SEMPLE AND THE BULLER.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 35, 3 November 1911, Page 17

SEMPLE AND THE BULLER.

Sir, —Re Scrapie's candidature for the Buller electorate, though longing for the day avhen the Avorking-class Avill hold the reins in the l Dominion Panliament, I am sincerely "of the opinion that the Buller miners are wrongly advised in nominating Robert Semple as 'representative for the Buller or any other electorate at the present time, i consider... that we, as a body, are not sufficiently organised up to the standard required to be of much avail. Were every subordinate union of tlie Federation organised equally Avith Denniston, Mi-l_T-to.il o.r Runanga Unions, I would then say let us contest every seat in the Dominion, but owing to our disorganised state at present, I ■'■ consider the time is inopportune. I ' notice that the N.Z.F.L. has been leaping into prominence Avcek by Aveek Avith such strides as to bring joy to the heart of any Industrial Unionist — many thanks to the Avorkers' popular .educator, namely "The Maorilaud Worker," ably supported by our great general, Bob Semple, and co-workers. I will iioav ask you, Mr. Editor, can the Federation afford to lose_ the services of Bob Av'hile his work is incomElete?' I myself say no, as I consider c is the ablest persuader in the Federation ranks at the present, although we have a lot of clever, earnest and industrious men fighting the cause for those who are not so ably gifted Avith the same talent. I have always looked for the genenal election of 1914 being an eye-opener, not only to us in NeAv Zealand, but to the whole Avo-rld. Yet ,if AA'e are going to put our best men, into Parliament . before this great organisation is completed, AA'e can rest assured of our retrogression; while by Avaiting for the general election of 1914 I am sure Aye would then, be in a position to- depute Bob or someone else from our ranks to . inform Joseph, tlie present ruler of the land, that as far as holding office in the Dominion "talking shop" is concerned his services Avere no longer required, as avc had come of age to look ' after our oavii business; and, as we wish no drones in our hive, kindly giA r e Joseph a reference to Major Godley on the conditions that the aforesaid Joseph signs over to Godley both his x conscience and carcase. I trust that both Bob and the Buller electors will see that by robbing our ranks of the best talent we are retarding the progress of the N.Z.F.L. and the emancipation of the Avorking-class. And I fancy the Buller electors could safely leave their interest for another three years hi the hands of their old friend _, Jirnmie Colvin, of bank-to-bank clause '-" fame.—Yours, Puponga. J. L. FERGUSON.