The Federation and the "Time."

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 76, 23 August 1912, Page 5

The Federation and the "Time."

A CONTROVERSY. The following appeared in the "N.Z. Times" of August 13 :— "AN IDLE THREAT. "The statement of Mr. Howard, of the Red Federation, that that organisation is planning for a big aggressive movement later on is so much bombast. The Federation is practically bankrupt, and is existing largely on the money contributed by Australian unions win have been bamboozled into believing that there was something <loi.ig at "Waihi. When the Australians get the strength of the Federation, it v.-iJI be all over with the hold-no movement " The following appeared in the same newspaper on the next day:— " 'LOUDER THAN WORDS.' "(To the Editor 'N.Z. Times.') "Sir, —in your issue of this morning you say: "The Federation is practically bankrupt, and is existing largely on the money contributed by Australian .unions who have been bamboozled into believing that there was something doing at Waihi.' "As you would hardly be so emphatcally definite without strong proof, perhaps you will kindly be as reckless in producing your proof? I cordially invite you to do so—nay, challenge you to do so. Another lie will be neither here nor there. "Your efforts may be assisted by the accompanying, financial statement, which shows a total of over £10,000 contributed to tho strike and lock-out fund, over £8000 of the amount having come from unions of the Federation you term bombastic and bankruptDoubtless you believe actions speak louder than words, though by some strange affliction you can only see words in respect to the Federation. "In producing your proof it will further assist you to know that so far from 'existing largely on money contributed by Australian unions,' the strike and lock-out have cost the Federation large sums obtained from its normal sources. 'That there is -something doing at Waihi' your own columns appear to bear eloquent witness; but perhaps you do not read them. They don't seem to have counted for much among Australian unions. "Your statement may not be libellous; it is decidedly untrue. But go ahead, and smite —if you can! He laughs best who laughs last.—l am, etc., i •J. GLOVER, Sec. N.Z.F.L. "(Mr. Glover shows that' £10,032 17s. 3d. has been received. We challenge hint in return to show what has been expended. The fact that the workers have hern foolish enough to get together £10.000 for the Federation to spend in a losing battle- is proof of the bamboozling; if our information is right, the debit list will show the bankruptcy.—Ed. 'N.Z.T.')" The following silenced the maligner: MR. GLOVER AGAIN. (To the Editor "N.Z. Times.") Sir, —You seem to forget that the onus of proof is with you. You asserted without any qualification that "the Federation is practically bankrupt, and is existing largely on the money contributed by Australian unions, who have been bamboozled." You were challenged to prove so definite and serums a statement. You answered the challenge by challenging the Federation to show its strike expenditure, after I have already shown that of over £111', 000, over £8000 has been subscribed by the Federation you asserted to lie bankrupt. I went further and informed you that so far from existing on tho money from Australia the Federation had devoted money from its own funds to the strike and lock-out". Surely the best you can do is to withdraw your lying statements and express regret at making them, for obviously you know nothing at all about the matter. Your footnote to my letter is a mean and miserable evasion, a refuge in supposition. When the strike is over I shall bo glad to supply you with an audited account of our expenditure, which you should havi: known on your own charge.';. As to bamboozling and bankruptcy, perhaps your own liu-mess cmld tell a story. —i am, etc., J. CLOY!:;!?. S.-crotary. Wellington, Augu&i. 14.