 He entered local politics there as well, serving on the Runanga Borough Council between 1911 and 1913.In 1916 he moved to Christchurch, becoming a dockworker on the wharves in Lyttelton.By this time the labour movement were voicing concerns about cost of living increases for workers, servicemen and their dependents and, by the end of the year, were actively protesting government imposed conscription.