NEWSBOY TO M.P.

Franklin Times, Volume 11, Issue 851, 17 July 1923, Page 3

NEWSBOY TO M.P.

A GRIM STRUGGLE, (By Richard Fairburn, M.P.) Forty-four years ago Mr Fairburn was a London newsboy. To-day he is M.P, for Worcester and senior councillor in that city. As a newsboy lie worked 1 - hours a day for six shillings a week. By pluck and industry he carved a career for himself in politics, and can nov> read his own speeches in newspapers he once sold in the slreets: In this article Mr Fairburn recalls his early struggles, and tells how his experiences have been useful to him in carrying out his public duties. "I was in London, but in the early seventies my family emigrated lo Canada. There I received my early education, and sold newspapers in the streets for an aunt after school hours. My father brought us back to London when I was 13, and again I became a newsboy. From early morning I ill late at night 1 shouted my wares al Ludgafe Hill Railway Station. My wages were six shillings a week. Competition was keen, and 1 soon discovered Ihul my job was no sinecure. Life became a stern battle for existence. Naturally, 1 did not gel very fat on six shillings a week. I know what it is to want a moat very badly and lo have lo go without. Things at home were serious. My father was ill and unable lo work. Then, Lo add lo our miseries, 1 got the sack. The blow fell just when I was looking forward lo a rise and trying hard to deserve it. My dismissal was my first taste of injustice, and 1 have never forgotten it.

Since those days 1 have often heard people who have never known want talk about the poor, in cotmcil chamber and House of Commons. I have been greatly amused. The man who seldom spends less than as on a dinner does not know what it is to try and get one for Gd. I do. Politics at Sixteen. Just when things were looking desperate I got a job in Hie publishing department of an evening newspaper. After a Lime I was transferred to the printing staff, and by gradual stages worked my way to the editorial floor as a reporter. /

Meanwhile 1 had cultivated a taste for politics. Before I was sixteen I joined the Southwark Political and Debating Society, of which the late Harry ouelch, the Socialist, was a leading member. My father was then secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Lightermen and Watermen. lie was greatly in need of assistance with his work, and pressed me to join him. The project to construct the Tower Bridge was meeting with considerable opposition from lightermen, who claimed that the structure would spoil Ihe pool and Interfere with the fairway, above the Tower. My father and I set lo work lo convince the lightermen of their error, but the task was not an easy one. Eventually we quelled all protests, and the bridge was buill. A new field of enterprise was opened up to me by the offer of the managership of the West Metropolitan Tramway Company.

1 accepted the appointment on my 21st birthday. My dulies were numerous. 1 had no highly-trained technical staff lo assist me, as present-day managers have. I had to buy the horses, and was responsible for their care and condilion. I had to purchase their fodder in Ihe best markets, and also allend to administralive and leehnienl affairs as well. Thus l gained a good commercial training.

A similar post became vacant at Worcester, and I secured the .job. I still preserved my interest, in politics, and took a keen and active part in the municipal life ol' Worcester. Eventually 1 was elected to the council. The directors of the tramway company did not, however, approve of my taking part in public affairs. As a result, 1 resigned, and devoted myself entirely to politics. i fought in the 11)10 and 11)18 Parliamentary elections as a forlorn hope, and added to ray store of experience. The Human Touch, Then 1 began to apply, the human touch to public affairs. 1 persuaded the officials with whom 1 came into contact to treat people as human beings.. 1 pointed out that il was just.as easy to be courteous to people who were poor as Co anybody else. As chairman of the local Pensions Committee, I came in contact with many who, like myself, had fell the cold breath of adversity. Instead of an abrupt command to till up form so and so, our applicants were shown how the necessary questions should be filled in, and in many cases the task was performed for them. Then results were gratifying to all concerned.

Another discovery I made was that the needs of women did not receive their proper attention. I found that women wen; not swayed by pints of beer. As Chancellors of (he Exchequer in their own homes I hey knew what they wanted. They found J was since, and dial- our interests wen; identical, and that 1 was a lighter for the cause of liberty. My early battles as a London newsboy. collided with my Press and commercial experiences, have accounted for my success. The light has been a keen one. bul it has been well worth while.