WELLINGTON LABOR LEADERS.

Evening Star, Issue 11609, 20 June 1902, Page 4

WELLINGTON LABOR LEADERS.

LIVELY PROCEEDINGS. [SraciAii to th« Stab.] WELLINGTON, June 20, The meeting of the Trades Council last night was cluuucterised by exceptionally lively proceedings. Every topic of discussion appeared to be of a highly controversial nature, and tho various speakers delivered ideas in language of great volume and force. A recent interpretation of the painters’ award,. Mr Sedclon’s cabled uttejv uncos regarding tho > prosperity of New Zealand, the application of the Farmers’ Union for co-operation, and the organising of a public meeting gave rise to protracted discussions, in which politics figured prominently. The flood of eloquence had not been exhausted when the closure was applied, and the meeting broke up in confusion.

The secretory of the Formers’ Union wrote stating that he would be glad of the! opportunity of explaining the aims and oh- j jects of the Union to members of the trades unions of Wellington at an early date. Ho thought that a meeting under the auspices of the Trades Council would do a lot to remove tin misunderstanding which had arisen between the organisations. After discussion Mr Colo moved—“ That the Council cannot see their way to entertain the ■ proposal of the Farmers’ Union,” He did not know the lines they proposed going on, and it might be that they only wished to make tools of tho Trades Council and launch some Tory scheme on them. Mr Andrew Collins said he had not the least doubt that an attempt t> capture the workers of tho colony would be made. When the Farmers’ Union first started Mr Glass, their organiser, had distinctly laid it down that they were not in favor of labor legislation. Tho resolution was passed unanimously. A resolution waa received from tho Pointers’ Union emphatically condemning the action of the Arbitradoa Court in altering their award under the cover of “ interpretation,” asked for by one of tho parties. Sir Colo said that tho matter had been discussed fully Tho Painters’ Union were determined to kick up a noise about tho recent decision, whether they received assistance from other unions or not. Tho manner they had been treated by Judge Cooper and the members of the Arbitration Court was a scandal. Mr Naughton said that the pointers bad made a very great mistake, and particularly Mr Colo, in having made use of the violent language at tho last meeting. He did not think such language was calculated to cause any good, or to influence the Court to do anything else. Were Mr Cole and the union prepared to ,go back to tho old system in vogue previous to the operation of the Act? Mr Cole: “ Certainly.” Mr Murphy was surprised at the attitude the painters had token in the matter. To say that one member of the Arbitration Court was a wooden man and that another was always opposed to labor was not the position they should take up. Mr Cole said that the language had been used in his calmest moments, and he v as prepared to speak considerably stronger. The chairman considered It would be unwise to come to a decision, in view of the impending conference of trades unions. The subject was accordingly postponed. Mr Cole asked if the Council intended taking steps to contradict Mr geddou’s last statement that there was no poverty in New Zealand. If it got abroad in England people there might he tempted to emigrate —to sell cut their homes, and come out here to starve. It wag all very well for Mr Seddon to advertise New Zealand, but not at their expense. Mr Murphy asked proof that the Premier had mode such a state- j ment. Mr Cole moved that the secretary I be instructed to write to the secretary of ; the London Trades Council asking jf such a statement had been made, and to give full publicity to th« fact that there was poverty in New' Zealand, and that the unemployed difficulty existed. Mr Denew expressed the opinion that harm might be done if the lie got three months’ start. The impression was that workers in the Old Country who could scrape up their passage money would pause twice before venturing out. Whv was it capitalists and employers of newspapers were now lauding Mr Seddon but to crush the laborers? He had always pandered to the great majority. Could they blame him? Did thev think he waa going to take any notice of a. crowd of workers when he found that they bad split them\ selves up? The Chairman: “PI! have to pull you up. You are going into a political speech.” Mr Collin* (excitedly): “ Yes. It is political—don’t you forget it. Yon are talcing this resolution to set up the cry of this colony against Dick Seddon. You think you aio going to have these matters be- j fore this Council, and jrct some of us ; are not allowed —Too Chairmen : “I ask vou to sit down, sir.” Mr Cole rose to a point of order amidst considerable excitement. He moved for an extension of the time rule. On a division the motion i

was lout, and to® westing broke up m GOBfusion, » Bumbof of members indulging in personal altercations andreertot^ti o^