cutting, was one of the individuals who gave evidence for the employers when they were being sued to try to compel the company to pay for cutting through pillars, as" provided in our award. Wβ lost the case, and our defeat was largely to be attributed to the efforts of the two members of our Union who gave evidence for the employers. And then for one of these two to have the nerve to ask Semple tho above question was rich. If only Semple had known about it, you may rest assured the curious gentleman would have wished that lie could have closed his ears, or rather have kept his mouth shut. Yes; man is a very adaptable animal, and fits himself to local conditions; so, if he has am ambition to become a paainikin boss, he has to show that he has tho attributes that will entitle the powers that be to elevate him to that position. Now that we have had a little time to reflect on the doings of the Mines Commission, the attitude taken, up by Mr. Reed becomes the more incoiaprehensiblo. The workers had two representatives on the Commission, the employers the same, and two Government nominees, besides the chairman. Each of, them had a duty to perform in particular as well as their duty generally. But way should Mr. Reed add to his duties that of appearing to be the special advocate of the employers P No doubt he had to defend nis own department, but the employers had experienced men. to look after their |nterests, and it looked very suggestive to see a Government official coming tso their rescue timo ancj again. If this is the policy of the Mines Department, well, somebody should be removed to make room for an impartial official, and give us a dbanoe to _get the Aot administered properIy.—SPECTATOR.