G.G. FARLAND AT NELSON AND PICTON

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 35, 3 November 1911, Page 12

G.G. FARLAND AT NELSON AND PICTON

%%"' : %JN& WORK "'. ACCOMPLISHED j : ": i,'y. flPbe W«_lng-tph Waterside -Union.:., sent; O. G, an organising :.osr to Mfcl&Ji' and Picton at the invitation

of a number of active Nelson labourers

Leaving' Wellington by the Arahnra on Saturday. 21st, he held' a quiet meeting amongst the unorganised Picton men, and made arrangements for a further meeting on the Avay back. .He reached Nelson on Sunday, and was met by Comrades Johns and Bo wen. After looking round the toAvn Comrade Bowen got out an old gin case, Avhich had done good service, in more ways than one. The wondering ' inhabitants of "Sleepy HoIIoav" gathered round, and, after a short address by our-Comrade Bowen, Farland held the crowd for a further tAVo hours. At the close, an individual of the military order approached him, and asked him to confine his future Nelsonian remarks to Socialism, and to lea\ r e his King alone. Farland's reply was tha&> it Avas really only a matter of ©dfcication. At this, our Royalist took considerable umbrage, and averred forsooth that he Avas_ attending the local college. A further meeting was addressed, in the Men's Waiting-room, and on the same evening a large gathering in the Universal Flail decided to form the Nelson "Waterside and General Workers' Union, and register under T.U. Act, 1908. It was decided also- to affiliate with the N.Z.F.L. as soon as funds would allow. A fe.v Socialists got themselves together and agreed to form a branch of the N.Z.S.P., also to resuscitate the old General Laborers' Union. Comrade Bowen has decided to put all his time into organising work at Nelson, and to push forAvard the neAV Party. Nelson Comrades are fortunate in having an able man of some substance to assist them. This gentleman, by the name of Taylor, is a keen student and lecturer in economics. He "has a hall called the Universal Hall ou HaA'en Eoad, and in this all future meetings of the Unions and Party will be held. Farland has a deal to say regarding the hospitality of the Nelson people, and has great hopes for the Revolutionary movement there. The waterside men are taking a copy of "The Worker" each week, and are arranging a regular distribution of the paper. Farland called in at Picton on his way back and learnt that his feAv words had had good effect. The waterjside men had demanded 4s. per hour for Labour Day, and had got it. A number of the men have now determined to form a Union at Picton, and Organiser Young intends to make another trip in order to put tlie Nelson men's demands through, calling at Picton on his way back. He is of the opinion that greater success can be looked for in the small country towns than the large centres —establishing working men's Socialist Clubs, Avhere the workers can meet together and spend their evenings.. The Nelson and Picton men want speakers; if every West Coast agitator and lecturer could drop off the boat for a night at these places he would be welcomed by crowds eager for economic truths. Semple and Hickey are asked for by all the live men at these ports. Why not Scott Bennett before he goes, and Hartley) Fred. Cooke, Hogg, Ross ? Nelson wants speakers, and Nelson means to get them. Watch Nelson and BoAven.