A Resolution and an Editorial.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 83, 11 October 1912, Page 4

A Resolution and an Editorial.

Tiv" following resolution was passed at the last monthly meeting cf the DunThn aud Suburban Carters' Industrial t'nion of Workers., with instructions that it should be forwarded to the Miniiler of Ju-tiec and the pre:-?: "That

i his meeting '*;f flu**-- Dunedin and Suburban Din-"'*.' Union notes with dis-

-ust the williiv_ur>f.s of the Government lo grovel af the feet of tester] interest by imprisoning the Waihi strikers for no other apparent ren:--'n than- that a breach of the peace, 'might.' have, occurred—a peace which had been rigidly observed by the miners during the strike; and, further, notes th« alacrity and easy conscience of the Government in pros'ituting the pover of the law in. the interest ot the privileged class as against the w nrking-clars, and calls ulinn the Government to immediately release 1 ber-e men." fen. men tine; odi'omlly on the forecoin.-; resolution (Vhich Du'tedin ' Star' 1 ,-]:-4-l;|,ed lo 'n-ertt the "Otago Daily Times" Hoi-1-.-; ilrflf up into n frenzy of fun*, bui .-.iiriek as if may about "stupid, inflammatory resolutions," •■nth their "d'stortion of the truth and manifostatKui of bitter malice," no intelligent, reasonable man, on a careful study of recent Waihi developments, can fail to come in the conclusion that the, police have been used to intimidate the strikers, and that the Massey Government has lent itself and its powers only too readily and easily to serve th interests of the mine-owners as against the workers. This misleading article of vituperation and reckless accusation comes with bad grace from a nape;- of the class that is always howling about the "roaring, ranting Reds" and their wild and whirling cart-tail oratory. It is worth quoting extensively as showing the kind of language that the "respectable" press can command on occasion. Here are a few slabs: — "A good many stupid resolutions, couched in terms that have betrayed ... a deliberate determination to misrepresent the facts of the case, have been passed in various parts of the Dominion since the commencement of the prosecutions which were necessary [What!— Ed. M.W.] in the interests of good order in flic mining town. The resolution of tbe Duuedin and Suburban Drivers' Union is, however, for its sheer distortion of the truth and for its manifestation of bitter malice, distinctly tho most discreditable that has come under our notice. [0 lor! —Ed. M.W.] . . . Intelligent and reasonable, people will indeed hold that a cause that has to be bolstered up by flagrantly mendacious statements and by grossly insult inc.-; surges'ions [Groat heavens!— Ed. M.W.] is so devoid of merit as to be undeserving of their sympathy. The coarse allegation [Dear, dear!— Ed. M.W.I that tho Government, which has efficiently [Ctrii!—Ed. M.W.] performed its duty at Waihi, has been animated throughout the proceedings by a desire lo advance the interests of a privileged class and Iho disfiraccful insinuation

that, justice was denied to the strikers who were summoned before the court ot Waihi are so contemptible [Gracious!— Ed. M.W.] as to be beneath uotice, and they will make no impression upon the minds of people who are able to look at matters broadly and fairly-

... It is perfectly plain that when the possibilities of their defeat [Defeat? In the lexicon of the Federation there is uo such word.—Ed. M.W.J began to dawn upon the supporters of the Federation of Labor their attitude towards' tho men who wero at work became nie'n-B.'-in£, provocative and productive oT alarm, so that there was abundant* ground for tho appeal to tho Government for extra police assistance. Tho evidence, moreover, against l most [Xotn the qualification.—Ed. M.W.J of the strikers who were prosecuted for behaving in a manner thnt was calculated to cause a breach of the. peace was overwhelming [Who said "Bats?' —Ed. M.W.J. .. - There was* uo need*" for them to go to prison. . . The majority, however, apparently consumed by a. desire to obtain a cheap martyrdom [A "cheap" martyrdom! Would the "D.T." editor he. prepared to pay the. same price for any one of his principles—if he's got any?— Ed. M.W.J or prompted by a foolish belief that the public would look upon them as sorely persecuted individuals, refused to attempt to fin* sureties for their good behaviour. . . . They may walk out of jail to-dny if they like. The Government is not keeping them there. They are detained only by their own mulish obstinacy. Any sympathy is wasted upon them except in so far as they are the dupes of their leaders." [Dupes of their leaders? Same old gag of the same old "rag."—Ed. M.W.J Anyway, the Massey Government's name is Mud, and if it retains power" after nest election the workers will deserve all that's coming to them. "Massey must go" must be the slogan of tho

workers