THE PREMIER AND THE WORKERS. FAREWELL SPEECH.

Evening Post, Volume LXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1902, Page 7

THE PREMIER AND THE WORKERS. FAREWELL SPEECH.

The workers of Wellington assembled in large numbers at the Druids' Hall, Taranuki-stroet, last night, to bid farowell to Mr. Seddon on his approaching departure for the Old Country. Mr. H. 0. Jtjnes, Presidont of tho Trades and Labour Council, occupied the chair, and several prominent members of that body, together with tho members of the Victorian Labour Commissioners, occupied teats on tho platform. The Chairman, in opening tho proceedingii referred to tho good work Mr. Stddon had ilcno on behalf of the workers, and presented him with an address of which tho following is a copy: — , "Dear Mr. Seddon— vVo, the undersigned, on behalf of tho workers of Wellington, desire to tender you our farewell upon this the eve of your departure for London to attend the King's Coronation. We are deeply sensible of the groat work you have done for our country and of tho bold and statesmanlike manner in which you have grappled with the great problems that affect tho workers of modern times. Your foresight, your courage, your sympathy, have shown you to be a truo leader of men, and what has been accomplished in jNoav Zealand through your initiation and under your guidance has drawn to this colony tho admiring attention of reformers iv all parts of the civilised world. What has already been achieved during your term of office will ever remain a bright page in the history of tho colony. We would specially emphasise the legislation which has been passed to assist the country settlers, old-age pensioners, and the workers generally. We trust during your sojourn in tho Mother Country you will by speech und action endeavour to encourage those who arc engaged in efforts to improve the conditions of the workers at Home, and enable them to procure some of the benefits enjoyed by tho workers hero. In bidding you, with Mrs. Seddon and the members of your family, gcod-bye, we do so with tho earnest prayer that you may return to us in good health and strength, andthut you may long continue to hold oiiice as our trusted leader, to obtain and advance the true interests of tho people of this favoured land." The addiens Mas signed on behalf of the workers of Wellington by H. C. Jones, Chairman of the Trades and Labour Council, A. 11. Cooper, Secretary of the Trados and Labour Council, W. d. Skinner, President of tho Typographical Union, Jas. K. Vnil, Secretary of the Tailors' Union, Win. Nanghlon, President of the Book-* binders' Society, A. D.Hood, President and A. R. Hislop, Secretary of the Marine Engineers Society. The presentation of the address was greeted with loud applause. A cornet solo was played by Mr. Chapman, and the Premier then rose to reply, being greeted with loud applause and the singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Mr. Seddon commenced his speech by remarking on tho change which has taken place in tho condition of labour in New Zealand during the past ten or eleven years — a result which, he said, had been, brought, about by the appeal to reason. Employers are now, ho declared, better otf than ever before in the history of the colony, industries were increasing and flourishing, and the workers of the colony stand in the best and proudest position of any workers within the British Empire. (Cheers). The Legislature had acted fairly between the workers and the employers, and he was in the proud position now of Baying that no employer in the colony worthy of the name and no worker wished to have that legislation repealed. The Conciliation and Arbitration Act was the Magna Charta of the working men of the colony, and was the greatest bulwark and strength that the employers could ever have, because public opinion was behind it ; the people were supporting it, and the country was profiting by it. Mr. Seddon then proceeded to give a detailed account of the principal labour laws passed by the present Administration, and the causes that rendered that legislation necessary, and the beneficial results which he urged had been achieved. Referring to tho Conciliation and Arbitration Act, he said that conciliation and arbitration were so wrapped lip together that they should never be separated, and the basis laid down by the New Zealand legislature was the eahai, and would prove to be the best. (Applause.) He described at length the benefit such an Act would be in America and Qreat Britain, and then went on to refer to the amendment made in the Act last session giving either party power to go direct to the Arbitration Court. That was a defect, but peoplo were reasonable, and probably would not take advantage of it,- and they ought to go back to the law as it originally stood. The Conciliation Boards were beneficial in bringing about an amicable relationship between the employers and. employed, and Judge Cooper, tho President of tho Court, had stated distinctly that in his opinion the abolition of Conciliation Boards would be a great mistake. He prophesied that when matters got back to their normal condition there would be a relationship of a most cordial character between employers and employed. (Applause.) Mr. Seddon went on to refer to the legislation that had been passed for the benefit of settlers on the land, and to the\.old-uge Pensions Act, and remarked that he would when in England miss no opportunity to try and lift up our kindred and place the workers of the Mother Country on the samo footing a 9 the workers of New Zealund. (Applause). In conclusion ho thanked tho workers for the good wishes expressed in tho address, nnd said ho loft New Zealand with a light heart, because it was in a most prosperous condition. There was a good feeling between employed and employers, and he hoped that good feeling would continue. Finally, ho said he wanted to take tha opportunity of stamping out a foul slander that had been lurried against the workers of the colony — viz., that the workers were only prepared to do a certain amount; that the}' did not take an interest in their work; and that they limited the output in accordance with the amount they were paid. That was a foul slander on the workers of New Zea> lnnd. (Applause.) Ho had never met a single employer who had ever hinted at or suggested such a thing. Tho workers of New Zealand took an interest in their work ; they worked intelligently, and the work they tuined out showed that they were equal to the best workeis in the world. (Cheer<o. He concluded by saying that he would do his best for New Zealand and the Empire, believing that it is ono of the grandest Kmpires the -world hnd ever known, that it would last the longest, and grow still greater if they continued on the lines laid down in New Zealand. On the motion of Mr. W. Naugltton a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Premier for his address, and the meeting concluded Avith the singing of "God Save the King."