SECRETARY'S NOTE-BOOK.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 74, 9 August 1912, Page 7

SECRETARY'S NOTE-BOOK.

By M. LARACY.

Shearing time is once more drawing near and soon we will hear the click of the blades and the whirr of the shearing machines. Sheds are already being filled and everything points towards a good season for both shearers and shoenownors. Tlk> £1 per hundred is now an -undisputed fact, and no shearer would for a moment think of engaging under that rate. * # * This is the last season -under the present award for shearers, but the shed hands' award will not expire until 1914, by which time we trust our Association will comprise the whole of the pastoral workers in this Dominion. ; * . » » During the approaclJing season a ballot will be taken to deal with the question' of cancellation of registration under the I.C. and A. Act. Should the Waihi and Rcefton trouble still be raging, our members will bo called upon for financial assistance. and I hare no doubt the response will be- worthy of those bush workers who have built that grand organisation, the A.W.U., in Australia, and whom 1 trust will do more than their share in the fight for better conditions for the generations to come in this "'God's own country." .? * * A number of readers are Surprised when reading the report of donations to The strike fund to find that the Shearers' Association is not collecting the levy, and it might be well at this stage ( to explain why. Shearers, when the season is at an end, get into the towns and become wharf laborers, general laborers, jaiuers, etc., while a large percentage cross the pond to Australia, returning about the first week in November. Those men who travel to and fro take a pride in producing their levy tickets, and were they in New Zealand at the prpsent time they would not be backward in coming forward to assist those workers who are forced to remain idle at Waihi and Reefton. Those members of our Association on the waterfront, at general labor, etc., now in New Zealand, aro doing their share- at the present time. * * • We realise that the miners' fight is our fight too., and while those miners are fighting our place is right with them, and there we will be found at the finish, though it might mean that the Waihi mines will become a thing of the past. At one time it appeared to mc that the workers of New Zealand were going to be influenced by those who would forsake their class when trouble faced them, but I misjudged them, and at the present moment I do not fear failure for those Waihi and Reefton miners. *-* • * From Rod Mcßae in Masterton, A. McLeod in Wanganui, A. J. King, A. M. Hall and F.. Waddell of Timaru, Wm. MeLennan of Blenheim, J. Cooper of Christchurch and many others who have taken a prominent part in build-ing-up the Shearers' Association come letters of encouragement for those at Waihi and Reefton. » * * I trust the fight will be won before the shearing season starts, but should it not be I have no fear of our members shirking their duty in assisting those who have fought a fight which will not be forgotten and which will go to make the Labor movement what it should be in New Zealand. k m * The workers of New Zealand as a whole, and not the miners alone, would suffer if they allowed the Waihi miners to be fored back like whipped curs. We will not dwell upon that aspect of the case, as there is no danger of it coming to pass. Let us do our duty to each other and await developments. ,i * * , ■ There are two lessons to be learned from the strike —they are the value of a Labor journal and the necessity of electing to the House of Representatives men who will legislate in the interests of the masses who create wealth and not in tho interests of absentee landlords and speculators living in luxury in other countries. * » « If you want to see your paper a success, support those who advertise in its columns, and induce your friends to become subscribers. Better still if you are in a union where it is possible to hold meetings, hammer away at you* fellow-members until you have the satisfaction of knowing that the paper is being read by all. If it is not just what you would like get in and assist in improving it, as it is fighting your battle as no other organ is doing or likely to do. WTiere you do your shopping mention The Worker and advise them to advertise in our (your own) paper. Do this, fellow-workers, and in a very short time it will be on a solid basis and a mighty weapon in the hands of the workers. Tt * * if you desire to place worthy representatives of the working-class in the House to guard your interests, get your name on the roli and vote for the man you know will fight for you. « * • I would remind members of the Association that nominations for the pesition of president, general secretary and organisers for 1913-14 should be lodged by September 30. * • • I desire to thank those who have forwarded suggestions re shearmg-sheds list. » ' ■ General secretary T. White, of tho N S.W. A.W.tJ., has resigned on grounds of health, and the executive council has agreed to the appointment of E. Grayndler to the secretaryship. ** ' * Applications for positions as organisers for the coming shearing season should be .in the secretary's hands by August 15. All financial members are eligible for appointment. * * * Addresses wanted by secretary:— Wm. Fisher, late of Christchurch; C. Reardon, shearer; J. O'Halloran, shearer. • « • • The greatest mystery on earth is the union man who votes for his employer. » * # All those requiring a copy of memento of Donald MacdonniU should apply at once. Price, Is. 4d.