The ownership of “The Maoriland Worker” building and plant had to be safeguarded in the interests of the unions that had subscribed the capital to establish the paper and to maintain it during the dark days of its existence. Although the Federation really went out of existence at the conclusion of the July Congress, it was found necessary to legally maintain it till as late as February 12, 1915, when the final meeting was held in Wellington.
This meeting was attended by Messrs. J. Dowgray (chairman), Semple, Coppersmith, O’Rourke, Fraser, Diamond, Howard, Alexander, Fagan, and Glover.
Of the seven delegates who took part in the establishment of the Federation in August, 1908, Mr. R. Semple was the only one who assisted in its obsequies, nearly seven years later.
The resolutions responsible for the final act are as follows:—Moved by Mr. Howard and seconded by Mr. Semple: “That we transfer all the property of the N.Z. Federation of Labour to ‘The Maoriland Worker’ Co., Ltd., which is to be registered immediately.”
Moved by Mr. Alexander and seconded by Mr. Fagan: “That the Secretary be instructed to cancel registration of the N.Z. Federation of Labour as soon as the registration of ‘The Maoriland Worker’ Co., Ltd., is completed.”
Thus ended the life of an organisation that in its day aroused the workers of New Zealand to a height of militancy that had never been reached before or since. Its ready response to appeals for help, financially or otherwise, its promptness in supporting any cause in keeping with working-class philosophy, no matter how unpopular the cause may
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