Webb Returns.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 83, 11 October 1912, Page 1

Webb Returns.

MOST OPTIMISTIC. P. C. Webb, president o£ Federation of Labor, returned from Australia last week, landing at Wellington on Wednesday. He was met by Messrs. Semple, Dowgray, Howard, and Glover, and was in conference with them subsequently. "Paddy" looked in splendid health, and was most enthusiastic concerning hia reception in A.ustralia, and also most optimistic regarding the outcome of the strike and lock-out. The president addressed big meetings in Wellington on Sunday, and early this week left for the South Island. "AUSTRALIA IS WITH US." Mr. Webb, president of the Federation, said to a "-Post" reporter: "Australia is with us to a man. They recognise that* this fight is their fight. They have shown their sympathy in a practical hnandal way. I have been away ten weeks, and the collections, levies, and financial help wo have received for Waihi and Reefton from New Zealand and Australia now amounts to £18,590. In that amount £200 received by cable from Port Adelaide yesterday is not included. On my tour in Australia 1 learned that every union and Trades Council endorsed our appeal. Only in Sydney, by a majority of six, were we turned down." 'LOYALTY OF THE WORKERS." From further remarks made by Mr. Webb, it is clear that he expects that demonstrations will not be confined solely fo unions controlled by the Federation. "We have," he said, "all tho workers with us in New Zealand. We believe iv the loyalty of the workers of New Zealand whether they are in the Federation or not, in regard to the question of scab labor. They aro all against it-, and are all with us in that. They recognise it to be contemptible from the arbitrationist as well as the Federationist point of view, and they aro with us. We can count on them in that. The working-classes in Australia are with us too, workers and trades and labor councils, and they are working energetically and enthusiasti-c-ally to help v-:, realis'ng thai* theiv interests and ours are identical, .ihey have appealed to us never to have a defeat m our insistence upon the mines being worked under humane conditions, holding it- better to have the mines closed down than to liave them worked at the sacrifice of human life. Tho workers of Australia, then, as well as those of New Zealand, are with us in this light,"