e great majority of those
present were quiet, steady-going men who wanted chiefly to be let alone
at their work and who were hostile to the suggested action, which might
finally land them in "trouble." The old-time workers in the Maitland
Mills had no grievances against their employer. They, of course, would
gladly accept an increase in wages, for the cost of living was steadily
climbing, but they disliked intensely the proposed method of making a
general demand for an increase in wages and for better conditions.

The sporting element in the meeting were frankly and fiercely
antagonistic to anything that would disturb the present friendly
relation with their employers in the Maitland Mills. "The old man" had
always done the square thing. He had shown himself a "regular fellow" in
backing them up in all their games during the past year. He had always
given them a fair hearing and a square deal. They would not stand for
any hold-up game of this sort. It was a low-down game, anyway.

The promoters of the resolution began to be anxious for their cause.
They had not anticipated any such a strong opposition and were rather
nonplussed as to the next move. Brother Simmons was in a fury and was on
the point of breaking forth into a passionate denunciation of scabs and
traitors generally when, to the amazement of all and the intense
delight of the supporters of the administration, McNish arose and gave
unqualified support to the resolution.

His speech was a masterpiece of diplomacy, and revealed his long
practice in the art of oratory in that best of all training schools,
the labour union of the Old Land. He began by expressing entire
sympathy with the spirit of the opposition. The opposition, however, had
completely misunderstood the intent and purport of the resolution. None
of them desired trouble. There need not be, indeed, he hoped there would
not be trouble, but there were certain very ugly facts that must be
faced. He then, in terse, forceful language, presented the facts
in connection with the cost of living, quoting statistics from the
Department of Labour to show the steady rise in the price of articles
of food, fuel and clothing since the beginning of the war, a truly
appalling array. He had secured price lists from dealers in these
commodities, both wholesale and retail, to show the enormous profits
made during the war. There were returned soldiers present. They had not
hesitated at the call of duty to give all the