A Glorious Fighting Speech.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 71, 19 July 1912, Page 10

A Glorious Fighting Speech.

"TO THE BITTER END."

Millerton Magnificent—Webb and Sem pie Talk — The Press — Socialist Alertness. •

Things are moving here to some purpose. No sooner had wo reluctantly parted with friend Hartley than wo received a. welcome visit from Comrade Webb, who spoke on the Reefton and Waihi trouble. Over four hundred men and women gathered to hear him, and a splendidly enthusiastic meeting was hold. The speaker was frequently applauded, and at the conclusion of the address the following resolution was carried unanimously amid acclamation-. "That this meeting of Millerton workers strongly approves of tho stand taken by the Waihi and Reef ton miners, and pledges them moral and hn.'.neial support to the bitter end."

The following Sunday we had Bob Semple with us. Notwithstanding tho fact that lie had already addressed two meetings that day, lie bad driven f;om Denniston to Millerton rather than disappoint us. And what a meeting we had I Tho ball was packed to tho door. Every possible seating space and standing room was taken up, and right throughout tho meeting the greatest enthusiasm was displayed. It was a meeting that made ono glad to be alive. Mr. J. Dowgray presided, and with liim on the plat form'were J. Newman (vicepresident of tho local union) and Comrades Callaghan, Scott and Diamond from Denniston. The Denniston visitors wwv warmly welcomed with acclamation, and a short but forcible address was given by Comrade Callaghan, in which ho told of the decision of the Denniston miners to boycott the press which was fighting the Federation of Labor, and lilie hearty applauso which followed shoved the readiness of tho Millerton people to back up this action. Then for over two hours Semple spoke on tho Waihi and Reefton light, bis visit to Australia, the Federation bal-ance-sheet,, the forces which are tip Kiainst the Federation in New Zealand, and the need for oiit.-a;nd-out solid fighting —every man standing shoulder to shoulder in upholding the principles «* industrial solidarity against the

forces of oppression and reaction. It was a glorious lighting speech, and the frequent and hearty rounds of applause that greeted his remarks showed how solid the audience, was in support of tho Federation of Labor and its principles.

At the conclusion of the address, cheer after eh cor was given for the Federation of Lalwr, for Bob Somplc. and for the Waihi and K-eefton miners.

The following resolution was unanimously carried amid cheers: "That we again pledge ourselves to support, morally and financially, our comrades in lloeiton and Waihi, and to do our utmost to place victory on tho side of the worker*; and, furthermore, we agree to boycott the press for their unfair tactics adopted towards the oHieials of the Federation of Labor."

The Chairman shortly addressed the meeting, protesting against the Federation's secretary and organiser being allowed to give up their salaries during the term of the strike and lock-out. !is remarks were heartily endorsed by the audience, and the meeting agreed that officials who wero already devoting so much time and energy lo the cause should not be expected to sacrifice the whole of their salaries when the other members of the unions were simply paying a 10 per cent. levy. It was unanimously resolved: "That this union, affiliated with tho Federation of Labor, considers it unfair to allow the secretary and organiser to forego their salaries during tho strike, and strongly urges them to receive their salaries, less the 10 per cent, levy."

The enthusiasm displayed at. this meeting and tho fact that no member of* tho union has refused to pay tho 10 per cent, levy, £490 being the sum raised here to date., speaks well for tho determination to see the fight right through to a triumphant finish, "Those have rights who dare maintain them," and if tho samo fighting spirit that prevails here animates the workers throughout New Zealand, the present crisis will but servo as a stepping-stone to more glorious achievements in the progress to.yards complete industrial freedom.

"The future bides in it Gladness and sorrow. Wo press still thorow, Naught that abides in it Daunting vs —Onward 1"

The Socialist Party here is doing active work. Members are taking advantage of the opportunity offered by our meetings for tho development of their latent powers in the matter of public speaking, and tho result should be the bringing-out of some effective speakers to take part in the spread of Socialistic propaganda. Instructive discussions were held at the last two meetings on "1.W.W.: Its Origin, Structure and Underlying Principles," and "Tho Ethics of Socialism," the leaders of the respective discussions being Comrades M. Alack and J. Adams. At tho last meeting tho following resolution wa-s unanimously carried: "That this branch of the N.Z. Socialist Party strongly protests against tho proposed action of the New Zealand Government in importing regular troops from England to New Zealand ; such action being against the interests of the working-class of this country .-REVEILLE.'