In 1918 he joined the Labor Party and acquired a reputation as a soapbox orator who spoke on topics, usually involving political theory, economics and rationalism, in great detail and with utmost seriousness.
He was one of the 15 charged under War Precautions Act for publicly displaying a red flag at the 'International Socialist' march in contravention of a prohibition made by the then Minister for Defence.
Although the court found in favour of the commonwealth, on that same day all the prisoners were released under a general amnesty granted to mark the official declaration of peace.
[1] His appeal was the start of a close friendship with Ryan, which was instrumental in Taylor securing a position in the Public Service as a clerk in the Tourist Bureau.
Taylor referred to the decision as "stupid", claiming the association "was nothing more than a humanitarian body, striving to bring medical aid to a country fighting nobly against the Germans".