In Our Opinion

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 35, 3 November 1911, Page 11

In Our Opinion

this number we begin tlae publication of a remarkably realistic Russian story translated by that Socialist scholar, Dora B. Montefiore. It would be difficult to surpass "Four Days on the Battlefield" as vivid picture of the stupidity and horror of war. The story is not a long one, and will be completed this month. Read it and recommend it to others. Then from that mighty volume by George R. Kirkpat•rick, "War —What For?" we have extracted some characteristic and telling "snap-shots," and as these appear they could wisely be scrapbookod by readers or enclosed in letters to friends. Again, our crisp crystalline "Rapid Review" of Norman Angell's epoch-mak-ing book merits close study. It is finely done. In another vein, that "Drorin.gs from London" should be regarded as a literary feast. Its author is a Socialist who not long ago was in New Zealand gaining experience. As "Lyme Dror," our comrade J. Henry is establishing a, firm reputation. His contributions to the "New Age"—that most able of artistically literary productions —are positively magnetic. We note that in the announcements of "T.P.'s Magazine" for September "Lyme Dror's" article on "Gum-digging—the Free Life," is thus heralded: "A short sketch of a unique industry practised in some parts of New Zealand. The writer has been a 'gum-digger' himself, and is a descriptive writer of considerable power." Altogether, this number of 'The Maori-land Worker" is of excellent standard, don't you think? ❖

QPEAKiNG of "The Worker" there k -' seeps to be a small coterie attached to the Shearers' Association determined to leave no stone unturned to undermine .his paper because the said coterie is not running this parser. Malicious and unscrupulously-false reports are_ being circulated re our financial position and our editorial and managerial doings. We shall possibly haA*e occasion to refer at length to these contemptibly mean and envious attacks, but for the present Aye urge the rank .and file of the Shearers' Association to take Avith a ton of salt the underhand libelling of a paper Avhich is as much for shearers as it is for miners, and which is most of all for the militant Avorking-class.

"OY this time Echvard R. Hartley will be almost thoroughly in harness. We expect in our next issue to publish the dates and places to Avhich ho has been allotted by the executive of the N.Z. Socialist Party. We gathered from Mr. .Cooke that it Avas intended to doAote Hartley to the electorates in which Socialist candidates are contesting seats. In order that this can be done without financial anxiety, it avill be necessary for those interested in Socialist propaganda to contribute to the special S.P. fund. We urge that branches of the' Federation of Labor and Socialist Party" display rencAved actiA.ty in raising subscription... Ar lecturer and organiser of the calibre of Hartley can-

not be got to New Zealand without comparatively heavy money outlay, and the expenses must be borne by the enthusiastic to whom a cause is grand and shall prevail. Will' branches push the collecting, and will others not in branches forward donations to F. R. Cooke, Socialist Hall, Christchurch. Fling in shillings everybody. A thousand of these Avoulcl enable "Hartley for the time being to be kept in campaigning in the electorates Aye want to capture. In E. R. Hartley Aye have an organiser to whom Socialism alone matters, for he has never sought to make money, and is no richer than what he up in. We found him incidentally a delightful raconteur and expect him to do AA-ondcrs by his "talks." "I don't orate; I simply talk,"' he said. We reminded him that he also wrote enchanting!. , and got his promise to jojn our splendid staff of contributors. Watch. But, in the meantime, can Aye ask for a hundred Socialists ready to guarantee one shilling per week for the Hartley campaign? Send to Cooke.

npilE Anti-militarist Conference will •*- eventuate at Wellington next aa'cplc, Avhen there will also be a monster demonstration against conscription. Any organisation—whether peace society. Socialist branch., trade union, religious —may send delegates to the conference, Avhich it is vitally urgent to make strong and representative. In Wellington -itself, we look to every man and AA-oman against conscription to boom the demonstration and to be in attendance, i

keenly regret the non-contesting * of the Buller seat by the unionists of the electorate.. Still, there'!, the decision, and all avo can do is wait for another opportunity—Avhen Aye trust the Buller men and their Avives will take steps to select a candidate from their midst. This idea of not having a Available a man. is preposterous. ' We have the man if he is given the opportunity. AnyAvay, Aye have to produce our oavii mcn —and the attitude called for is belief in our poAA-ers and capacities to do so. All through, there has been understandable uncertainty re the Buller candidature, but never more, Aye troAv. We print a letter on Semple and his assumed candidature which needs no explanation, seeing that Semple has explained his attitude.' The letter is printed more to shoAv a prevalent vieAvpoint, but Aye do hope that such admittedly weighty ideas Avi'll not beget carelessness.tOAA r ards aa-oightier, nor add to the proverbial indifference and apathy of voters in electorates where our men are' in the field and must be made winners.