Huntly Day by Day.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 86, 1 November 1912, Page 4

Huntly Day by Day.

Labor Organiser's Queer

Tactics.

RECRUITING MAORIS.

MEN SOLID AND NOT LEAVING

DISTRICT,

October 10.—The U.LJP. organiser returned; met by a reporter. Attempted to introduce new union move among pakehas; failed dismally. Organised with assistance of renegade "engine-drivers & meeting for Sunday morning among the Maoris. Wβ held a free concert in the marque© at night; it was packed. The news of 22 Waihi men going to jail thrilled us.

October 20—3.15 a.m., epeoial t»in, consisting of engine, guard's van and' one carriage, conveying Waihi men to jail, passed through here. It did not stop. Who pays for the special train in this case. 8 p.m., union .meeting in Masonic Hall. Raining heavily; 200 present, enthusiasm prevailing. Elan of campaign mapped out. All standing solid. Labor rally at night in the marquee. Several addresses were given on the situation. Rumor through from Maoris that 30 had joined new union, they having been told 25 pakehao had already joined.

October 21 —5.30 a.m. Six members Visited Maori pab to ascertain truth of rumor and persuade them to refrain from work. At 6.30 a constable arrived. A slight scene ensued ou*ng to the attitude adopted by the constable, who is evidently new to this kind of work. Five Maoris essayed to go to work. The constable rode across the river with /jibem, the pah being on the opposite side of the river from the mines. A big crowd met the Maoris on the town side. There was no demonstration ; simply a silent stare.

The wire from Secretary Glover endorsing the union and executive's action was received with enthusiasm. Concert at night in marquee. "While concert was in progress, the organiser from the "Voice of Hard Labor" essayed to address some of the men at the "Log." It was a foolish move, to say the least. Some of the fellows, with Constable Ingram, saved the position.

October 22. —Six Maoris went to work, escorted across the- river by a constable. At midday a. scene occurred at the "Loc" The JI.L.P. disorganiwser endeavored to mingle with the men —i'lio incident of the night before was too fresh. He would have been handled severely had not some of the union officials saved the situation, ' and, incidentally, tlie disorganiscr's skin. The constable appeared « trifle late on the scene, and made use of some indiscreet) utterances, which practically

amounted to challenging any two of the men to combat. While the feeling of resentment was still warm, a reporter, whose tactics call for severe censure, name down to the union office for news. One man among the fellows suggested to the reporter that a dip in the river would be good for him; tho reporter didn't wait. Concert at night. Grandma Green recited some incidents connected with the jailing of the last batch of Waihi men.

October 23—Five Maoris turned out under usual escort. Messrs. Fraser (executive member) -and Wesley Richards *nd Herb. Kennedy (of Waihi) arrived. The union executive discussed the situation with them. Wire through that Webbiarfd SempletwotiM arrive on Friday received jentnßßiastioally. The day.passed .quietly. Rich' ards and Kennedy gave-shorfc addresses at tbe.eoneert at night.

October.24-r-Two Maoris tnrned out to work. 'The Maori members of "the Union brought, inside pressure to bear on their fellows to .oeaee work; the two ■at work are ,mot Huntly natives, we are led to believe. A cricket match is a feature of to-day'e activities. The press reported that many single men had left Huntly and the boardinghouses were empty. The Maobu,and Wobeee to hand to-day reprints such report. It is absolutely incorrect. No more have left Huntly this past fortnight than usually do in this town. The men are solid, standing together, deter,mined to see this thing through.— BRUIT.