NOTES FROM KAITANCATA.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 61, 10 May 1912, Page 10

NOTES FROM KAITANCATA.

Visit from Federation President— A Timely Address.

Since my last article wnp written, we have, had a visit from tho President of the Federation, Comrade Webb. Ho addressee! a meeting in tlio nuiion office on the principles of the Federation, and dealt with matters in connection with tho attempted formation of an opposition union here. It was a pity that all those who aro trying to break up our union were not present. If they had been, I am sure that tho convincing logic of the speaker would have caused them to pause and ponder their actions. In the first place, lie showed tho utter futility of expecting tho Arbitration Court to be of any vmo to tho ejrgauiseel workers in bettering their conditions, while at tho same time he contrasted the successful methods of tho Federation, whereby tho condition of workers had been improved to a greater or lesser extent wherever tho Federation had taken a, hand in the proceedings. Then, again, he struck tho personal note. He showed how these weuld-bo unionwreckers were, whether they knew it or nob, acting as traitors to their class, and vividly depicted how tho finger of scorn would bo pointed at them by all organised Labor. Another thing ho showed, too, was tho injustice they won) inflicting on their children. Anil, mark you, that is always tho cruellest part of the wages of wrong-doing, that, pari where children are pointed at and j or red at by their fellows as being the. children of parents wdio have eifi'eneh'd society \n some' way. Our comrade showed all this, ami yet he did it in a way that, by any guilty person who was listening to him, the only emotion that could be f«*lfc was one of shame for being concerned in tho undertaking that was bring ceei-demne-d. If our comrade had tho chance to put in a few days here I am sure he would convince all of our opponents who could be convinced flint iho only hope of the workers is unity en tlie lines ed Industrial Unionism. In any case, the opposition party aro beginning to find out that their pr.rfieulnr vh-w of unionism does not iind favor with the majority of the emion, hen. Although many of our fellow wori.ci.s do in-t understand Industrial Unionism, thoy know enough to see that this move is one that is g")iug to benefit the employers only, consi'epii-iit'y they arc going to stand by t!..-ir union and havo nothing to do with the opposition party. .It is one thing fiir ;t worker to be in favor of arbitration methods, hut it it quite a dilferent midter to ask him to support tho formation of an opposition union : and there is no question that in any place where a union of workers is in existence hi-.y move to form an opposition union is certainly against the iiiieieKt cd' tin) workers. This game that is being pursued here is as old as the histuy id •.viige-jdav-ry •

it is the policy of tho employing class to set the toilers lighting among themselves, and then the boss can sit on tho fence and enjoy tho fun. Nobody has time to deal with him while they are troubled with internal strife. We cannot tell whether the move by tho opposition crowd here is due to ignoranco on their part of thiß old and well-known truth or whether there is another motive at the bag-k of it—one that is scarcely possible to believe honest working men would countenance. In any ease, it can bo relied on that the employer is piously trusting that the attempt to tie tho workers here with arbitration will bo successful. Hut he can set his mind at ease on that count— wo have had all the experience we want of that nostrum, and we want no more of it. There would not bo such a chorus from officials, etc., here in favor of arbitration if tbe employers thought they could deal bettor with the Federation.—SPKCTATOß.