Fighting Lawless Law.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 82, 4 October 1912, Page 4

Fighting Lawless Law.

Sunday last was a notable day in Wellington. The meetings of the dayß before and on the night previous (although it rained Friday and Satur* day) had stirred the people somewhat, and their enthusiaem culminated in a record meeting in the Opera House oh Sunday ujghi>. AFTERNOON DEMONSTRATION. In the afternodn an meeting was held at Clyde Quay. It Was ft grey and gleomy afiefno6rl, cold And cheerless, with intermittent showers, a-M yet, at & £6Mervative estimate, the crowd #as At least 6000 strong. Mr. G. G. Farland presided', arid the speak* ers were Mr. E. Canham, Mr. John Pajne, M.P., Mr. P. Fraser, Mrs. Leach, Mr. J. B. McManus (United Labor Party) and Mr. Bob Semple. Mrs Leach, the wifd of a Waihi striker, had a- vef<p cardial fecepfcioft on ma-king net Wellington debut, anAj was gratified that she would be amp to go home and tell the men and women wofkefs of Waihi that Wellington was with them. Messrs. Canhata and Frasef wefe re* Sponsible iot vigorous speeches, Mr. Paj'ne supported the strike and strikers, and Mr. McManus (who was introduced as the sole member of the U.L.P. executive who had taken a straight-out stand for the Federation in tho struggle) put in a plea for" th 6 solidarity of Labor, but it was left fdP Mr. Semple, iii good fighting form, to Warm the audience up in a ipee*h both "meaty" and mirthful, with Some Quaint fruips, touches of apt mimicry, and rriaiiy solid facts aiid home truths. During the meeting & resolutiea pf<> testing against the imprisonment 6f the 45 jailed strikers, arid demanding their immediate by , the Government, was carried with but t(hfe« dissentients. EVENING RALLY. In the evening the Opera House was packed to the doors by 7.36, and thereafter hundreds were turned away, "fho Watersiders' Band opened with some excellently-rendered selections ark! next the vast audience joined in singing "Workers of the World, Unite." R. S. Roes presided, and the speakers were E. J. Howard, J. Dowgray, Mrs. Leach and R. Semple. Each speaker received a rousing reception, that accorded Mrs. Leach and Bob Semple being tumultuous. Before Semple spoke the following resolution was carried by "2321 votes to 6": "That this meeting of Wellington citizens congratulates the Waihi strikers on theff magnificent fight and demands the instant release of the 45 unionists HOW iii Mt. Eden Jail. ,,

The sea of hands in favor was inspiring and immediately three cheere rang but for the strikers of Waihi, followed with three more for Semple.

At the conclusion of Semple's address, to which the audience attentively and applausively listened until 10 o'clock, cheers were again given for the miners and for the "Federation, the huge crowd dispersing to the strains of another band item.

A retiring collection was made, and altogether the meeting brought in over £25. The afternoon meeting was responsible for £13 odd.

On the platform were members of the; F.L. executive, and Mr. Payne and other friends. A great rally!

Campaign at Wellington.

Mass Demonstrations.

OTACO COAL MINES' HWtHi

The following reeohitiofi was Caffied at the la#t meeting , .-^ "That we, tie members of the Otago Coal Miners' Union, view with disguSt and eendemnation the tactions u§M by the law against the men in Waihi »il imprisoning workers who were only 66tir I'endiAg for their.just rights, and Wβ call for their immediate release. , '