PREFERENCE POINT OF VIEW

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 25, 29 July 1914, Page 10

PREFERENCE POINT OF VIEW

10 THX EWTOn. Sir, — As secretary of the committee set up to look after the interests of the preference men oti the waterfront, I would like to point out to your readers the attitude of both parties dt the meeting of waterside workers on Monday, thft 20th inst. As you know, the old union party have endeavoured, by sheer weight of numbers, to carry matters with a high hand, ignoring the right or justice of any voluntary arbitrationist to have a say on any matter affecting the control of the union. At last the preference men have decided that it is quite time they woke up to the danger of allowing the affairs of the union being controlled by the irresponsible band that was at the head of the old union. As long as these men of "straw" are in a position to foment dissatisfaction amongst the exstrikers there will be bitter adversity on the wharves. II 11I 1 was the action of the members of the former union in denying to fche preference men any representation on the committee of revision of rules appointed that galvanised the preference men into action. The result of this stimulus was remarkable in it* effects at this last meeting. For the first time since the ex-stril;ers joined the union the preference nfen were able, although to my mind, inferior in numbers, to dominate the meeting, and so prevent this last determined effort on the part of a certain clique to capture the reins of government of it he new union. It was" an eye-opener to both factions. It . served to show the old leaders, that their power was departing, their tactics jvei© useless and ujpowad* and the mad'

visability of considering that all who differed from thorn were devoid of brains or foresight. At the meetihg on Monday night the Rules Revision Committee tried, assisted by their partisans, to cram down our necks without discussion a set of new rules which had been merely read out at the commencement of the meeting. I, as the speaker for the preference men, rose to strenuously oppose this, but was not to be allowed to deliver my arguments. Mark the inconsistency of these people. All through the strike, and before and since then, they have shrieked > about freedom of speech being prevented, and yet wo were not to be allowed to speak at all. Only straight speaking is understood by this class of people, and I gave it to them to this effect : "If you will not accord us a fair hearing, will not let us speak calmly and without interruption, then none of your side of the house will bo heard. I have here between 200 and 300 men who will, on my raising my hand, prevent anything more being heard." This was simply an example copied from them, »nd it was . a bitter surprise to them being hoisted by their own petard. My amendment" that the proposed new rules be printed and circulated was quite reasonable. There were not fifty men in the hall who could understand what was read out, and for any man to be able, during the rapid reading (taking up about 45 minntes) of 30 new rules, one rule of which alone had 46 clauses, to comprehend the meaning of each one, and give an unbiased vote on each question, was out of all reason. I have here picked out two of the rules as specimens of what were to be forced on us without the right of proteßt. These are only a small portion of the contentious measures brought forward. Rule 4 and Rule 32, 'sixth section. These two I rules have to be taken together. Rule 4 : The contributions shall be Is 3d per calendar month, 3d of such contribution shall be allocated to the band and social fund to be used for the general np-keep of instruments, uniforms, and equipment, and if possible maintain a social club. We will actively oppose the allocation of any of our funds to maintaining an expensive luxury an the shape of a band. The union members, are to pay a tax of about £300 a year to enable a few members to practise music and parade- in uniform for the purpose of competing at paid engagements. Would not immeasurably more good be done' by helping to relieve the sick and maimed members than having that £300 blared away through the instruments of a band? We certainly object to being compelled to pay any weekly or monthly sum for such a purpose, and if this clause be passed in defiance ,of our wishes, we -will decline to pay it and shall start a fund for the purpose of fighting the matter out in the Supreme Court. Rule 22, 6th section and clause a of that rule, deal with the objects and powers of .the band, I and to deal with this and the rest of the rules will take too much of your space. The foregoing will suffice to show your readers what was attempted to be passed without disenssion at Monday night's meeting. Can you wonder at our kicking? — I am, etc., J. H. HILL. Wellington, 27th July, 1914. REGULATIONS FOR TEACHERS \ TO Till EDITOR. Sir, — I notice that some of our teachers have been taking part in Canon Garland's crusade against our national schools. It is lucky for them that they are not teachers in New South Wales. Queensland, Western Australia, or Tasmania, for if they were they would be dismissed. In New South Wales one rule is : "Teachers shall not take any office or perform any work which may interfere with the proper discharge of their duties to the Department, or with the maintenance of amicable relations with their neighbours." Anothei is: "Teachers shall not actively take part in public meetings for the discussion of political or sectarian topics. . . . They shall not actively take part in public meetings for the discussion of the merits of the State system of education or its administration.*' There are similar rules in Western Australia and in Tasmania. In Tasmania the regulations sity : "Teachers of all ranks are required to abstain from participation in any public meetings or other gatherings' on party, political, or sectarian topics," etc. Some of our teachers desire New Zealand to inaugurate the New South Wales system. If we do, will it not be necessary to hay* similar regulation? — I am, etc., EDUCATIONALIST. 27th July, 19U. THE BETTERMENT BILL TO THB EDITOR. • Sir — I have read with interest yo\u* editorial comments on Mr. M'Callum's Bill in to-night's issue of The Post, suid, with your permission, would add a few more. It appears to be forgotten nowadays that a betterment tax \r*s part of Sir Julius Vogel's public works policy, and that ho was obliged to abandon it, not because he lost faith in the principle, but on account of the influence of the "landed interest." Coining to more recent times, Mr. Seddon delivered what i* termed a policy speech at Greymouth in the summer of 1893, in course of which he advocated a betterment tax on the lines Originally suggested by Sir Julius Vogel. Moreover, Mr. Sed-/ don introduced a Betterment Bill in 1893, and again in 1894. On neither occasion did the Bill come to the second reading, and it has gince been heard of only at rare intervals, and then only ac » kind of unattainable counsel of perfection. The beiSt that cam be said for the betterment prin'oiple is that it amounts to a recognition of the great principle that the com-munity-created Value of land belongs to the community. As a practical measure it is merely a olumsy attempt to do the right thing in .the wrong way. That railways enhance the value of land is of oourse true, but so do all publio works, and the question once- arises why the value imparted the land by a- railway 'should be treated as something different from that imparted by, ssuy, a highway, a wharf, a bridge. Again, the benefit of *, railway may bo expressed in enhanced land values a long way from tho line it»elf. The completion of the ChristchurchPioton line, for example, will unquestionably enhance the value of land in this city. Do you suppose that Wellington would be included in the betterment area, assuming that such a measure were passed? Can you not gee that an increase in the land tax will accomplish all that is sought by a> betterment tax? Indeed, an increase in the land tax will do mush more, for it will apply to tho whole of the community-created ralue of land, and will not bo b'mited merely to so much thereof as has bern caused by railway construction. Jt would s.ppear, however, that our politicians can never do the right thing except by ths process known to mathematicians as "exhausting the possibilities of error." — I am, etc., P. J. O'REGAN. 23rd July. IMPROVE YOUR DRINK. Make it more palatable, more healthful, by adding to it Wai-Rongoa Natural Mineral' Water. Always say, when ordering your whisky, "I'll take WaiRongoa with it." The waiter will understand. Hotels and clubs. — Advt. In wet weather, it is a good and sensible precaution to have a Nazol Inhaler always at hand. This is a simple contrivance to enable old and young to inhale "Nazol" — that proven and popular remedy for colds, catarrh, sore throat, and bronchitis. "Nazol" may also be taken on lump sugar Sold by all chemists. Sixty doses Is 6d. — Advt. For Bronchial Coughs, take Woods' Gifiafc Pepp.ermjaj .Cyre, Ji &d.— Advt A