 As a result of this the union and Armstrong himself grew disillusioned with the arbitration process and became attracted to the more radical idea of syndicalism they were introduced to through the New Zealand Federation of Miners (to whom they were affiliated).Armstrong was elected vice president of the miners' federation in October 1908 holding the office for two years.He also entered politics for the first time and was elected to the Waihi Borough Council from 1907 to 1909.