THE SPREAD OF THE RED.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 65, 7 June 1912, Page 10

THE SPREAD OF THE RED.

Notes from the West Coast. 0 nation? undivide<L 0 single people and I ret, We dreamers, we derided. Wo mad,, blind men tliat see, Wo bear ye witness cm- ye com*. That ye shall be.—Swinburne. Say. comrades. <-an you tell mc wliethei the Fates drive cr load? It is some sis years ago since my hobnails first struck out on the industrial paths ol the West Coast, and after five years' Absence- I again tie a Weft Coast bowyang. Within that brief period thou- have boon years throbbing with vital issues for the dungarocd class: the mighty, formidable Federation oi Labor and 21 branches of the Revolutionary Socialist Party bear tangible and arrestive evidence of tho struggling: iorgmg elements within, these isles. Ultimatums have boon sent forth from waterfront and inland disinherited workers. Wat! War is waged in the industrial held, and the signs of the times index at a near date the struggle of the toilers and the Revolt Triumphant. Sis years ago I remember well that Socialism was "little heard of hereabouts. The matters of deepest concern te tho workers wore summed up m the question of whether Protection or Freo Trade was the better for the country. Dick Seddon had just passed into the Unknown, which marked a disaster, a catastrophe, to the \vcalthe'reatora, for they had all their hopes, golden and clayey, invested in "King Dick." Tho South African war was yet fresh in tho loyal New Zealamlers minds, and hearts V-at- true to the Union Jack and Empire. To-day I witnessed a most magnificent exhibition of awatoened classconscious youth in the form of administered Direct Action. A trucker had kicked over the traces the previous day. and was ordered not to return to work until be hao 1 seen tho manager. The guardians of tho wheels of industry called a halt, and issued notice that not a sprag would he lifted until their mate was going with them and the rights conceded. Solidarity. And solidarity won. Short, silent and decisive! Protection, free trade and hearts of the Empire are like Jack London's Bishop of the "Iron ncel," "up in the air," and the wage-slaves are discussing Industrial Unionism and Socialism. The meeting of Comrade P. C. Webb was this humble philosopher's lodestar for months. I was to hail this steadfast son of Revolt, this pulse of the proletarian strength moving towards emancipation and freedom, on the West Coast. Not long after my arrival on Donniston, I was returning from the breach of the pick-swingers, when I met a trio—Scott, Dowgray, and Webb—coming over the rocks. After parting, the desire to bear Webb on the stump was deepened. 1 had heard Semple, Dowgray, Ross, Parry and other moving forces, and I awaited Webb. The Denniston miners were making the gigantic coal monopoly, the W.C.C. toe the tragic line that capitalism draws between tbe toilers' bread and butter and dividends for tbe nonproducers, the idle rich. And there stood Webb, "hewing to the line, letting the chips fall where they may." The class struggle was indeed crystallised in his burning words. The same evening—surely the Fates lead. —the infant Socialist Party branch was to unfurl the Red Flag on Lhe Hill, and Webb and Dowgray gave us an excellent, send-off. A verilable intellectual feast. Webb the student, the deliberate, thought-stirring oralor! Forward, thou sinew of the Red! Westport comrades in lhe struggle for freedom called upon the valions branches of the Socialist Party en this part of the Coast to assist in Hie forma I ion of a branch in the town where the ships come in, and a recent eventful Saturday brought, the comrades together. After a brief preliminary greeting, we gathered round the snapbox. Comrade Stephenson, president of fhe Wharf Laborers' Fnion. was chairman, and carried out his duties well. Comrades Hunter and Callaghau. of DennMnii, staled the case for Socialism. The Westport people attended the meeting well, numbering about :tOO. An excellent bearing was accorded the speakers ■throughout. Three ohoers wene heartily given for lhe Ited Flag and Revolutionary Socialism. Comrade T. Shaw is secretary of the new branch. The DcuuHoii comrades are forging ahead. Meetings are now being held regularly, and 'lhe lUf oT avowed Socialists is growing. On Sunday. May 12. a meeting -mis hold in the Volunteer Hall. Comrade Diamond prcsidiu-. ; Comrades Hall Hate of Huntly nod Pripongii'l and Hunier gave nddr< ssis. ill'- former upon "Frolui ion" and lhe b,iler upon "The Basic Principles of Socialism." Tiio West Coast comrades await 11-ii-lb-v's coniiic campaign with high «i-e,,es.' Six veins a"o! And I am wondering if Comrade P. C. Webb's suggested plan of organisation amongst the biau<-he« of I be S.P. on (lie Cast ulll «v>m<> into operation t«ni, which in-

eludes the interchange of speakers. Six years ago! Forward tho firebrands and working-class I On, on for the Revolution!-BILLY BANJO.