Tramp Propoganda
After the May Day celebrations in Perth the writer and three or four fellow workers unable to find a kindly exploiter had to take to the open road. (note: Lunn, Goller and Sawtell were at Narra Tarra) After much boxcar riding and tramping we arived in the Murchison mining area. We worked at Warriedar, Boddera, Narra Tarra, and Vain Reef and nowhere did we leave behind us a reputation for hard work.
In our sojourn we spread the I.W.W. dope all we could by means of individual and on-the-job talks, also with stickers and literature. The weather was against us having an open air meeting in Geraldton so we left copies of Direct Action at working class houses.
Hearing that the shearing was coming on we hit out for the shearing sheds only to find that "no hands" were wanted but that there was plenty of work higher up. Lured on by this cry we walked over four hundred miles. "Your country needs you" apeared to us in its true significance. Finaly, we struck work on the Gascoyne. On all jobs we have fought for and obtained from the craft unions on the job recognition for the little red card.
At Narra Tarra the miners' union was talking strike. I was given permission to address them. I entreated them not to scab on Broken Hill by working for less rates. But the Narra Tarra slaves were more interested in the "fate of the Empire" than better conditions. Anyhow the bosses reply was to sack all who voted strike.
We have already held one meeting at Jimba Jimba shearing shed and we expect to hold another at some other shed, and a big one at Carnarvon before we leave this district.
It is pleasing to note that men who were crazy for the Labor Party etc. a few years ago, now look upon craft unionism with scorn. However we industrial unionists understand, "Each system carries within itself the germs of its own self-destruction.
Have just seen in the paper that fellow-worker Barker is to be released. Good! All rebels greatly pleased.
Direct Action 2 September 1916
