Huntly

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 92, 20 December 1912, Page 4

Huntly

The decision of the Huntly miners to accept the advice of the Federation executive and join the alleged arbitration union will not create enthusiasm. In the view of the executive another strike could not at present be wisely embarked upon and hence the action taken—a regrettable necessity indeed.

The decision was reached at a largelyattended meeting of the AVaikato Miners' Union held on Sunday, December 8. Tho arbitration union—a treacherously scab "fako" if ever there was one —had boon recognised by the Taupiri Coal Mines Co., which company had set itself out to crush militant unionism and had made an agreement with a few pets practically victimising all who adhered to the genuine and old-standing union. If the bosses have gained their end bo sure their sin will iiud them out. AVo understand that it was only after lengthy discussion that a resolution was carried almost unanimously that the old union should accept the inevitable and join tho legally-registered but bogus and strike-breaking affair. A deputation of two was appointed to proceed to Auckland with a view to obtaining the reinstatement of the members of the executive of the old union as employees in the mines; with what result we have not heard. The local paper says: "The new union will thus have an immediate large accession to its ranks, with officers at its head who hold moderate views and are desirous of working amicably together with the employers." Oj-cs! Compelled to get under arbitration — now so degraded that it will stink into infinity—the miners of Huntly will be different material to what wo took them for if they do not swear a vendetta against tho unspeakable section that would an it could have been the means of evicting them ruined from the field had they gone on strike against the infamous conspiracy.

As for the arbitration that is said to be non-compulsory and has come so cunningly to the upkeep of scabbcry, it is of a piece with the alleged freedom that tells a man ho needn't work or a woman she needn't consent under such and such conditions the while knowing that starvation is the only alternative.

As for the Taupiri Co. and the tools it used, let neither directors nor backers nevermore prate of honesty nor cleanness. Let them nevermore point unctuously to the " 'orrid examples" of older countries while they remain for all honest folk to avoid as a pestilence.

As for the lesson of it all, it is that the educational and agitational work of the newer unionism be pursued with cyclonic zest until the workers grip tightly the rescuo-line of One Big Union and thereby reach safety, salvation and supremacy.