Potter and Foster at Tokomaru

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 91, 13 December 1912, Page 12

Potter and Foster at Tokomaru

♦ WARM RECEPTION FROM THE "FLAXIES." CHEERS FOR THE FEDERATION. Under date December 4, a correspondent writes:— I have to report that two "arbitration" creatures from Waihi endeavored to hold a meeting here last Monday night. The first intimation that we had of the matter was through the receipt of circulars, which were distributed about midday on Monday. The boys here first thought that the thing was a hoax, as you will see from the circular that the dirty tools who were going to speak had not the courage to have their names put on the circular. However, the boys rolled up to the hall in force, the majority wearing their red rosettes, and we then learnt that the speakers were two individuals named Potter and Foster. They had arranged for a local resident named Simpson to take the chair, and in his introductory remarks he stated that we were invited there that evening to hear the true facts re the Waihi strike from Potter and Foster. Immediately he sat down J. R. Brown arose and said that he intended to give the two scabs on the stage an early indication of the sentiments of the workers present by calling on them to stand up and give three cheers for Sernple and the Federation. In an instant every worker present was on his foot, and the three rousing rheors which followed could' have left no doubt in the minds of the two scabs as to the reception which they would receive. Potter then came forward to speak, but he was immediately met with cries of "dirty scab," and then a volley of hoots and groans. In less than twe minutes he was convinced his chance of getting a hearing was nil. arid the charniaii rose and appealed for order, but the boy* gave the charman to understand what they thought of his action in taking the chair for the two blacklegs who were there for the purpose of endeavoring to plead a rotten cause. The chairman then left the platform, followed by the two scabs. In response to the wish of the boys, Brown then, mounted the platform and proceeded to tell the two scabs in unmistakable language our opinion of them and their capitalistic masters, whose debased tools they are. If it was possible to have sent a sting of shame into their black hearts then surely it must have been done that njght. Potter got up and asked would it be acceptable if they returned and took the platform with two officials of the Federation. Of course, this wa* just a bluffing statement to try and coverup their defeat, but we challenged them to come back to Tukoinaru and take tbe platform on those conditions. Of

course, they said they would do so, but we don't think they will act up to their word. Wβ then escorted the scabs to the railway station, nnd they departed from us amidst the hoots of the assembled crowd. This is the wording of the handbill circulated:— THE WAIHI STRIKE EXPOSED. Come to-night and hear the Truth from Waihi Arbitration Workers. Federation of Lnbor: Its Trickery and Deception Unveiled; its Rottenness. Folly and Humbug. The Truth Revealed. STRIKE QUESTIONS ANSWERED. Come and hear Arbitration, Commonsense, Patriotism, and Citizenship upheld. Federation lemornnce, Hysteria and Anarchy Condemned. Come To-night. Hear. Ask and Learn the Downright Facts from Waihi Arbitration Workers . TOWN HALL - - - TO-NIGHT.