The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Earning Rems, Morning Rems and The Echo. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1908. LABOUR IN THE UNITED STATES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 72, 24 March 1906, Page 4

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Earning Rems, Morning Rems and The Echo.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1908. LABOUR IN THE UNITED STATES.

■ - For the cause that looks assistance. For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the dUtanje, And the good that toe con do. \

The American Federation of Laborer represents many millions of ' wage-* earners, and naturally commands a great deal of respect in the United States even from the capitalists who most keenly resent its activity. We may safely assert, therefore, that President Roosevelt was' fully conscious of the heavy responsibility he was assuming in answering the requests of the deputation which has just waited upon him on behalf of the claims of Labour. The j President is generally regarded, even by | his enemies, as a strong man; and his courage and self-confidence appear plainly enough in his reply to the Federation delegates. But on the whole, though he declines to commit himself unreservedly to the Labour programme, he expresses a degree .of sympathy for the aspirations of the industrialists thoroughly in keeping with, the strong convictions he has always held regarding the tyranny of the Trusts. On certain questions—notably that of Chinese immigration —the President refuses to adopt the course advocated by Labour. But though the Labour leaders appear to have expressed some dissatisfaction at the President's reticence or obstinacy they can at least be sure that so far as the struggle between the Trusts and the public is concerned the greatest man in the Republic is rather with them than against them.

For whatever Democratic delegates or Tammany "heelers" may say about the President's sympathy for Wall-street, no other public man in the United States has made bolder and more uncompromising efforts to curb the arrogance and lawlessness of-the Trusts. It has been owing chiefly, if not solely, to the President's personal influence that anti-Trust Bills have been introduced into Congress, that the Supreme Court has endeavoured to check the infamous "rebate" system on the railways, and that the great combines have been restrained by judical decisions from practically enslaving the people of America by means of such ingenious expedients as "mergers" and "security holding companies," When tfie Steel Combine was formed it was said truly that not a man could drive a nail between New York and San Francisco without the permission of Mr J. P. Morgan. The m.re existence of such tyrannical power is an offence to the democratic instincts of the American. And the countless recent revelations of corruption and fraud, involving the greatest of American financiers—revelations of which.Mr Lawson's "Frenzied Finance" articles

are merely a single type—have completely shaken the faith of the average man in the character and intentions of the millionaires. It is to the undying credit of President Roosevelt that he has been able so far to dissociate bimsef from Ms own social and political connections as to comprehend the evils that Plutocracy has brought in its train. And not even the most eloquent of the Labour leaders has more boldly and scathingly condemned the abuses which have grown up under the regime of Wealth which is now practically omnipotent in the United States.

As to the specific requests preferred by the Labour delegates, it is noteworthy that President Roosevelt expressed his sympathy with the Eight Hours movement. The long hours and the heavy pressure that the American workers have to endure have always been notorious. At Pittsburg it is said none but young men are to be found in the great iron and steel works—all the older men are in the graveyards. Most rational people recognise the physical, social, and moral evils of such over-pressure. But it is characteristic of the American financial rulers and the trusts that they have always Mt thslr

faces against any such restriction as an Eight Hours law. There are, moreover, special reasons why $_ Etgfit Hours Bill should be connected, in the minds of American workers, with the necessity for _urther protection- of Labour, against the: trusts-." The terrible Labour .war in Colorado-, where -anarchy so long reigned- supreme, was caused almost entirely .by the dishonesty and tyranny of the capitalists. The State legislature went into office after last election pledged absolutely to enact an Eight Hours law. But the influence of the Iron and Coal trust leaders dominated the whole State, and the legislators of Colorado broke their pledged word under circumstances that pointed directly and -u__imisfcakably to deliberate corruption. The miners "struck because they were driven to despair, and could find no legal means of asserting their rights. And so the 'Eight Hours movement is in America absolutely identified with antagonism to the trusts, and sympathy for the Labour leaders. It is a very significant proof of the success of colonial legislation on this question that President Roosevelt is prepared to follow in our footsteps and advocate an Eight Hours law, and whatever effect it may have upon the President's reputation in the eyes of the trusts, it will certainly help him to maintain his position as "the most popular man in America" for many years to come.

The evidence in the fish-curers' dispute at the Arbitration Court was concluded yesterday afternoon. Mr A. Rosser, representing the men's union, addressed the Court, stating that he hoped the union would be credited with trying to bring about a better state of affairs in the trade from ia moral point of view. The Court reserved , its decision, and it was announced that on Monday the contractors' labourers' dispute would be taken, to be followed by the quarry—en's dispute if time permits.

The row which occurred in Queenstreet in front Of the Zealandia Restaurant was resurrected at the Police Court to-day, when a young man named Walter Piatt was charged with damaging the restaurant to the extent of £5. Mr. Skelton, who appeared for Iflatt,. stated that he had given himself up on the advice of his solicitor, a warrant having "been issued. Sub-Inspector Gordon applied for a remand for a week, which was granted, in one surety of £50.

The allegations recently made at the Wtukato Licensing Committee meeting staring that there was an unusual amount of drunkenness at the Ngaruawahia, regatta, and that Maori.women were laying about in an inebriated state, has occasioned considerable comment. Several persons who were present at the regxttk state that the drunkenness complaiuied of was not so prevalent as in former years, the arrests numbering but two or three. Visitors from the King Country, it is alleged, were in many cases l far from sober on their arrival at Ngatuawahia, and were refused drink by bo.ttr booth and hotel proprietors. It is argued that until the official report appears, it is unfair to impute the bla_ii? to the proprietor of the booth. The observations of a representative of this p.«per on the day in question lead to the Relief that while many European and iCaori men were in a semi-drunken condition, insobriety amongst the native women was not noticeable to any e-tent.

Residents of Renmera having petitioned the Minister for Railway's to j remove the cattle yartf s at the station, a reply'was read at t.W meeting of the Board, stating that the yards did not belong to the departmeta.t. It was also pointed out in the letter that the mere | absence of railway loading, -yards would, not be likely to weigh very materially | with the owners of the kaleyards, who ! . would no doubt immediattdy agitate for the provision of the facilities necessary i for trucking stock, and in these circum-; stances, and considering the volume of ; business, the department coJjJd not consistently do other, than erect, the yards, which were unquestionably a piublic con- ; venience. It appeared from the resolution of the petitioners that the objection was to the driving of cattle along the roads. That was, .however, a mat-, ter over which the department, had no) control, and one which the Boar<a should i deal with under the powers vi*pted in it for regulating road traffic. Ya these circumstances the Minister regretted that, after giving tlie matter eveity consideration, he could not see hi* wayij to accede to the request.

The following aTe the results in the Axemen's Caruival recently held at Pirongia:—Novice chop: R. Osborne 1, J. Petersen 2. Three-legged race: John and Turner 1, Corcoran and McKinnon 2. Maiden chop: W. Coe 1, E. Edgecombe 2. Throwing the cricket bail: H. Russell 1, distance 85yds. Alexandra chop handicap: W. Coe, 855., 1; D. Pretty, scratch, 2; very exciting finish. Bottle-breaking : W. H. Howe 1. Joublehanded saw: Palmer and mate 1, Mowatt Brothers 2. Nail-driving (for ladies j: Miss Webb ._.. TJnderhand chop-. J. Taylor 1, H. Coe 2. Tug.of-war (Axemen v. Natives):. The Maori team won after a good pull. Single-handed saw: E. Palmer 1, C. Mowatt 2. 100 yds, committee race: W. H. Grant 1, W. M. Howe 2. A house at the Thames situated In Sealey-street, unoccupied and undergoing repairs, caught fire last night. The efforts of the "fire brigade, however, were successful in preventing its total destruction, although much damage wai caused. The house was the property of Mr Foy, photographer.

In connection with the fire at Remuera a few weeks ago, whereby one house was totally destroyed and two others caught, the Newmarket Railway Fire Brigade have received the following donations for services rendered by them On that occasion _to. ..the property-own-ers: The Remuera Road Board, £5; Messrs. James Bardic,, £2 2/; Dilworth Trust Board, £2 2/; H. R. Spence, £2.

Dr. Makgill, bacteriologist of the Health Department, has forwarded to the Wellington City Cpuneil# report ofl the quality of the Wellington water .supply. He states that the results art eminently satisfactory, and show conclusively that at the present time no, ajiprehension need bo felt as to the quality of the water

The s.s. Kapahui, which was sunk in a collision with thesd...Claymore pt, Christmas time, will make her first §4p after undergoing extensive repairs fcsxt Tuesday, When an excursion -frill' Vk 'run to Waiwera.

It is understood iwya'ovi Wellington' correspondent)' that further appointments to the Cbmj_s—on. <Sf'.Peace will! be "Gaze-t-d* vtary shortly. " : ;;

: : -Important proposals .for;-.-._•, tramwjay line were mentioned at the Cook County Council meeting Jbeld ajt tJisborne! yep-j jKrSay, when:__ r.W\ L. Kees applied -for a Mcehse to lay down, i_onstru6t : sMh) uh'der the JBfev t e_-l teenth and. supceedlhg sections -.of the; Tfamways Act, lfW, along the county* roads from Te Hapara and .Awapuni to: Patutahi and onward to Wharekopae, thence to the south of Tahora N0. 2 to! tbie west of the Koranga Creek and "to-; wards the north of the Motu. Bel said he would require, if arrangements! were made as to the. supply of metal, a! license to lay down the tramway from! the bridge at Matawhero through Tie} Arai to Pakirikiri, and from Makaraka; to Waerehpia—ka. The license w_"sj granted subject to the necessary regu-j lations.

As intimated in. our advertising col-; umns, the United Southern Colleges 01d| Boys' Asociation .propose to hold a spe-| eial general meeting on. Tuesday next to consider the committee's proposals respecting the formation of a social club' in connection with the Association. This' body■ of young men composed of "old; boys" of colleges south of the ,pr6yinc_! of Auckland has for its object the union of those "old boys" separated from the; direct sphere of their individual College] Associations, and 'with a view of widening the interest and developing a .com-j mon cause amongst its members. Strenuous efforts are _eing made by the com-j mittee to establish rooms' for the usej of members and visitors from the South. | 'This scheme is now to be placed _efore I the members in a concrete form.

! In connection with the recent fire at Remuera, the clerk of the Road Board i reported at a meeting last night that a cheque had been forwarded to the railway workshops brigade in recognition of the services rendered on that occasion. Mr. Dickson stated that the captain of the Pan—l! Brigade had informed him he had the red With seven men ready to go to the fire, but remembering that the hydrants were not the same, he inquired if : he could borrow one from Newmarket. . Not being able to do So, it was useless the brigade going. Mr. Dickson said if -Remuera would procure ithref hydrants as jcejjuired by him, his brigade would attend fires at Remuera until a local brigade was formed. The Board decided to purchase "the hydrants and arrange for the -the Parnell Brigade.

The arrangements for the "monster sports meeting" in aid of several Jocal charities, which are in the hands of a strong committee of well-known citizens, are now almost complete. A splendid programme has been arranged, in which the marines and bluejackets. from the squadron are to tate a prominent part, -and will give exhibitions similar to those which will be given at the International Exhibition. Kpfessor Potter and 400 of his pupils' wih give performances during the afternoon. In. addition to side-shows, there will Tieseveral bands in attendance, including a naval band from the man-of-war. The prize-money for the different events totals £47, and if the entries warrant it -a gold -medal will also be given for the winner of the wood-chopping competition. The arrangement made on 'the evening the .Charity Committee was formed was that they would undertake to hold three functions, viz., r a muff football match, a band contest, and a sport's meeting, aiid the "proceeds .from each function were to be held in hand as a guarantee fund with which to run the function following. The committee has held the two first-named functions, and the sports on the 7th of April will be the third, after the. conclusion of which it is 1 intended to hand to thfe seven charities mentioned in an advertisement in this issue the Whole of the money in hand.

A .good deal of interest is being shown in the forthcoming searchlight carnival' to be held on the North Shore Cricket- : Ground on Wednesday and Thursday, next. The trial of the searchlight sT_oWa" it to be a -great. success, the grounds being -flooded with the brilliant light,and the beautiful surroundings illuminated with great effect. The proceedings will commence with a grand decorated procession on Wednesday, afternoon, and each evening a first-class concert will be given. The tug of war for the championship of the Australasian) Squadron should prove the best ever held-in Auckland, each of the ships in. Iport sending one or two teams. Additional music will be rendered by the Ist : A.M.R. Band and Bartley's orchestra., A waltzing competition will take on the lawn, while a group of wander-; ing minstrels will add to the -fun Of the proceedings. The wireless telegraph ser-! vice which is being installed on the ground for the use of visitors should f prove a great attraction, and a popular, item will be the living tableaux in w;hich! the local "All Blacks" will, appear. Fre-, quent boats will convey through passengers to the lower wharf, near the| ground, and the proceeds of the carnival! go to the new pavilion fund.

Next Wednesday in the Federal Hall the friends of temperance in Auckland will entertain the men of the fleet, when an energetic committee hope to present an excellent programme. Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes lias kindly promised leave to as many of the men as desire to attend and can be spared from the ships. Particulars are advertised.

The -third annual picnic of "the employees of the firm of JMessrs. A. and T Burt, Ltd., was held at HobsOnville to-day. It had been arrangied to halo.the picnic at Waiheke, but this had to* be abandoned on account of the unfavourable weather. The picnic was well attended, the party proceeding to Hob- i sonville in the s.s. Kawau.

On Monday, Mr Macdermott will re-1 ceive his film of the landing and reception accorded the "All Blacks" on their return from their triumphal tour. The film has been to Wellington for develop-' nient, and has proved a great success It j is to be exhibited next Wednesday in a place to be advertised.

In to-day issue of "Star" will be found a lithographed plan of the Stanley Park Estate* which estate will be sold by auction by Mr J. Thornes pn Friday, April 6, at 12 o'clock noon. It is situated withih five minutes' walk of Stanley Wharf, Devonport, to which the Ferry Co. run a regular service. It is only within the last year or two that ;the beauties of this particular district appear to have been discovered and appreciated, but it is growing in favour rapidly. In sub-dividing the Stanley Park ! Estate care has been taken to encourage a continuance of the building of bigttdass residence; no allotment being less than J an acre, and up to If acres. There are only 13 allotments, and 'the prices and terms are easy;

The motor launch races for Captain Streater's cup have been postponed on account of ths weather.

tern rs by'the _i"d_ that X-lMce Court offioWs 4-sued- -*o -lew than 5500-1 papers last week jand 2040. this week. One I hundred ***_four.<_?j__ 'of each prdeir are) issued w>d #ern?d.pn4s cilgr,aud 40 suburban hotels $jr the 'police. Ai immense amount of labour is* thus involved, and, judging _y theiaifeber of j»bhib_fed per-; sons who are arresfeu pforlfresquenting li-j censed premises, Ithe;_feclb oi:■ the orders: is very alight. ....-..„. i

The.captain of the Newmarket Railway __re Brigade bas ~reerave_ with thanks ,dpn»tipns (! (in connection with the late Remuera fire) from the following: Mr. James Hardie £2 2/, H. R. Spenee £2, Dilworth Trust Board £2 Si/,'and-the Remuera Road Board £5.

inview- oif -the. wretched weather conditions prevailing, the -St. Ch__h' and Sunday-school picriic _oi Takapuna to-day was : abaiidbrie:d. This' morning it was decided, that if the rain cleared to take .the scholars to Cornwall Park in the -afternoon for sjports, etc, but ..this 'also Was found _ impracticable. The children spent the day very j happily in St. Andrew's Hall, where I games were indulged in, .and a substantial dinner and tea .provided.

A physical 'culture class has been: formed at Auckland Police Barracks, arid about :30 members of the force are taking' lessons under the able direction of Arthur Skinner, the we_-l__own wrestler arid _l_-round athlete. Sandow exercises are practised, and the men "are i schooled in wrestling, .arid '■other strength-giving arts. The class has been in operation for about three | weeks,' and .already an ■&aproyeirierit, in the rauscU—T- development -and staying | power of its members Is noticeable. It is axiomatic that .to secure. ;peace we inu'st be- ready for w_r, arid therefore ! these 30 guardians of the public shOitld become potent factors for quietude.

The Ferry <3o: notify steamers to St. Helier_ Bay arid Barijgitoto Island to-morrow, also _req_ent trips the afternoon to>Hll, Powerful.

Mr G. M. Rylance, surgepri dentist, and m__ger 'of the Newton Dental Co., makes a specialty of .painless extractions. See -advertisement on page one. —Ad.

Cheap it a term that applies only to our prices. Geo. PowJds has unshrinkable underclothing, shirts, and pants, 4/9.^-Ad.

Just opened -up, our famous Trilby kid gloves, two and four domes, in browns, beavers, grey/ black, and white, at : 2/6 pair. A most economical glove. -South and Caughey, Ltd.—Ad.

From a cap to a stocking. Geo. Fowlds has a of tunic, Cooiway, Melville, and Norfolk suits.—Ad. Ladies' suede Jfeid gloves, elbow length, white and colours, at 2/11, 3/6, 3/11, 4/11 pair. -SiEfith "afid Ct-Ughey, Ltd.— !Ad.--

Costumes, in tweed .and cloth, in serge, in velvet, new shapes, new shades, 3s/6, 45/, 49/6, up to 7_gulnejas; blouses, in. flannelette, in flannel, in <ashii_iere,_'in delaine, in clUSfoh taffetta, iiMlk, ?/il, 4/6,_5/6, WK Vh -#/& "«P to 4 guineas. A% McCiillagh and (Wweif's.-^jid. Vapour Baths: Heavy *hipittent just to, hand, -now selling at 22/6 spot cash. If you Btudy -your -health you should purchase one .of these. —Tonson Garliek Co.—Ad.

For evening wear: Hand-painted silk and .crepe de chine scarves, lovely goods, 10/6 to m/ each; fancy _<»16urs<i wool fascinators, 1/6, 4/ll> 2/11, 3/58, li/Vi, up. .At McCullagh and Gower's.—Ad.