The Strike'and the Lock-out.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 80, 20 September 1912, Page 5

The Strike'and the Lock-out.

A History and a Review.

Together with an Exposition and a Defence of Federation Policy.

XVI.—FEDERATION (AND OTHER) FINANCE.

i The revenue of the Federation of I Labor is derived from its affiliated ! union?, which themselves decide the I amount of capitation, as they do the j amounts for salaries, honorariums, exI ppuws. e\r. Ewry organisation ex"i----i eifp.s similar functions and claim? r-imi- ■; liir rrihU. The. matter is almost <?n----i tiroh on« for the organisation ron-epm<-i;l. Balance Sheets. J It will scarcely be believed, hut in the conscienceless press warfare upon thr> : Federation the kilter's balance-sheets were seized upon and twisted to convey j all sorts of suspicions to the workers, the object, patently being to appeal to the prejudices and kindred attributes of scantily-paid toilers, and so create dissension and distrust in tho ranks. A typical editorial remark appeared in the "Dominion," of Wellington. In a contumelious article on tho Federation's most recent balance-sheet it said : "Labor leadership is a not altogether unprofitable business"—and this although it had to admit thai Organiser Scrapie's salary was but £4 per week! No stick was too dirty wherewith to hit the hated Semple ; and many papers still harp on the "well-paid" agitators of the Federation. Of course misrepresentation concerning Federation bal-ance-sheets is a trick to make workers suspicious and so give tho foes an opening. Federation "fat" billets exist only in the Machiavellian inkpots of moneyJ debased critics. The Financial Facts. As a. matter of fact, the only fullsalaried officer of tho Federation is Mr iSemple. the secretary receiving only an honorarium ond other grants being infinifpr.imal. Since the strike, members of the executive have had nothing beyond expenses in then- necessary executive labors. Balance-sheets arc regularly issued, printed and distributed. They are audited by certificated nufliinrs. All expenditure must be sanctioned by 1 ho National Executive, and must he approved by national conference. The executive is representative of all industries; tho conference, is largo and union-appointed. The Federation of Labor is '•run morn ! economically than any organisation <>i j similar size and revenue. It is ques- ; tionable if any Labor organisation of the | numerical strength of the Federation of ! Labor can show greater economy in administration. Out of its revenue similar work has been transacted to that undertaken by the, Arbitration Court, and at a -cost tile merest fraction of what proceedings in the court would have necessitated and ignoring altogether the cost to the State of that institution. An attorney is retained for the use of unions. In addition to its other achievements the Federation has established The Maohtlasd Worker, with its own plant and in its own premises. What elso the members of the Federation liave received for their money, inclusive of improved conditions, is part of this country's Labor history. An Important Publication. A member of the executive of the [ F.L. (Mr. P. Fra.sor), in a corrective letter to tho "Gisborno Times," well ! put the lighter sido of tho widespread interest iv tho Federation's balaneo- ! sheet. An excerpt: "Judging by the amount of attention this document has received in the press, on the. platform. and iv the. pulpit (.for even in these high places it has not been considered unworthy of some slight attention) it must certainly be, so far, tho most important publication of the year. No other financial statement, whether of a public or private nature, jjias been considered worthy of one-tenth part tlie scouting and criticism showered upon this fortunate balance-sheet. Annual reports of all descriptions have been presented and have passed into oblivion practically unnoticed. No company prospectus, no company balance-sheet, no statement of exports and imports, no table of national income and expenditure, not even the exceedingly ambitit.ious, if rather vn ; \ed. financial account of the -United C?) Labor Party has been found so fascinating and all-engrossing. All of-which interest lias afforded considerable, satisfaction, not to mention amusement, to the mcinbers of the Federation. The document in question affords no scope for financial genius or literary merit. Therefore, the only satisfactory explanation of its wonderful powers of attraction is that the people of New Zealand, workers and employers alike, are. fully aware of the important part our organisation plays in the national life of this Dominion." Semple's Princely Salary. Perhaps the most contemptible feature of tho attack upon Federation finances is the constant insulting of I ho organiser by. editors and others. Editors who are, lying ;:boiit Scut pie'ssalary and feeding the "hard-ups" "i ; mistrust and envy, get ibrro, four. live. }>iul more vimes his weekly \vap.<\. which is £1 and not a cent. more. All talk otherwise is untrue. Men of the vsilii" of Semple can get "softer snaps" by far if they desert tho working-class. Thn workers pay their members r>2 Psirlia•uenfc £(> a. week, and. surely should not grumble at. pay inf. l : less In an organiser .worth a I'adrii.ekful of polifieians. H''mp!>> is oui- for the working-'-laf-s. H' , would not <fio for Parliament- Thos" who want, the ■bigli'vi. want's <-ou|/] not afford In sweat their employees. An organiser's minimum '"living is £-1. Workers' harrl-upncps is the state of affairs Swnplo and the Federation < Labor have com., to end—per One 8 ,, : Union light ing for his fu'l product, to every toiler. Thfi Levy. All -IhniU'Ji ''■'■• Mr:! ■• ami Iwck.oiil, evrv elTorl, has been made by ih" i;: ,, and other euoiei'-s m>l only to block contributions but. to in< i-hk;' Federiiiionists against paying the lr\y of II) n- ' ci'iil ii|i(!ii we.-Uy niniiir- ■:•■!"> ;<■<! lor the maintenance of t:lrikcro and loi.-i.vd-

out-. The nature of the effort need not be permanently recorded —all who have tasted lift- , through service to an unpopular cause will know with what weapons of innuendo, misrepresentation., appeals to cupidity and meanness, encourage no nf. of the. basest passions, and eWer, unscrupulous suggestion, their tees rnn operate. [I was ti-.it. anticipated by these ngain , it th , " . Federation that, the levy unuH be 1.01-r.ited-- iiv'Y evidently romil-cd nn Us break-down. Therefore, the splendid response of the sifiilialions soon began to startle., and finally to stagger. In this connection the generous giving of the section of it which founded the Federation constitutes a record, and will surely live. Writing in the sixteenth week of the strike, the/ "Evening Post," of Wellington, was compelled to admit that, ''contrary to expectations," the strike fund had reached rive figures. For all the world to sec a statement of the receipts at date appears elsewhere. It is worth keeping in mind tl.it the lev,? was not imposed until a fortnight i : fter

YOUFSG MEW ZEALAND'S OPTION.

With acknowledgments to "International Socialist."

the strike began, that it took another month to organise the machinery of contributing, and tliat six weeks af+er May 13 (the date of calling the strike) tho first statement of receipts was issued. It showed a. totnl of £2241 2s. ?i<l., <if which total £'J-JO-"i tts. Id. was sent by affiliations. Statements have been since issued weekly. Note the total at date. Unionists and Cash. We postpone for further treatment a characteristic press utterance anent the strike funds but deem this place the place most fitting lor emphasising the place of liitanco in working-class struggles. Notwithstanding anything of an opposite opinion it is incontestable fact that finance is still a big factor in industrial warfare. This apparently has to be learnt over again by many unions. Men on strike or loeked-out have to be kept. They cannot be allowed to suffer beyond a certain point. Unless unionists are prepared to help each other generously iv an. industrial light, they .shall prove unfitted for tho light and be worsted in it. The pennies oT the many can match the pounds ot the few, provided the pennies are given, and iiKMi and women, homes and children, helped over the crisis. .Even lavishly must unionists at work support men on surike. That is to say. it is imperative- that self-sacrifice be exhibited, additionally at strike times to other times. The spirit of giving must be open and free, and there must be a recognition of the truth that the fight is an allround one and not confined iv its operations or ramifications. Every unionist will be hurt or helped by the result at AVaihi and Hoefton. It is not a matter for Waihi and for Ked'ton alone, but for every unionist*— aye, every worker. The stage, we have to reach in. New Zealand is that whilst men un strike are without pay men at work will pay them. This is solidarity. This is an injury to one the concern of all. What Must be Understood. Lot those who are not nn strike try io realise that they might lia\e boon the strikers, and therefore without, any income; and realising it, also realise iiiat although a quart or or half ihoir wages went to the strikers, they are yet infinitely better off financially than if on strike, themselves. IWorkcrs ejui only win by being prepared to have thei' 1 porkels tnucher).. This is almost ;i,< necessary a part, of ilic light as the dowiiing of fools or refusing i<> scab. ''Common caii.-;! -,1 ' menus ninnriarv ;::<! as well as any oilier aid. Aim- union ni work liny ii. ;, 'lf be n " :-1 t i 1: < ■ ;il :inv lime ;im! in thnt hour all hen- sad will be as true r< y, it now is. Mass interest:; and r-lass pride forbid the workers to allow ;i section oi their class io ho har-a.si.i-d for the want n.f upluep. r.:'lhw;}\ all dm\ ii I'.ie e< n-tui-ies I:; ti'.'.- uathway of self-denial. Never vol. has anvliiing \wirih w inning heeil a\'oii witlioii' si Thousands oi' puunds eiiii I);' i'liui:-! for Home llulc, fur Salva ! 'ioii Army for English pour-relief, for charity, .-.port, antii , - , ; ineiii ■; a, , : , ! '■jirolifs' , ; • Ik.II liul I ! '<' VI <i i |,i ■ is 1 hen cf|iial ill gencrotiLy tho help to blood of their

blood and bone of their bone in class brotherhood? In a striko tho immediate thing to do, the imperative, thing to do, is t:i promptly and gladly pay a levy week by week —and be proud of the privilege t<nd the glory of participation in a working-class battle. The workers must fling in funds —enthusiastic in the call and cause. Capitalistic Finance. Recurring to th" motived objection to the cor-t of Labor Federation by capitalistic hirelings and chloroformed workers, how insincere and deli be ratively deceptive, it all appears when we contrast with it the conspiracy of silence respecting capitalistic finance. What, a long, long list- of "faked" bal-ance-sheets a wait;- to he treated! What a. iTcord of "frenr.ied finance" remains In h" ■written' Swindles in bunking and building roeietiV r ., i» money-lending at extortionate rates, in adulterated foods and poisoned medicines, and t-.o on a<l lib.—here a field for our aut-i-Federaiionist papers and publicists! What of workers, their widowed and their orphaned, crashed to ruin per pro-fit-hunting speculators hypnotising them and fastening like leeches upr their hard earnings? What of boonirand "corners" and bulls and bears covering the rascality of rogues and scoundrels, the, darlings of the "smart set" what of the operations of "captains ;: industry" and millionaire dingoes o civilisation? AVhat of .... H. G. Wells has referred to certain

political .party organisations as "ob scure and secretive conclaves with en tirely mysterious funds/ and perhap "Dominion" and "Times" and "Press , ' and "Herald," and all the venal rags of plutocracy could a tale unfold of party maintenance in this fair Dominion? And of newspaper palm-grease nud commercial bribery and corruption? Gold Mine-owners' Finance. As puny as whitebait to whale- is Federation finance compared with mineowners' finance. Tho "Mines Statement for the year ]911" (issued by Hon. James Colvin, Minister of Mines in the Mackenzie Cabinet) gives valuable mining tables, one of which is as follows:— AVRTFERGUS QUARTZ-MINING.

Questions to Ask. jN'oio ihv.i (he valno <>f I he hiillioii ohtiiiiK'fl from our 'iiiiirlr, mines durim; ■J'Jll amounted In .L-:i.:r ( T).2--)8, llin divi'.k'li'.l:; oi)',;ii]'.i'l lh(ioliy ainouiitinp; in ,fj.!.")l .!).■;!). \ol" il'nl one W'nilii ciiiiipjiiiv liiis iiclLcd over lour millions .sterling It' chdo in dividends! Ask if llic miners <'\-<M' (Icniiind. inquiries as to iiiiiu'-owiit'i's' lialiincoshcol's or scurnl'iilly pi'.i'Lidi , oi' dirrctiiriile mtcws, or slightingly .sliii'j:-i.fl ,-i I ''well !>:iid'' jiiiciisilos? Ask \\Jiut Mil- oi cuiiupLud or iooled

working-class organisations they are that help the vnnipiro mine-owners— chiefly absentees gorging at New Zealand's expense—in the terrific attempt at smashing the Federation of Labor. Do the mine-owners wish to break the Federation because it is not good for the, workers ? Ha, Ha, Ho ; Ho ! Hartley's Analysis. Other figures of mining "business" are positively paralysing. Mr. E. It. Hartley, the far-known British Laborloader and Socialist lecturer and author, while in Now Zealand spent some time in analysing mining figures and contributed the results to Maoiuland Woekeii columns. We glean the following particulars from his keen articles: "In the year 1910 (Government return) there were 43124 men employed in th« go Id mi nps of New Zealand. Thr dividends paid that year to purely idle and useless shareholders amounted vn £597,0:17. This is equal to £133 for every man employed. At 46 weeks' working-time each year, it is equal to .£3 a week profit on every worker. Waihi Mine— From £3000 to Millions! "Tlio Waihi mine was purchased for £3000. The present capital of the Waihj mine is £i 05,007 in £1 shares. How much of this is genuine capital jukl how much represents the profit oi thoso who purchased the mine for C3OOO wo do not know. But if every pound is genuine capital, advanced by the capitalists, it makes small difference to the results. Of tho 495,907 shares, only 147,000 are held by colonial shareholders, leaving 348,907 held in London. The mine is dominated from London. Last year (1911) the profit was £371,----■540. Twelve hundred men at £3 per week, working 46 weeks in the year, would mean a wages cost of £16o ; 600. In other words, for every £3 in wages the idle and useless shareholders would get over £6. Twice as much for the idlers as the wages of the workers. Let every tradesman consider what it would mean if these figures were reversed and the idlers had £3 and the workers £6. If the workers had three times their present income to spend in Wnihi and other parts of New Zealand, instead of this being sent to London, I lie result would be a trade boom in New Zealand. In 1910 the profit was £560,000. If the same number of men (1200) were working in 1910, for every £3 the men got in wages the shareholders would rc"eeive £10 10s. Three pounds a week for doing the work! Ton guineas for letting them workV Where is that Cold? "All this is bad enough, but when patriotic New ZoalaiioWs learn that the gold won—l like that word "won" ; what it really means, the cemetery at Waihi tells most eloquently—the gold won (by the lives and labor of the workers) to the end of April, 1912, was £9,943,554. Ten millions of New Zealand gold, and in tho Dominion all tho gold coin you have- got is a little over half a million. Where is that 9J millions? Who has got that 9i millions? Let us see. Dividends and bonuses paid up to the annual meeting in May, £4,443,434. This gives an average cf £180,000 a year in dividends for the 25 years of the company's existence. If the average number of men employed for the wholo 25 years has been 1000 per year —it will be much less —and the wages have been X' 3 a week for 40 weeks per year, the annual wages I;ill would bo f;138.000. This means that if there are 1000 shareholders wijh £500 each in- ; vested in the Waihi mine, and 1000 workers, for every £3 the worker has received in wages the idler has received .£4 in dividends: If the idlers put their £500 each into the Wnihi mine 25 years ago they will have received their capital back nine times over. This means they have had it out nine times, yet si ill have it in. If they had all died after receiving their money back once, it would not hive made, the slightest difference to the working i-f the Waibi mine. What Could be Done. "Socialists are often asked: Where would you Jind the tapitn] r , Whatwould bo scud if tho workmen demanded to be paid th'-ir wages nine times overYet this is what the capitalist has done nl Waihi. Don't yon think it is time that the idlers in London and elsewhere wen , told they have had enough of Svw Zealand to share out among tho idle mid useless, and that New Zealand \s going to resume possession of its own ; that, to \i«-.e the words of Msirx. "th■> expropriators shall bo expropriated?" But some people will ask: "What alout compensation?" For niysclf the compensation would come from those who Ym\ robbed Now Zealand ,o long. For the sake of those of weaker faith, let nif make a sound business proposition. Let the Government at the first meeting of Parliament decide to buy up the Wnihi mine, paving the full 495.907 shares the full pound, when the capitalists will have had their £1 ,back ten times over. Last year's profits wore £371.500, tho previous year £559,000, and in two years' time with similar results they will hnve £930,000 with which to pay off £500,000. If this is done, New Zealand need never again borrow money from any outsiders for any public works. Have the £430,000 profit coined into sovereigns, and you will never be short of money again. lv three, years' time the, wages of tho miners could be doubled, and in addition, for every £G they received in wages they would earn £1. for flic general revenue of Lhe Dominion." The Ci'oss for the Reformers. Mr. Hart-ley's weighty figures and Hi-giiiiicnl. must, compel attention. It is certain I hut they provide viiallor matter of statecraft, than liho shallow messing about with which our Parliament is overburdened. Ke:ul ihem over again. When the Federation gets the workingclass moving, men will go 1o Parlia- ! men! to make ihe. people owners of the [mining industry—which is one reason h\bv the "private interests" wish to ipuL it vo death. "And they cried out lite more exceedingly, 'Crucify him, cuicify \hiin. , " Miners' Risks. As au.'iinsl iiiiiio-(,\viiers' tiguivs pill now iiotue miners' figures.

"Fifteen years would seem to be the average length of an underground career—l'd years would be exceptional (five years' constant employment on machine drills is ( more than most men can stand)." —Jas. Williams in "Mineral Resources of Now Zealand." And then Jjo is "cooked" (in his own parlance)—unfit for any work, the spewed-up of the present brutal system. A Royal Commission reported: "Tho death rate among machine men from respiratory diseases is abov.i 30 times and the death rate 10 times as great as that amongst colliers of the Eamo age." Dr. Makgill, in a report on phthisis in Reef ton: 'W'c see here at Reef ton there is after the. age of 30 an increase in tho number of cases of consumption amongsh males, whereas amongst, females in RpefLon, and among both, sexes over the wrmln of New Zealand there is a marked drop after that age." Plague and Death. Wo might quote reams of even more dreadful testimony, but will not harass the feelings of our readers. Scan the evidence given before the N-Z. Mining Commission if you would be lacerated beyond endurance. The unchallengeable statistics are revolting. In country after country the scourge <<i miners' complaint lias begotten commission after commission, vntil finally tho weight of authority goes to show that miners' complaint, tragic plague and murderer as it is, could be wiped out. Could be wiped out!—yet over-grow-ing peril! Damning indictment of alleged public concern in humanity! Are you aware that during tho great coal strike in England, with all its penalties and suffering, miners' lives whole sale were saved —that is, not destroyed by fatalities —and accidents wholesale prevented—that isj maiming and mutilation wore non-existent because there was no diabolical blood-toll exacted by the industry? Tt would be arrestive but true to declare tihat strikes actually prolong life! Ths "Posjper" as Dejjo.ouiatar. The Mexicans and Kaffirs Rhodes cited as working the single-handed popper, with n. crafty suggestion that white men won , not to be beaten by Kaffirs — those seldom hist over four, years at underground work! Notoriously, i.hp death rate at Waihi and Reefton is tho largest in New Zealand, and some contend that it leads tho way in this respect r-mong. Australasian mining Jiojds. Mr. Fagan lias stated over and over again that the introduction of the single-handed ''popper" would necessarily increase the risk to life and limb by 50 per cent. Fifty per cent.! —try and realise what it means! And we.cry for population! You will perhaps understand why the Federation of Labor, whose leaders and members are largely made up of men who know the real truth from actual experience, are opposed to the use of the "popper" drill by one man, and why the miners are putting up so magnificent a- fight. The risks to health and life are great enough now. "Why make them more damnable? The goldmining industry can afford to give the men better conditions not worse. liir disputably. 0 Deathless Fight! Finely said Scott Bennett: "Our hearts go out to the men and women of Reefton and AVaihi. We have- naught but praise and cheers upon our lips for their courageous, hcioic rttituilo, then , solidarity. And yet we also hope that these are the last sectional strikes wo shall sop. In flashing to them our admiration and promise of sustained ami increased support, we also bid them remember, as many of them do, lhati the formation of One liig Union can alone make success certain in the daily struggles with the monopolists of natural and social opportunities; that a olr.ss union of all who toil can alone cause victory to perch upon the banner they hold on high in the last and final struggle for the- wovlil and the fulness thereof: for a life palpitating with tho real joy of living, a life that shall be enjoyed by man, woman and child alike."

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