Runanga and the Strike.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 82, 4 October 1912, Page 7

Runanga and the Strike.

"THE BATTLE-CRY OF FREEDOM

HAS REACHED US."

By BALLOT-BOX.

There was the very greatest concern here when it became known that 45 men, including W. E. Parry, vice-presi-dent of the Federation, had been ruthlessly jailed at Auckland as the latest development of the Waihi strike. The appalling news taught us nothing; it only further impressed us with the fact that those whose hands already are red with the blood of the sacrifices the workers have made down through the ages are as eager in this twentieth century of light and knowledge to show the predatory instincts of a yet only half-civilised humanity to their fellowmen ; it only dug up for .us the unpleasant recollection that human greed and human thirst for the product of another's twil will enlist the weaker and more adaptable units of human society —police, prees reporters, etc. —to work their sordid wills upon those braver spirits who, with indomitable courage and high resolve, will ever stand up for the imperishable principles of the working-class. This article is intended to bid our comrades of Mt. Eden Jail to be of good cheer. Their action will never die in New Zealand. Sacrifices must, unfortunately, be made. 'Twas ever thus. "What good gift have ye, my brothers, that came not from loving sacrifice?" But it will not daunt the'dauntless ; it will not unnerve the brave; and it will not do the working-class any harm in New Zealand. Comrades of Mt. Eden I Wβ greet yon from Runanga. Miners of Waihi who with brawny anne have toiled in the rock-bound, cavernous hells of the north, we greet you from the south, as you have been greeted from the east, as you will be greeted from the west through the tireless efforts of Webb and Hickey. This little village is solid. The splendid efforts of our comrades all through the Dominion and right through Australasia prevent us from any boast; but we are not yet at the end of our efforts. We have not and cannot for-

sake yon. To-day we help—morally ani financially—and a favor to-day is a promise of another one to-morrow. All the intimidation, all the threats of capitalistic oppression cannot daunt yon and toannot undo your work. ''Their statutes may crush, but they cannot kill The patient sense of a natural right; It may slowly move, but the People's wiß, Like the ocean o'er Holland, is always in sight" We push these words of an exiled kindred spirit through the prison bars to you, brothers, through that splendid organ you have done so much to raise— the good old Maortland Worker. It is the only weapon we have in New Zealand that sends forth the printed word that cheers the weary on their way, that spreads the good news of working-class victory all the world over to the hearts and homes of our workers. We shall have other words to say, and other deeds to do as this struggle goes on, but we would assure you in conclusion that the battle-cry of freedom has reached us. We have heard it echoed from the hills of the north. We know its ring. Wβ recognise its strong and hopeful strain. It rings true. We reciprocate, until that greater day when the working-class of New Zealand will all stand united in one grand phalanx and bid defiance to organised robbery, tyranny and fraud.