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 the price of coal during the present crisis, drastic steps will be taken to prevent the consumers from being exploited.”

Another interesting resolution following a communication from Mr. Pryor, secretary, Employers’ Federation, reads: “That the secretary be instructed to wire Mr. Pryor re supplying Tyser line: That in the event of the Westport Co. attempting to supply the Tyser line or any other outside order, the Executive will be compelled to take drastic steps to prevent the same, and declines to grant the request.”

Still a further resolution: “That we emphatically protest against any coal being shipped out of N.Z. or the filling of any orders that would tend to interfere with the bonds of unity existing between the Australian and N.Z. Unionists.”

Later, the following cable was dispatched to the released miners’ officials: “The N.Z. Federation of Labour tenders heartiest congratulations on release of comrades, trusts persecution received has added to your determination to fight for overthrow of capitalism.”

This wider aspect of Unionism and the tendency to regard all labour questions from the viewpoint of class rather than craft was from its very earliest days characteristic of the Federation.

Not only did its active workers preach a policy of industrial unity, but an opportunity was never missed by the Federation’s officials to utilise the services of capable exponents of working-class philosophy at any stage of its existence. Indeed, in the