Lest We Forget!

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 48, 9 February 1912, Page 6

Lest We Forget!

By P|. H. HICKEY

The oi Labor v,»«. ih«- outcijk 61 tbe activities ol cbt>s-coii,scieiis workers d< Mii|ii> nl buildiiij: up in New Zealand a i< vohiiio-iiaiN organisation ;0 assist- in the al>oluion-ul » n. lie primary olijoci was the education of t.be u-nrkers in tin- principles of industrial organisation : to teach the «igniheance oi the to make apparent it; the working-clas* that no Oilier yoal than that of Socialism was worthy ol a woi king-class or-iniisaticii.

At the sinicj time, the fa -T *\fis recoguiml thai lib- material m-ed* ol the people he iv ami now must b ton sid-

The I'Vd< ra.'tion has groHii and beurnie a power uiiicb is lea red by Capitalism and lithe-servers alike, because of its' straighfiiess. because ol its iin■comproiiiisiiig, attitude, and because of lie revolmh par.v tendencies ot its nwinbmhip.

Are we l<r d<. rcrt- those principles now r An we to swerve from those teaching*, v. Ui'-h have madt- us what wt are?

Don't larger. l'ello\v-woi'k< rs, that there is a danger looming; Dent torget- that «|n\vjy your organisation's origins! purpose is heing obscured by those who regard it merely as an a-gn oinelitinaker, and a successful oi.e. too.

Ol late there has been much talk of

"■'tgrec.ii";eiits." "industrial peace," "loyalty to employers." and such-like phrases. Don't listen to them! Don't bolieve them! There can be no industoia! peace in Ne»v Zealand whilst the capitalist s\s:teiii lasts. There can be n<> talk of 'loyalty*' between workers and employer's. The only loyalty which exists is ihe loyalty observed by the itobhed whilst ihe bhiiiderltii'-s ot the robber is ai his head.

Recognise that every ag!"*> ii.eiit entered into is not binding nrioi. you for a single iiT-tant. No. not if it uoie signed by a thousand officials and ratified by a dozen courts! The agreement is Rot sacred. Only a fool would regard it as such. Ihe moment an opportunity occurs to better your rendition break your agreement. Break it it will pay yo« to do co.

The employer does not regard any aprwrnent as sacred. He will prate WWt bis loyalty to it —it is but a loyalty which pays. He always lines the thing that pays. That's his business. His commercial success is possible only hy bis observing ihe rules of the gameHe is in ''"liusiness." Which translated means )r is out to "do"' anyone and everyone in order to succeed. He has no ethical code at all. He leaves that in his church pew on Sundays. No agreement would prevent him iioni milking a better business deal.

We profess in bo Industrial Unionists! Industrial 'Unionism means, if it means anything, the organisation (if the uiirki!.s in such a nay mat they can make comii.oii cause if necessary; the mass of the organised workers facing Capitalism, demanding with one voice some measure of justice. Can that be done it we "loyally abide" by agreements:' Industrial Unionism teaches t.),,-.. existence of the class struggle. Can there be any "industrial peace" whiNf that struggle■ continues!' If «<- ate to he hobbled by "agreement «■-." i.iiii" motto. ""An injury to OKe is !!m. concern ot all." becomes h mock«T7.

"Vciir tight is oiir light : cr least, it would l>e. hut there js our agreement. <"ktfi't-cher-know! We must 'loyally abide' by that, comrade, in tie interests of 'industrial peace' ''

Cut upon us for hypocrites and traitors to our class if we be fooled by those catch cries which have damned working-class: a<-ti\itie- in ibe past.

A:<- YOT prepared to stand ''loyally by your agreement." and see your comrades -.c down in the- Litter classwar upon the industrial battlefield, while you are zealously ma'ntaining "industrial poari-r" .-Woven:- Do yon believe, that agreements entered into with en.plovers are sacred r Do you believe this talk of "industrial peacer" Oi course, you don't!

Well, don't let us be fooled, by allowing the Federation membership to become martyr.; to the catch cries of industrial (icvpots:. Let ns teach our comrades the truth. L'-t us tell them that in the uar between the despoiled Midi the de -jM.il. is to talk of "snored rights'' i- a s;-,(. riic-e. and in' 'industrial pe;i< c" a lie. Success |jes in maintainim: cur unrompromi-ii'g attitude, failure —and more—confronts ns unless we- insist upon our original poli*y.

Arc we Industrialists? Are we Revolutionist*?' If ive are. let us ,vt accordingly. If necessary, ha vis toss ev*'!'\ agreement to Hell.