I mention these few names (there are a score or more that should be mentioned if justice was done those earlier campaigners) to show the type of men that the insurgent forces at work in New Zealand’s Unionism brought to the surface.
To pursue a policy of constructive agitational, educational and administrative work, no matter how intelligent the rank and file may be, is only possible if capably directed. And what I do claim for the Federation is that its affiliated membership appointed as its officers men who were capable of undertaking any task that came their way and had courage enough to see it through, no matter how beset with difficulties the way. They were fortified in their work by the certain conviction that they had behind them the unwavering support of the entire Federation membership.
I make a further claim on their behalf, and that is that there was never a better-balanced team in the Labour Movement in this or any other country. There were all the elements that made for dash and daring, tempered with a caution that made what might appear reckless and unplanned attack to be revealed as well-thought-out strategy.
In those days we were all in deadly earnest. We were often accused of being fanatical. Perhaps to some extent we were. Certainly, we were intolerant in many respects. We were so convinced that our tactic was right that it was inconceivable to us that any intelligent worker could possibly do other than rally to our cause.
Undoubtedly our earnestness and dogmatism were factors which were responsible for our strength. Unless a delegate was a Socialist and Industrial Unionist he received but scant consideration
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