Jack Desmond on Sydney Unionism.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 44, 12 January 1912, Page 10

Jack Desmond on Sydney Unionism.

INTERESTING CHAT. Socialism—Labor Party—lndustrialism Australian Federation of Labor. Chatting with "The Worker" .in his rolurii from Australia. Jack l>o*i.ini«i,, of (irc-.Muoulh, sjtoke interestingly of the Labor movement of Sydney as seen, by a New Z'-alaml Industrialist. "Tho only live body in Sydney »t the present time," said Com rude Desmond, 'is the International Socialists. Talking t<« the man in the street, to the worker of average intelligence, h" will frankly admit that the Labor Tarty, particularly I he Labor I'arty of N.S.W., n rotten. However, he has b.r-.i so hui£ associated with the movement, and has I'oiijiht so hard#to brill.; it into liein.H that he is loth to chane;.. 'it is iv-ucralU recognised that for all practical purposes they may as Well have a Liberal I'ariv in power. They are to roennnise too that their Labor Party is after all by an offshoot of the Liberal Party. ■•..lonn th*- Sydney waterfront thine;* are anything but satisfactory front a unionistie point of view. The men on the wharves are divided. Unlike here, they have two unions—the earrfo workers hein_; in one organisation and th" coal lumpers in another. "Tin* ear.no workers have from their recent dispute with the. \\'aj;es Hoard beaten at almost every I urn. Their conditions are as had, if not worse., than formerly. As a result, discontent is rampant amongst th* men, and they are beniuuin.ii to -recognise the retrograde action - * of their officials and the piirsiiiii;* of their policy is in a great measure responsihl. lor this state of affairs. •''The coal lumpers, on tho other ha ml, are a good body of men. M'wt of them are revolutionists. They hay* pulled out from the "Waterside Workers' I'nion because of the reactionary tendencies of that body. During the.ray cent dispute they were not directly affected. On tin- whole, their coiu.il-i«Hi« are e;ood. They don't hesitate* in any ea.se io take such action a< is w«_« _ sary to readjust any grievances which ininht exist." "WJtafc do you think of the industrial movement;-''' was asked. "1,-) it as advatu-od as luto?'' "No," wag the reply. "Then, is no movement in Australia at the prafwnfc such as the N.Z.F.L. It is interesting to note, though, that just prior to my leaving for New Zealand a was held in Newcastle, which was attended by representatives of th-o wholo of the coal miners' union, of Australia. As a result of that conference an Australian .Federation of Labor was launched upon much tho same basis as our organisation. All unions that desire to Initial up in Australia a militant Labor organisation are at liberty to join." "What is the opinion in Australia.'of the. N.Z.F.L.?" wo aslwi. "It- is being closely watched," Said Jack, "more particularly by tho industrialists and Socialists. Tlicv rocogmsn the potentialities of tho movement from the viewpoint of Industrial Unionism."