Bullets and Bayonets: A Novel of the 1913 Strike

In May 1912 a dozen people met at the Petone Working Men's and Literary Institute to establish a local Wellington area Marxian Study group. The objectives to study the political and economic works of the German Socialist philosopher Karl Marx, along with his turbulent revolutionary teachings, ideas and strategies. Among those attending were prominent locals, unionists and some union leaders. One of the main objectives of the newly formed club was stated in its final resolution To meet every Monday night at 8pm up to the day of the Revolution. Marty McGregor had once been the strongman of the Wellington seaman's union. Now a few years on, this powerfully built man was a Federation of Labour organiser or 'Red Fed', as the popular press described such trade union people. Although not a high paid job it was, nevertheless, action filled, especially with his new found enthusiasm sparked by the Marxian Study group. For the recently elected Prime Minister William Massey, Police Commissioner John Cullen, and Attorney General Alexander Herdman, the emergence of this new threat from within would ignite a series of events that would reshape New Zealand's workforce. A powerful historical novel, researched to accurately reflect the personalities, events and the politics of the time.