Hartleys Mission.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 35, 3 November 1911, Page 18

Hartleys Mission.

Arrival in Zealand.-

Epitome of His First Speech in New-Zealand

FRATERNAL AND ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME.

All day on. Thursday of last _ week F. R. Cooke "and-Wellington Socialists Avere on the look-out for the lonic, which did not got to the Wellington; wharves' ilntil nearly 5 o'clock, and then for about an hour Comrades E. R. and Mrs. Hartley and. the comrades on the wharf could do little but watch each other until the medical examination had concluded. When access to the big boat was possible, Fred. Cooke (sec. N.Z. Socialist Party), F. li. Freeman (sec. Wellington branch S.P.), 11.' Hogg, T;. A. Eagle, W. Robinson, J.. A. Roberts (pres. Wellington branch N.Z.S.P.), C. Mum mc, IT. Garlick, P. Green, R. S. Ross and others were soon welcoming the distinguished lecturer and writer to N.Z., .and exchanging news -and views. Speedily the steamship was left and after a short' stroll "an enjoyable dinner was partaken off. In the evening Mr. and Mrs. Hartley were tendered an enthusiastic welcome at the Socialist Hall, Manners street, Mr.X\ Miedema, president of the Wellington branch presided, and although it .was a very ...wet, night there was a goo dattenda-nce. Mr. .__ R. Cooke, in welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Hartley to New Zealand, said .Hartley had done yeoman- service for the cause of Socialism in the Old Country. The New Zealand party could not have done better, and in persuading Mr. Hartley to come and assist them they were fortunate. If he-only did onehalf of the service in New Zealand .that he performed in the initial stages of the movement at Home, they would, be .well satisfied with his visit. " Mr. Freeman: greeted the Visitor on behalf of the Wellington branch.. He would find they had an industrial movement in. New Zealand which was making great strides-, and was on a revolutionary basis. Mr. Hartley said he was one. of those "impossible old fellowis." He could never he persuaded that anything but Socialism was of-any use. When they told him what excellent felloAvs the Tories were he smiled. When they told him what excellent fellows the Liberals were he smiled. But he could keep on smiling and still be a Socialist. Where there was an employer and a worker there would be trouble, and where there was privately-owned property there would be trouble. He believed that if they went to heaven and found property there, there would be trouble. Private property Krast always mean labor for those who did not possess property. When once they united the workars the rest was easy., The old system of dividing, the trades unions into sections meant trouble. Nobody could harm, the workers but the workers themselves. Whatever he could do to assist the workers he would doThe only thing was unity of all trades. He supported- only what he considered was right. The workers were always right 'in their fights with tlie masterclass. He was hopeful of good things "in New Zealand, not because of what he .could do. -He could not do much. There was no country. in the world where they, did not cry that capital was leaving, the country. Yet it did not leave-'-"'Socialism was the only possible solution, and the workers must be : united. If' any section, of tradesunions- stood in the way that section must be put aside. He hoped that at the end of the year they would know they had. done good work in, New Zealaaid. They' ivero nearer .to it than most people thought. He could tell exactly when'it was coming—j.ust as soon as the people had sufficient sense. Mrs. Hartley also said a few words. Mr. Hartley had come to do- a useful work, and she had come, to look after him. Vocal and elocutionary, items Avere rendered and refreshments served. H. Scott'Bennett was present. It -was a thoroughly "red" evening. Mr, and Mrs. Hartley left fox; Christchurch, accompanied by Cooke,: on Thursday evening, and were tender-. Ed a big reception there. E.R.IT. spoke to the public on Sunday night last.