In all, I collected some £1,000 on the tour. Mr. Pritchard was not nearly so fortunate, as his mission appeared to have resolved itself into a controversy on the question of Arbitration between union officials and himself.
I visited Wellington, Auckland, Waikato, and the Auckland goldfields. When I reached Onehunga—the Main Trunk was not completed at this time—I was met on the wharf by Mr. Arthur Rosser, of Auckland. During my stay in Auckland, Mr. Rosser arranged my meetings and rendered every possible assistance. Every Union with which he was connected forwarded a contribution to the strike fund. It was on this occasion that I met for the first time Mr. M. J. Savage, now deputy-leader of the N.Z. Labour Party. He, too, assisted me in every way. Also Mr. Tom Long, then, I believe, connected with the Enginedrivers’ Union.
I visited the Goldfields, and received much encouragement and assistance there. At that time Mr. H. T. Armstrong (now M.P. for Christchurch East) was president of the Waihi Miners’ Union, and the friendship formed at that time has been cemented through the years.
A TASTE OF THE LAW
In due time I returned to Blackball. After I had been back about a week, I was approached by the local constable, who informed me that he had a warrant for my arrest for refusing to pay the fine inflicted in the Magistrate’s Court arising out of the “crib”-time incident.
Said the constable: “I am supposed to lock you up to-night, but if you will meet me at the corner at nine to-morrow morning, it will be all right.”
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