N. Z. F. L.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 32, 8 March 1912, Page 9

N. Z. F. L.

President Webb on Tour.

We promised in our last report to Vive a re.sumeof the President's tour of the Kast Coast, S.I. Ho left. Wellington on Jiuimuy -0, and addressed a crowded meeting of tho Socialist Party at C'hristfhurcli on Sunday night. On .Monday, January 21, ho addressed a meeting of the. Lyttelton Stevedores' Union, and explained the terms of the new agreement. All work was stopped on the w.'iart from X to 5 p.m., whilst tho meeting was in progress, almost every memlxT ol the Union being prosuit". The agreement was endorsed unanimously, and it was resolved that eacli member take a copy of "Tho Muorilund Worker."

Tho following day (Tuesday) the President proceeded to Tiniaru. The same course was followed hero as at Lyttolion, all work being stopped from 3 to 5 p.m. ; and this Union also endorsed tin- new agreement, and resolved to take a copy of "The Worker" for each member.

o>i Thursday he addressed the Diiuedin Waterside- Workers from 3 to 5 p.m., nearly every member being present.' This Union also endorsed the new agreement, and resolved to take a copy or the paper for each member.

Two meetings of the Port Chalmers Waterside Workers' I'nioil were held, one at 8 p.m. (he same evening, and one during tho next day. This Union is not yet a member of the Federation, but we iinilerskind is taking a ballot for the purpose of becoming affiliated with same.

A largely-attended meeting of tho Green Island Miners' Union was held on Friday evening.

On Saturday Hie President proceeded to Kaitangata, and addressed two crowded and enthusiastic meetings in Wilson's Hall on Saturday night and Sunday.

He held a meeting at Nightcaps on Monday : spoke to the Muff Waterside Workers on Tuesday, 2 to .j p.m.; and en Wednesday night addressed a public meeting at Port Chalmers, at which the Mayor presided.

On Thursday he left for Christ-church, and addj-essod three meetings on Friday night , —.Metal Workers' Union, 7 to 8; General Laborers, 8 to 10; tramw'aymen, ID to lO.HO; left for West Coast on Saturday morning.

Tho whole series of meetings were most enthusiastic, and spoko volumes for the growth of the movement on the East Coast.

On Tuesday and Thursday, February 6 and 8, the President addressed throe meetings of the Greymouth Wharf Laborers. The Organiser also addressed the meeting held on Thursday night.

As doubtless you are aware, a conference was held at Grey _ between representatives of tho Union and tho shipping companies re new agreement, which, after considerable discussion, arrived at a deadlock. The Union do cided at a special meeting to invoke the assistance of your organisation, a u<l negotiations for a conference aro now proceeding.

On Sunday morning tho President and organiser addressed a meeting of the State Minors' Union, which resolved unanimously to loan £500 to '•The Maorilnnd Worker."

On Sunday afternoon another meeting of the Greyinouth Wharf Workers was hold in tho Lyceum Hall.

On Monday, February 12, the President left for Wostport, where ho gavo <i series" of addresses as follow:— Tuesday, Westport Labor Union ; Thursday, Wcstporfc Waterside Workers' Union, 3 to 5 p.m., when all work was stopped, and the Union unanimously endorsed tho new agreement; Thursday, 8 p.m., railway employees.

On Friday he addressed the Seddonvillo Miners' Union; Saturday, Ngakawsm Miners' Union; Sunday morning, Granity Miners' Union at Millortoii; Sun day evening, a meeting

under the auspices of the Millertou Socialist Party, his subject being "'Modern Socialism ;" and on Monday, Deuuistnii Millers.

Other meetings had been arranged, but on account of the I , resident receiving an. urgent wire in proceed t<l Auckland, they had (o be cancelled. 9st. '* * *

Tin- I , resident reports that thn prospects in every place visited ant exoelLnni. The movement (i.s throwing by leaps ami bounds.

One feat lire of the whole tour thai struck the I , resident forcibly v.-as the absolute , necessity that exists lor the distribution of more literature upon Industrial I'nionisni and Socialism. * #- * *

However, in nearly every place visited movements are on foot for the piirpo'so of forming liranches of tho N.Z. Socialist Party, ruul this matter of lack of literature'should he quickly remedied.

Tin' President proceeded to Auckland on Fi-iffiy. February 23. for the putfHiso «(' investigating tho General Laborers' dispute. The Vicr-President. (\V. I']. Parry.) has been in that city for snme tin.i' past, and proceedings have arrived at somewhat of a deadlock ; lint it i.s hoped that a way out of a ratlin , preenrio'."? and difficult position will b<> found by tho Presideni, and Vice-Prv.-iidenl of the Federation and the officials of the Union.

Th" OrgjMii.ser and Mrs. Sample sailed for Australia on February 23, and we. trust that the holiday will be the moans of his returning with renewed vigor and eiuTgv. As doubtless most are aware, his health for some time now h.is been bad, and it appeared to your Kxeeutive that, did he not at once take. a. holiday, it, would mean a complete breakdown in his health. That was the only reason which prevented his going to Auckland.

It is useless at this saying a-nyl!iin«i in respect to the late tramwit v strike in Wellington, as you .'ire, well acquainted with the facts tlm matt' , .! , from your own paper. Suffice it to say that the organisation is more thought of and talked about in Wellington at the present time than ever bciforo.

P: ('. WEBB, President

J. GLOVER, Secretary R. SKMPLE, Organiser