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Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2516, 17 April 1878, Page 2

AEEMARKABLEmovement is now proceeding amongst the working men of Lyons. At the recent third session of the Working Men's Congress a number of new proposals were submitted by delegates, which would result iv a complete revolution in the organisation. The principal alteration suggested was an extension of the co-operative system to an almost unlimited length, embracing practically the whole po; ial condition of the labouring cla ses. It was proposed to establish, from a general fund subscribed by the members, select institutes for the aged, invalid?, and for general assistance in cases of need ; to extend the sphere of female industry, and to establish an association for preparatory studies. The opinion expressed by a majority of the speakers was that the primary schools ought to include elementary workshops, in which the first rudiments of work in wood, metal, and agriculture should be imparted. The first day of the session was marked by one of those sensational scenes to which the volatile temperament of the Gallic race is so prone. A delegate named Garriques indulged in a tirade against the large interest derived from capital, and another delegate followed thisupbyadvocatinganionsterpctitioninfavour of unlimited labour organizationsthroughout the country, with extended powers of legislation for the settlement ot all vexed questions arising between capital and industry, and the regulation of the relations between employers and workmen. Hut the climax was reached by a third delegate named. Amat, from Lyons, who proclaimed himself the apostle of Egotism. In powerful and passionate language he inveighed against the craven working man bowing, hat in hand, before the great " bread lord" and millionaire. He said: "I confess openly that I am filled to the very brim with an inexorable egotism. Whati. my ere.d ? Egotism, rightly understood, is progress; wrongly understood, it is indeed, a stupidity. If I occupy myself with the great social question, do you think that I do it for you ? No ; I do it all for myself. If your good is also my good, then I shall fight for your good. If I demand an increase of wages, I make this demand for my own personal interests. Do not throw away your time on the ideal foundation of social theories, but begin by procuring for yourselves security of bread ; raise your wag< s to the greatest figure possible, and when you havo done that you can amuse yourselves with the construction of social politics. I demand only one tiling from the State —abolition of all repressive laws." This sort of clap-trap, however, would not go down even with an assemblage of French blouses, and Mr Amat's philippics were drowned in a storm of hisses and yells. Quiet being restored after this little gale, a female delagate from Paris, Madame Kardouin,delivered the most sensible speech of the session. She contended that education lay at the roof of tho social anomalies, and that every hoy ought to be instructed in State economy, every giil in household economy. The direct representation of the working classes in Parliament was the next subject "of consideration, and it was urged that a compact group of working candidates should he pushed forward at the nextgeneral elections. During the succeeding days' discussions the boxes of the Varieties Theatre, in which the Congress was held, were filled by the elite of Lyons and the neighbouring cities, and this circumstance exercised a moderating influence over the speakers. A Grenoble workman is said to have delivered an address which would have done credit to the most practised orator in Versailles. Every speaker appeared to be conscious of the fact that he Avas being critically watched, and throughout the ensuing debates were characterised by a calm deliberation arid dignity, which compared favourably with Parliamentary form. Nevertheless the remarks of the speakers often carried a sting to the aristocratic feelings of the noblesse in the boxes, which they bore with becoming forbearance, but rjersonalities were carefully avoided. The subjects brought under consideration were ultimately remitted to committees.