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 withdraw our support from the paper. Since the shearers could not possibly carry on, they were compelled to accept our terms.

We immediately cabled to Mr. Ross offering him the editorship of the paper; Mr. Ross wired his acceptance; and from that time can be definitely dated our control of the paper.

In Bob Ross the Federation was fortunate in securing the services of a propaganda journalist unequalled in Australasia. His early training in Queensland, together with his journalistic experience in Broken Hill, where he edited the “Barrier Truth,” familiarised him with militant unionism. From the very first issue he edited, he seemed to gauge the psychology of those with whom he was associated. The demand for the paper grew and grew. Throughout New Zealand enthusiastic workers pushed its sales. The editor built up a band of never-failing voluntary correspondents all over the country. A strong advocate of industrial unionism, an internationalist of penetrating vision, a pacifist to the backbone, but a fighter to the remotest depths of his frail figure, Bob Ross aroused working-class enthusiasm to a pitch it had never reached before or since.

As his sub-editor, I saw more of Bob than most, and frequently used to marvel at the mildness of manner of this retiring little journalist whose writing caused uproar throughout the land.

Ross, with a thumb and finger under his chin, a guileless expression on his face, and in the mildest tone imaginable, would give expression to the most startling and revolutionary suggestions. I have