The Blacklegs' Manifesto

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 90, 6 December 1912, Page 4

The Blacklegs' Manifesto

We do not intend to deal at any length with xhe manifesto of the Waihi self-styled loyal and Christian "Arbitrationists." AYe publish it in order that our here and abroad, may get right close up to the "make-up" of the Federation's foes. For those who like the sort of thing it is just the sort of thing tht'y will like. We are satisfied to leave judgment in the hands of unionists tho world over. ''Loyalty" so ostentatious, and "true Christianity' , so snivelling have ever hern the refuge of renegades and reactionaries wiV'liiu the ranks of Labor.

Wo should say that the very attitude displayed to the police, to workfirs' imprisonment, to the unionist shot ("would-be assassin"), to his ill. shocked, lacerated, bereft and demo mod widow tending her two little oni>s; (."whoso wife, stayed at home"), to tho Rod I'lag, and to the strike, generally would carry the condemnation of the manifesto and its issuers. At all events, gentlemen who so view tho Federation or' Labor as they describe it had plainly to be fought.

J .;■ is delightful to read that the police ''strove niigfhtily," but without success ''to restrain the infuriated" Christians from "showing patience in suffering and mercy in victory." Also, to find out who carried the firearms. As for tho gelignite , , our readers know that there, was' "mobbing" when it was thrown, and they know that it was part of the "mobbing," and that selfconfessedly the arbitrationists were the mobbers. Indeed, shorn of its lies, the manifesto is unexpected corroboration of the charges we have, made. The

new union" glories in its riot

The answer to the manifesto as far as the Federation of Labor is concerned is that the Federation has staked its all on the findings of an inquiry, and is everywhere vigorously demanding an inquiry, although the "Arbitrationists' " Mayor think? i.r unnecessary and patted Mr. Herdman on the back for also thinking so.

For the rest, be our arbitrationists never so pure and undefiled, it remains indisputable and established that gentlemen who go to work in strikers' places during a strike are scabs, blacklegs, strike-breakers. Nothing can get over this elementary fact.

And our gentlemen of Waihi are scabs, who hadn't even the excuse of economic pressure, but were bluffed or bribed, flattered or purchased into scabbe ry as detestable as anywhere in the whole wide world.

As for the gemiemen who took strike pay ere they succumbed to a, higher price, our readers, here and abroad, may, an they choose, admit the truth and the justification of all these gentlemen say—but even then, nothing can explain away their readiness to be recipients of the strike pay they tried subsequently to deride as "charity," and nest seeking employment as scabs. At what wages will never bo known.