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Title: Anarchy in New Zealand Author: Freedom Press Date: 1982 Language: en Topics: New Zealand, history Source: http://www.takver.com/history/nz/freedom1982.htm Notes: Freedom Vol 43 No 17, 28 August 1982
INDUSTRIAL Unionism was the driving force behind militant trade unionism
in the early nineteen hundreds. The IWW first established a group in
Christchurch in 1908. Such personalities as Tom Barker and J B King were
active in a group in Auckland in 1912-1913, through the Waihi and
General Strikes. They were selling thousands of copies of Industrial
Unionist during this period. After the defeat of the 1913 General
Strike, Tom Barker was deported and ended up back in England. King
retumed to Sydney. He spoke at a May Day meeting in Wellington in 1932
in defence of Sacco-Vanzetti.
There was a small Anarcho-Communist group in Wellington in 1912. Street
fights with police frequently occurred after meetings. A Polish baker
called Josephs was involved in this group.
During the 30's there seems to be individuals who were very active. The
Webb family in Auckland and another individual in Wellington. All I know
of him was that he was well-dressed and carried a copy of Bakunin's
writings around with him.
Jock Barnes was thinking along syndicalist lines after Savage
conveniently forgot to get him a job after the 1935 Labour win. (Jock
Barnes was later a leader of the 1951 waterfront strike). There was a
Libertarian Socialist Group in Auckland during the late fifties and the
sixties. Of course, there were the exiles from Spain - however, few
remained active. One person, Werner Droscher, died a few years ago. He
left Germany with the rise of Hitler and fought in Spain. Werner was
active right up until he died but described himself as a 'retired'
anarchist.
THERE are four main areas worth describing: 1 Lumpen street culture; 2
Non- ideological communal groups; 3 Protest movements; 4 @ politicos.
graffiti (ranging from 'Fuck the State' to the 'racist KKK@).
appearances at the Labour Dept and on PEP (relief) jobs, punch-ups with
the cops, support for pub-bands (eg the punk-style Desperate Measures -
1984 song).
Currently in Christchurch, a business group offers $800 reward for a
graffiti conviction and a PEP job has been created removing graffiti. In
Auckland most recent graffiti is of Black Unity origin. It could be said
that the youth movement this reflects knows what it is against - the
state, work, police - but only has a limited conception of what it is
for, let alone any contact with local anarchist tradition for what it is
worth. Interestingly enough, the 'a' in the circle (@) is quite common
as a symbol of resistance on blackboreds in the skools.
Rural communities still functioning in many places on a combination of
small farming, crafts, contracting and dope-growing. In the cities, some
co-operatives exist eg Te Whanau Trust in Christchurch that runs two
stores, gardens, workshops, community activities.
Bastion Point/Waitangi Day Maori land rights groups.
Anti-authoritarian ideas are articulated but overshadowed by leadership
and Leninist ideas and separatist trends in many actions. White
patriarchal communist control of Wellington anti- tour demonstrations
contrasted with the militant autonomous black- and women- lead actions
in Auckland. Black nationalist women are currently at the forefront of
the anti-racist movement in Auckland. There are women's bookshops in all
four major cities and Brickburners Anarchism and Feminism pamphlet sells
well.
A small number in Auckland mostly oriented towards musical activity.
Lancaster Publishing produces poetry and cassettes. Wayne Innes, author
of Don't Pay Taxes and How to survive in Suburbia lives up that way.
Considering the amount of black and women's activity in NZ's largest
metropolitan centre we would expect a nourishing anarchist movement -
alas this is not so. Auckland Anarchy from its heyday in the mid 70's
has largely evaporated (most individuals ending up in Australia or
London). But we are ever hopeful of a revival.
In Wellington a young group with 'punk' connections. Involved with
street culture activities, screen printing, anti- Truxton (US nuclear
warship) actions. The magazines Fascism & Boredom and Black-out come
from there. The individuals however have been subject to much recent
police harassment. Political individuals of older ages tend to be
heavily influenced by vanguardist and Lemmingist tendencies that
proliferate in the bad vibes emanating from parliament and the downtown
office complexes.
Christchurch, or more affectionately known as smogland. A new print shop
has been established - offset A3 size printing. Also premises for
lay-out, screenprinting, darkroom and workshop. A library , one issue of
Blackmail, posters, and two issues of South-East News (for local letter
boxing) printed. Irregular meetings but a continuity of commitment. The
individuals have experience of subversive activities ranging from over a
decade to a few months. This diversity of ages and backgrounds brings in
new ideas and energies -all largely within the anarcho-communist
ideological spectrum. We are playing on exposing local work, corruption
housing, LPG issues as well as general anti-commentaries and ideas on
how to survive. Contact with overseas groups is good and a literature
importation and distribution service well-organised.
While the number of self-proclaimed @'s in NZ is small and almost
exclusively male and pakeha the potential for future activity is good.
Long-standing dissatisfaction with the Govt and business is widespread
and the various protest and industrial actions over the past decade have
created a tradition of struggle that has many anti-authoritarian
aspects.
Tu Kana te manu kia rere,
Christchurch, New Zealand