INTERCOLONIAL TRADES CONGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 145, 20 June 1888, Page 4

INTERCOLONIAL TRADES CONGRESS.

We have before us the official report of the Fifth Intercolonial Trades Union Congress held in Brisbane the first week in March of this year. It contains a pretty full summary of the debates on the various resolutions brought before the Congress, together with an introduction by the Secretary and a list of the delegates present, with the societies to which they belonged. The pamphlet contains upwards of a hundred pages, and we cannot do more here than just briefly notice the contents. This Intercolonial Trades Congress is a peripatetic body, meeting periodically at one of the principal Australian centres. The total number of delegates present at the Brisbane Congress was 66. Of this number Queensland contributed 38, New South Wales 13, South Australia 9, Victoria 5, and Tasmania 1. New Zealand sent no delegates, but entrusted her interests to a local man. The introduction states that " the success attending the sitting in Brisbane more than realised the most sanguine expectations of the Queensland Trades and Labour Council." ' . ...

Taking into consideration the importance of the subjects dealt with, and the very able manner in which they appear to have been discussed, the Congress certainly has good reason to be proud of the result. The tone is good throughout* and thoughtful students of political affairs cannot but fail to contrast the careful, painstaking manner with which the Congress members addressed themselves to the various subjects placed before them, and the highly courteous demeanour of the delegates towards one another, with the rowdy and ruffianly conduct that obtains sometimes in the high-class Parliament of New South Wales, and the conclusion arrived at must be in favour of the working men's Parliament. A long debate took place on the Chinese question, and ultimately the following resolution was unanimously carried ?—." That in the opinion of this Congress it is desirable that stringent and'identical legislation be enforced by the various Australian Governments w.«»the view of preventiiy* the influx;

of Chinese and coolie immigrants to these colonies. (1) That a poll-tax of be imposed upon Chinese entering any port of Australia. (2) The imposition of an annual residential tax of not less than the same to be paid by all Chinese within the colony. (3) The insertion of a clause in all Government contracts prohibiting the employment of Chinese and coloured labour."

A long discussion also took place on ** the organisation of labour." This, of course, is the grand result aimed at by the Congress, and, naturally enough, the debate was a spirited and an interesting one ; but we fail to gather from it that the Congress has advanced one step farther in the desired direction, or indeed that it is possible for them to achieve what they wish with the means at their command. Member after member got up and reiterated the same cry that what was wanted was an organisation of unskilled labour. This appears to us to be a practical impossibility. It does appear to be perfectly feasible to create a very powerful organisation of unlimited numbers banded together to work out political and social reforms, but the hope expressed by one delegate ** that when the next Congress met they would be able to agree upon a scheme for the federation of skilled and unskilled labour throughout Australia," seems never likely to be realised. One member remarked that the debate all along had taken the part of skilled labour, and others thought it necessary to assert that there was*no feeling of antagonism ; between skilled and unskilled labour.

A union composed of men of a certain skilled trade banded together to protect their own special interests is easily understood, and if they are united and unanimous, and their skill is unique, they would be to a certain extent invincible. A Congress composed of representatives from several unions of skilled mechanics could, if they acted unitedly and unanimously, give great strength to any one trade that required assistance; but we fail to see that it could exercise any great influence in the way of working out social and political reforms, for the reason that unskilled labour is in the majority, not organised, and the market unlimited. The debate, indeed, tacitly allows this, and the resolution ultimately passed was of a very general character, namely: "(1) That the various societies be asked to communicate with each other on this subject; (2) that the various Trade and Labour Councils already in existence, and those which may hereafter be established, accumulate a fund for the defence of labour; (3) that a Committee of six be appointed from this Congress to draft a federal constitution to be laid before every Trade and Labour Council in Australasia for acceptance, and to report next Congress." One or two of the speakers alluded to what has always, been a cause of weakness among trade unions, and that was the petty jealousies continually cropping up, and which seemed almost ineradicable. ■_'•.....

A resolution endorsing the principle of land nationalisation was carried unanimously, as also was one doing away with the property franchise and giving one man one vote ; to this was added "and that all elections in a colony shall be held on one day." One important resolution was passed to the effect •'*? That it is desirable that the various Trade and Labour Councils of Australasia shall formulate an electoral programme in accordance with the resolutions come to at this and preceding Congresses. for support of all interested in labour and the acceptance of Parliamentary candidates."

The Supreme Court did not sit to-day in consequence of it being a Courb holiday. This is the 51sb anniversary of bhe accession of Her Most Gracious Majesby Queen Vicboria bo the bhrone of Great Bribain. To-day complebes one year since the time when the whole of the empire rejoiced in the Queen's Jubilee. At Home this day is generally observed, but here in the colonies the Queen's Birthday is kept as a public holiday insbead.

The recenb prosecutions instituted by the School Committee, in order bhab parenbs may be compelled to send their children to school, has already had a beneficial effect. At the meeting of the City, Schools Committee lasb nighb Mr Burlinson, headbeacher of bhe Alberb-sbreeb School, reporbed that in consequence of the recent prosecutionsthe parenbs hadsincesenb theirchildren to" school more regularly, and also paid more attention to the notices forwarded to them. He was confident that if the worst cases were brought inbo Courb, say every two or three monbhs, the .attendance would be much betber and more regular ; by this the capitation would be increased, the children and parents benefited,' and the results of examination would show a higher, percentage. Two gentlemen waited upon the Cdmmibtee lasb nighb and obbained exemption to their children abbending school.

In consequence, no doubt, of the proposed re-organisabion of the volunbeer and defence forces, Col. Shepherd has forwarded a circular bo bhe officers commanding companies, which is to the following effecb :— " In accordance with information received from bhe Defence Office, you will be good enough to at once furnish me wibh a sbabemenb of bhe assebs and liabilities of the corps under your command. This circular to be noted and reburned, wibh the statement asked for, at the earliest possible momenb, to enable me to comply- with any instructions from the Government— (Signed) T. Viret Shepherd, LieubenanbColonel, commanding Auckland disbricb." This should elicit some interesting information.

Mr White, a genbleman who has just returned from Broken Hill, has; placed on view in the window of Mr A. G. Barblebb, jeweller, Queen-sbreet, a number of specimens of the mineral wealbh of that district. These are well worth an examination, comprising as they do specimens of galena and silver ore, copper ore, chloride of silver ore, silver ore from the famous Broken Hills mine, and tin ore.. There are also samples of quarbz alluvial gold from Teebupla.

The Secrebary of the Political Financial Reform Association has to-day telegraphed to Messrs Goldie, Withy and Monk, ab Wollingbon, as follows : _*-Commitbee request return moved to-day for all compassionate allowancesor compensations granted during pasb twelve monbhs, name ot recipients. former salary under what authority eiven, wibh name of Minister who ap. profed oaymentv-R. J. Pukoak."

Mr M. Niccol, Chan-maT^^T^* Board intends to brin7? or !; n th, c H-»bo at ion shortly for theutSX the harbour dredgers, with _. D •aised**y further reclamation o_J^ffi^ Pickpockets arebusilvaf „ . 7' the crowd who flock each _f_T k amotl gst) the Golden ChariotA&&°<«> «o5 reported thab his pocket& **& wMe the day before a yoJ^gH

The Ponsonby Reservoir No _ vertently submitted toTvt_ 2 ffas Mrecent y, which will g 0 W___ SeVere ■** fears that have been _____ 5 counteract its stability. While th £_?^Pecting ing one night, a valveSS** *Mk" open and permitted RaS^lef> No. 2 reservoir. The wait to **-*"•■ too overflow, and finally Sffi f OTe «• reservoir, thus a fforis_a S^ °ft test as the reservoir was" n «™ a, seve«> to bear. The test was a 2' C. lc, ulat< -*- one, no portion of t , JL?*f bad effects i*J^^^**& neer and contractor arHo £ °thengilated. die t0 b» congt-atu.

man waited upon theC o 2. igentle" pxemption for his childTn tee> obtail» public: schools. Mr Cro w lf^te^ that the child must b ed, _? _ T^kfA father quietly ffilfiSS Tha for the child to attend t£ rv 'n*W'H in Hobson-street Td ttJul^*** doing so rather CK^j^ have to mix with the ohihl I. f hoili(J ing the public school , SSwKS bad language which was I. USO thfJ; amongst those eh ldren %!,» COmi ßoa exemption was remarked that h? feared'the tateSSS£ only too true, for no one coiilS *as ? the language as they 5S^£gSJ? The Engineer of the Auckland Harbo.. Board is not a favourite with SS owing to his rigid adherence to theffi_ of specifications. When tendering S supply of timber yesterday, the K_!_ schedule, showing,a general adfiJS 25 per cent, on last year's prices, and re. ' dered their tender inform/by the 3fi£ ot: We cannot supply a t these price.! under the supervision of your present? jJ^TheßoardresditoSS

A The charge of conspiracy against David Asher, in connection with t_e TauranS native land purchases, occupied*!. Supreme Court till 5. o'clock y es ter«S y aiternoon. No evidence was called for I dG -A _ uo' Button. addressing theKg? said bhe whole question was whether Ashe, was aware of the fraud that was perpetrabed or whether Pine was' the arch conspirator Mr Hesketh. commenced his address to the jury before 4 o'clock,'and as he had not concluded ab 5 o'clock His Honor thought i^ bebber to adjourn the Court till Thursday (Wednesday being a Supreme^ Court holiday), in order to m.' thejury from being locked up.- "■■< !■_};_.; _ Ibis reported thab Mr "Porter, the mi-ss-mg bank clerk,; was-seen a.. Lichfield on Sunday Even if this is not so, the idea bhat he has committed suicide is scouted. The Onehunga rabepayers are very wroth at bhe action of the Borough Council in excluding the press and the public from tlie Council meeting lasbnighb........ ,_;■? ,'.-/.. James Donald,,who was injured on the ■■ tram-lines some time, ago) and, has since been under bhe care 'of:_3_.-Tenneri.,'isso far recovered thab he will return to his work next Monday." . .;•: ■••■; i \-__ r .•';:...,

A serious accident happened to Mr W. J. Suiter on Sunday evening last. He was driving homewards ..along the Great North Road, near New Lyrin, iii^compatiy with Messrs Protheroe and Griffiths, when the ; horse shied at aheap of bricks, and the road being very bad, :• the . trap j upset, Messrs Protheroe and Griffiths fell clear of the cart,' and the'latfer'escaped' wiiSßut injury. MrProtAerbeV-s, liqwerer, hurt aboub the ribs, and Mr Suiter,- who \n_o_tunately fell under the trap, was dragged along the, road ..some distance. When he was rescued it was found that ibis left shoulder, arm, hand, and right leg were much bruised and.cut, but fortunately no bones were' broken. He has since been under medical-care,: and i_ how able to'be out, albhough his arm'is in a sling and one leg somewhat lame. • ■_'. f ;_.-:• ;, j-<^:_

Several times recently in thepq.ice Court friction has occurred .between the police. and the bar asto the question of. precedence of cases in the Court.':-Inspector Broliam and Sergeanb-Major Pratt .'contend; that all policecases should be heard first, m.order thab bhose consbables who h'ad ; been onduty bhe ni^ht before: may' get "away to, rest, and also that -bhe detectives and day consbables may geb to their • duty on.the street. The solicitors, on bhe other, handj dectae bhab all summary cases should betaken first, and the indicbable cum 'afterwards. M r Baddeley. the R.M., said that Mr Broha_i,had spoken, to lum upon tho mabber, and be thought that it woud be advisable if all police cases wens taken first Mr Cooper remarked- that .hitnerto bhere had been no trouble'upon this matter, but he supposed that ib was 'an illustration of the words, "New Brohams sweep clean. Mr Baddeley said thab it, ju^t hanpenel bhab Mr Broham.was nob new, to Auckland. Mr Cooper said then it was singular that when-WBroham washere before he had, not objecbed bo bhe existing arrangement. Segea.t-Major Pratt, said that |fi«l altered men's minds at times, and tag have been so in this instance. gfcjgg discussion, Mr Badde ey dedidedW* would not alter the existing arrangement*. Theritualistic-aifficul.y:h^V^£ from Howick bo Dunedin, and is.causme Et-burningsin the Southern .city whi J r 8 poSlv believed to 'be W^§ pTtan Pre-byterianism. f ADunedin* gram states that at a meetingoth« X* fir Kirkham's parishionersM«£ prLtic e s,aresolutionw aS pro^ed, « withoub expressing an opinion gg legality or otherwise .&W T^ m pSctices complained ±*£g*& earnestly recommends the \es»J mW'__?s_f%<sAgmsm, sm£_s-ft&ggg could nob pub bhem in blieir P## f | th . very strong' language was used duun_ discussion. -■:-:'i>:-,A-SiaJid civilly for damages bub this J « pened at Wellington, At.the^P gourb yesterday sought to recover from K^DCTi sumof £500 damages The ge d id on claim set forth that the_»7 uUysn d the 3rd of February, V B.BB^^l^ situated m alieiously,setfiretoatim»^ ofth in Courtenay P ace *be PJ°£ t U and plaintiff. - The pl""*^ BJ*M. we re deseffects, which ho o troyed by fire. Hl"d for arson, and is now «fg^&si4 bhe offence, and was nob rep re Court. Hind is b^A nd , and t c money or property in.N? w a^&_ the plaintiff, who s«Bered,gre^y n^ gggtt lire in consequence of hf. ™S^yer# sured, brought the actwn^to re t .whole or portion of suchimongg| f £ {ba Judgment was given for plains, amount claimed and costs. , ■ " The next lecburein.connecti-on^. City Schools Committee 6 classes will be given on f^S^ 27th, by Dr. Girdler, on .-^date Disease," facts worth knowing. th 9 ia a week later than mtendea,^ arrangements of the M^^ience of the have to be subject to the gngntaj, lecturer. The following; :}f^M as » Professor Thomas, on. .f*^M< ~ Practical S-.er.ee," with jll?*»* ;

George Midler will deliver his ? j- _.hire on truths in connection with jeco.? fond Coming of Our Lord," in the *»'.rl lecture Hall, at 7.30. Friends Sd do well to come early. i veiling ab Epsom Hall, Mr Duncan -Tv- addressed a large audience. He ffflK.h£ evening, and also Thursday and EP*T at Bllerslie Presbyterian Church, i .It' conduct a mission ab Sb. Peter's, j£jHills, next week. rer y successful meeting of Waikato ; ../.as held on Saturday lasb ab Cam-te-f to form a branch of the N.Z. Edu- -*!• «_' In=titute. The following- resoluv 1 .-ere agreed to :—l. That this meeb-*-onS corc la Its satisfaction with the state t made by the Premier in the House peD Thur'day last, re the raising *of Z school age, showing thab _ he r correctly diagnosed public opinion this most important subject. 2. That the payment of teachers' salaries on ii - strict' instead of the ' working aver- _' presses unduly on the teachers of SS untry schools, and consequently that the Minister be requested to devise some more nuitable method of retrenchment if such S indispensable. 3. That such alterations be made in the scholarship regulations as will make ib possible for children attending other than town schools to compete with any probability of success. The next peneral meeting of the branch is to be held t Hamilton. After a vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Stewart for their hospitality tie meeting separated.

vocal and instrumental concert, in aid of ihe funds of the Newton Congregational Church, |_, c criven in bhe Sui day-school, Edinburgh street, by tho members of the Auckland Choral Society and others tomorrow (Thursday) evening. As a firstclass programme has been prepared, a full house may be expecbecl.

Attention is called bo Messrs. Arthur and Buddies sale of household furniture at Victoria Avenue, View Road, Mount Eden, to-morrow. In addition to the ordinary articles of furniture (_hich are all ia firstrate- order) the advertisement includes a superior and handsome American organ and a good trichord piano in walnut case.

There was anobher good abbendance ab the Eureka Rink lasb evening, while tho Columbia was also well patronised. Ab bhe latter place T. McDcrmotb won a hoop race for eleven competitors. A polo match was also played. A handicap three-mile race comes off on Friday, for a pair of skates, entsies for which close to-morrow evening.

The firsb Ponsonby --. Ab Home " for bhis season will be held in bhe Ponsonby Hall on Friday evening next. Members who lave not received admission cards should notify the Hon. Secretary, Mr D. F. Evans.

The attention of our readers is directed to the unreserved sale of boots and shoes which Mr Edward Leydon is going to hold in his auction mart to-morrow.

.Delivered daily, and to be purchased from all grocers and dairymen, Freezing Company's " Shell " Brand Butter.—(Advt.)

Much annoyance having been experienced by many of Smith and Caughey's cus tamers, who have mistaken the clobhing shop (without name appearing) recently opened next door to their Queen-street esbablisbmenb as belonging bo them. In justice to their customers and themselves they are compelled to draw public attention to the fact that there is no connection whatever, and that they have only one entrance in Queen-street.—(Advt.)