I met with a splendid response from the miners of the West Coast of Tasmania. I addressed meetings in all the mining centres from Bischoff to Linda Valley. Whilst in Mt. Farrel, and only a couple of days after I had left Mt. Lyell, that fearful tragedy occurred, as a result of which a large number of men were trapped in the burning mine. Some four ex-New Zealand miners whom I had known on the West Coast, in order to spend half a day with me before I left Queenstown, changed shifts and were out of the mine when the tragedy occurred. I sometimes think that but for this action they, too, would have been among the victims of that holocaust.
In Queensland I was most cordially received, and generous helpers were not lacking to make my visit there a success. Brisbane had but recently emerged from the throes of a general strike, and with their knowledge of what a great upheaval meant my task was made much lighter than, perhaps, would otherwise have been the case.
On this tour I met some of the finest characters it would be possible for anyone to come into contact with, and established friendships which have lasted through the years that have followed.
I spent about seven months in Australia on this mission, and travelled many thousands of miles, and addressed hundreds of meetings—sometimes as many as six in one day. In all, £9,395 7s. 6d. was received from Australia towards the support of those involved.
I was in Brisbane, and about to address the delegates attending the Brisbane Trades Hall Council when I received a cable announcing the murder of
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