Campaigning on a Bicycle May 11, 1895.

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE, MAY 11, 1895.

The Reform Movement.

Letter from Labour-member M'Donald.

ED WORKER, – Leaving Hughenden on the 30^th March, in company with Editor Riddle, of the Charters Towers Eagle (both of us on bicycles), I reached Winton on the 1^st April. Riddle couldn't suffer riding on wheel; and after the first day out he thought discretion the better part of valour and put back to Hughenden. Seeing that he was quite a novice at the game he deserves credit for making the attempt.

On the 2^nd April I addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting of men, who appeared to be the “all right” sort. Reached Kynuna on the 4^th and addressed another meeting there. The general opinion amongst the people around Kynuna is that if the Labour element in that and the other localities of the Gregory put their shoulders to the wheel squatters' agent Corfield can be sent to the right-about next trip without much difficulty. But hard and consistent “graft” is necessary.

After another run of 53 miles I struck Mackinlay shortly after dinner-time on the 5^th, where another rousing meeting was held, at which the Labour Party and myself received a unanimous vote of confidence. A day's spell, then another run of 30 miles through misty rain, brought me on to the Gilded Rose, where I was met by a large number of warm-hearted friends, who paid me the honour of driving me into Cloncurry in a four-in-hand, where a real hearty welcome was extended.

In company with Mr. J. Chartis, I visited the “new find” at Sunday Gully, in the Leichhardt, where a number of men are getting gold. Some are doing fairly well. On the way up we met the warden returning from the field, which he reported to us as good. After inspecting Barry's and Doolan's reefs I should say the former is the best and promises to turn out a really “good show,” Two tons of stone are on the way into Cloncurry, and the opinion is that it will go over 10ozs to the ton. Some of the stone which was shown to me looks really well, and along the cap of the reef for a distance of over 60ft. I traced gold. The great point is whether the reef will cut out or not.

If it is of a well-defined nature, and continues to go down, there is not the least doubt but it will be the the means of employing a large number of men in the near future. Doolan's reef, though apparently not so good as Barry's, has, I am told, been crushing good prospects.

On our return to Sunday Gully held a meeting, and got back again to Cloncurry on the 12^th, having – ridden on horseback this time – no less than 220 miles in four days. The meetings at Cloncurry, and in fact at every place where meetings were held during the trip, were characterised by unbounded enthusiasm and expressions of delight with the Labour Party, and if those with whom I came in contact could but have a fair show at the next election they would make short work of the coercionists. From the 29^th March to the 18^th April I travelled a distance of 970 miles – 150 by rail, 220 by horse, and 600 on wheels. Between the dates mentioned six days I did no travelling at all. The journey has been a much quicker and a more agreeable one than that of last year, and I am satisfied in good weather the “bike” knocks spots off horse flesh.

Regarding industrial matters, when I arrived at Cambridge I found that shearing was being carried on under police protection. The police were in charge of Parry-Okedon son, a long slab of a youth whose knowledge of the bush and bushmen is said to be very limited indeed. The old hands in the “foorce” (sic) do not appreciate the appointment a little bit. The rotation system is being practised by the squatters in this district, and the consequence will be that many unfortunate bushworkers will be unable to secure a shed this year. A new kind of certificate, which resembles a bank-note, is being issued to the meek and lowly “scab” who is willing to sacrifice his manhood to replenish the banking institutions and to keep their agents, as the squatters are, in good condition. This system must eventually work out its own cure. It is intensifying the intense bitterness which prevails. When speaking in public to the men at Cambridge I was so incensed at this pernicious practice that I told them it was not likely to allay the hatred between employer and employed, but that it would in all probability bring ruin upon those who instituted it. The men in the west who desired work were not going to starve. My opinion is that if something is not done to settle this growing unemployed difficulty serious consequences will result. - Yours, &c., C. M'DONALD.