TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 35, 11 February 1892, Page 5

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

The Auckland Trades and Labour Council met last night at the Wesley Hall. Mr W. H. Worth presided. The attendance was not large, and apologies for absence were received from Messrs R. French, T. Thompson, and T. D. Bright. Pastor Bircb also sent a letter ol apology, in which he stated that two years ago the "labour idea" wa9 said by many to be Utopian, and some of those who ministered at its birth were misquoted and called firebrands ; but progression and equality were now every-day words, and he trusted that tho Upper Crust might soon welcome labour as a brother beloved to a share of the business and a seat at the Board. The letter concluded ;—" Comrades, I hope the best things of you. May you be inspired by the Father whpse heart overflows with loVe for us all, share and enare alike ; and when we die, may those who stand around the gi-ave be nbte. to say of every member of the Council,

He lived for others, not for self!"

Mr Bust read a paper on "Labour Organisation c." Hβ condemned selfishness among the working classes, saying that instances of it occurred in tho maritime etruggle of 189O ; when workmen refused to pay tho levies imposed on them. It was asserted that the hope.ess condition of the maese3 was due to want of frupnlity. This might be true in some roepects, but many men in Auckland were expected to keep large families on from 15s to 30s per week. Hβ urged the representation of "the labour party in both Houses of Parliament, ■ , JNJr W. L. Rees spoke, and thought that the true secret of all success waa mutual help and combination. Tho redress for their grievances was to be found in Christian economics. Mr W. J. Napier followed. Mr F. G. Ewingtoi? said he would on some future occasion, if they invited him to do so, lay his views on the , labour question fully before them ac one of t»eir meetings, Ko that they might afterwards criticise his remarks. Mr Rees proposed to_thom '•Christian economics," and -Mi" Aapier proposed " politics " as remedies for their troubles. He (Mr Ewington) woulo , throw all his weight in the scales with Mr Kees, because Christian economics, or the ec/ence of political economy carried out in >™c spirit of Christ, would,do more for mankind than legal enactments would, framed nnd passed, as they often were, by men of no experienoe in tho science of government. Legislatures often did more harm than good in trying to regulate trade and labour, and if they would invite employers to meet them in conference they might each aecertain the other's grievance or wav of looking at things, and come to some" satisfactory understanding. That way was beat because their interests are not antagonistic, but really identical. Mr J. M. Shera said it was a gross calumny to f>ay that the labour party had designs on capital. The politics that; were to benefit mankind must be based upon the Sermon on the Mount.

The usual vote of thanks closed the meeting.