Runanga References

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 90, 6 December 1912, Page 7

Runanga References

There is no spot on the map of New Zealand that the Massey Government would sooner see obliterated than the little wet village, Runanga. Industrial Unionism thinks long and hard these days and nights, propaganda goes on, tales of, Waihi get told. "Though the sun go down in blood" went right home to us, and the former stiurdiness of industrial strength is still among us. Sympathy and fervor were the marks of the big meeting held her© on Tuesday, and every speaker was rousing in his sentiments. The loyal British Borough Council of Waihi, which never stopped many bullets in its time, nor marched many yards of desert sands, nor stormed many citadels for the "dear old flag," had a letter at last night's meeting of the Grey Borough Council, asking Grey to order the brawny-armed eons of toil to kiss the book, fall down and adore the flag that was dipped in the blood of New Zealand's first Labor martyr at Waihi, and otherwise swear a solemn oath of allegiance to George V. before they clean out the stinking sewers of Grey or sling muck for the borough, so help mc, God I The mayor or councillors did not go mafficking over the proposition, and finally turned the proposal down completely. Only one Little Englander, 16,000 miles away from his base, stood true, and this is how the ''Evening Star" reports him:—Cγ. Greenslade thoiight some action should be taken. The Union Jack was only a small emblem, but it was all they had to depend upon. Wo don't know much about Cr. Greenslade in Runanga, but we think he is rather a "small emblem." Wβ commend the better judgment that prevailed against him. A Waihi fugitive paid us a flying visit through the week and told us some gruesome tales. The Women's Branch of the Socialist Party met on Thursday night, and had another interesting evening. The Library Book Committee met on Thursday and chose about 100 new volumes, to arrive as early as posible. Mr. A. Shannon, of Dunollie, has purchased Mr. J. McCormack's place at Runanga, and intends building on the scene of the late fire and starting business as a general dealer. Comrade R. Knight returned from Christchurch through the week. He had been east attending Sunday's demonstration, and gives glowing accounts of the big meeting there.—BALLOTBOX. November 22.