Red Ball at Blackball.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 83, 11 October 1912, Page 7

Red Ball at Blackball.

SECRETARY ON STRIKE AND

LOCK-OUT.

The Blackball Miners' Union held a very successful ball in Stevens' Hall on September 20, in aid of the wives and families of the men on strike and lock-ed-out at Waihi and Reefton. The hall, which has lately been considerably enlarged, held a joyous throng, the majority of whom "tripped the light fantastic" with flying feet and merry hearts. Tasteful decorations of evergreeus, banners, and streamers, one'of winch — "Our Only Hope is Federation—took up its whole width, adorned th<? hail; while the ladies provided a recherche supper and the exhilarating music woufd have moved a mummy to trip a measure.-

During the evening several songs were Tendered, and Mr. VV. Rogers, sectary of the union, addressed the asaenrWage, explaining that the function was held in honor of the N.Z.F.L. and the workers of Waihi and Reefton, who were ("it the present time engaged in the class struggle that was continually going on between tho. small Mini*' ber who made up the owning or employing class on the one hand, and the great mass of the people who made up the working-class on the otli<?r hand. The Federation was the only .militant working-class organisation in this Dominion that was out to tight and cut out of society this class distinction, and its object was the emancipation of the working class. The class struggle must and would be recognised by all workers, and it behoved them to do all in their ! power to assist those grand men and WXjaien of Waihi and Reefton. All the forced oi capitalism were being brought to »ga inst tne Federation. Every leve." »* was P° 93 ' ,jle t° use was being u_eJ to tr ? aud kill iX > bSit he felt sure that) rto forces (:oulA Bto P its growth. In co^ luslon ' h * wiahe *- 1 to heartily .thank theV 1 *" f <"* attendance and their ge^ ri3US response. Then it wa* a case of w ' th the dance, let joy be uncorifined/' *" d W^6U the ball broke up in the *&*' 'oors ayont the twal," one and *» wended their way home in eostacies over the most successful function ever held in Blackball. The result of the ball was financially very good, a credit bal«nce of about £35 or £36 remaining after the payment of all expenses. Braro, Blackball!