LABOR NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3592, 3 August 1912, Page 10

LABOR NOTES.

(By “Reformer.”)

Tlie Trades Council called a third meeting of ratepayers for last Monday evening to consider tho road and electric light loans that were voted upon last Wednesday. There was an attendance of over 70. The president of the Trades Council (Mr J. C. E. Turner) intimated his desire to be relieved of the chairmanship, and Mr D. W. Coleman was elected to fill his place. A general discussion upon Borough matters took place, but it was evident that the majority of those present were far from feeling comfortable, owing to tlie presence of Cr. Collins. The redoubtable doctor was in good form, and occupied the floor for the best part of the evening, much to the annoyance of some gentlemen at the back of tho hall. At tho two previous meetings of ratepayers the criticism passed on the Council was both trenchant and to the point, but last Monday the doctor’s presence caused the majority to be tongue-tied. It was nearly twelve o’clock when the meeting terminated. * * K The two loans placed before ratepayers last Wednesday were carried by over 90 votes. Although the Mayor has succeeded in getting tlie loans through I think he realises that the strong opposition against the loans is such as to mean that more care must be shown in the expenditure of Borough moneys. Let us hope that both Mayor and Council will do their best to improve the existing conditions, especially in regard to the roads. The present administration from now until April next will practically be upon trial, and by that which they may do during this period will they be judged when tho burgesses next visit the ballot- box.

Tlie Typographical Union held a meeting on Wednesday evening last and decided without a dissentient-vote to l>ecomo affiliated to tho United Labor Party. ■j. ■* r. Messrs G. H. Bartlett, J. C. E. Turner and Alex. Anderson were recently elected as a delegation to wait upon the- different unions for the purpose of asking their favorable consideration of affiliation to the T nit-ed Labor Party. * * * The local Labor .Party held an urgent special meeting last night to discuss some important business. A special meeting of the Hotel Employees’ Union was held last night in Townley’s Hail to consider the question of representation at the forthcoming conference and also to discuss remits. • * *

The Red Federation, to quote a southern paper, is apparently going to make strenuous efforts to gain a footing in Gisborne. Mr Fraser, who arrived here some time ago, made several unsuccessful attempts to obtain converts. Tho Federation Executive have recently met in Wellington, and the question of Gisborne’s disinclination to become a member of tlie fold, has evidently been discussed, for Mr Fraser has been sent back again with reinforcements in the person of Mr Parry. I wonder if ho will lie any more successful! I doubt it, lor the Federation schemes do -npt appeal to the workers in Gisborne.

One wonders how AYaihi and Reefton are doing for funds whilst the Federation of Labor is sending its highly-paid officials scouring round the country at the workers’ expense. The officials are fat and prosperoushut what of the workers and their families in the above-mentioned places? « * * On Saturday morning last the first case under tlie New Zealand Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, came before the Supreme Court at Wellington in interlocutory motions for production and discovery. His Honor the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) was on the bench. Last February information was laid against the Colonial Sugar Refining Company charging it with a breach of the Act in that it had given preferential terms to certain merchants and that a table of discounts was in existence under which purchasers of unusually large quantities of sugar could obtain benefit. The Association comprises some 50 meinliers, hut the Crown ha\ o selected Levin and Co., W. M. Bannatyne and Co., and Joseph Nathan and Co., for prosecution. These firms arc leading merchants in Wellington.

The Wclington Typographical Union celebrated its jubilee last Saturday evening. A smoke concert was held in the Hotel Windsor, under the chairmanship of Mr G. C. Barker, president of the Union. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher (Minister of Customs and Marine), Mr A. H. Hindmarsh, M. 1., and Mr D. McLaren (Mayor of Wellington), were present. « # *

At Auckland last Monday evening Sir Joseph Ward opened a new trades hall. Ho conjured up visions, of a recrudesce!)t Liberal-Labor combination calculated to' oust Conservatism at the next election. It is quite evident that- Sir Joseph has not keen reading the signs of the times. His vision is a dream. * * -X-

The Swiss Federal Council has hit upon a plan with a view of bringing within easy access of the people the art treasures of the nation. The council has set aside a sum of 30,000 francs for providing a building which can be erected in twenty-four hours and taken to pieces when desired, so

as to bo moved from one town to another. In this building, which will contain thirty rooms, there will be exhibited pictures and objects d’art belonging to the nation, and also loans from private collections. In Belgium they liavo a boat picture gallery which visits the various towns.

Arangements were completed by the Invercargill Housewives’ Union recently for supplying coal to members at a reduction of from 4 s to 11s. per ton, but they were unfortunately prevented from doing so by the Nightcaps Coal Company. The committee, however, are not disheartened by the company’s refusal, and have made representations in other directions, with the result that a tentative offer has been made to supply coal of cqually good quality at a cheaper rate than under the original arrangement. The offer, however, was held over until the result of the motion standing in the town council orderpaper regarding a municipal coal depot was known. The Union has been more successful in another way, and has entered into an agreement with Messrs Gibb Bros., of CJifton, to supply milk to members at fid per quart. The arrangement has now been in existence since June Ist, and it is gratifying to note' that no complaints have been made, although over sixty members are now taking advantage of the supply. Mr J. A. McCullough (member of the Arbitration Court) gave the following reasons for the workers avoiding an/1 decrying the church. “I am aware,” he said, “that the gift of eloquence is not the only, nor indeed the main, qualification; but at least it should be considered of son e little importance for a preacher. Coe only needs to attend and hear > >me of the sermons that are delivered, and more often read, to realise how little thought has been given to the questions discussed, how little of the saving grace of commoiisense there is in the effusion, the parrot-like reiteration of pet phrases, and the apparent Jack of worldly knowledge or wisdom displayed. We have not yet got rid of the younger sons of respectable families who, being unfitted for the legal profession, the army, or commerce, are prepared for holy orders. Seriously, 1 contend that the church authorities ought to insist on those who are set apart for the work of the ministry being given a course of elocution, and unless a candidate comes up to a certain standard he should be refused admission to the nulnit.”

The Hastings electoral branch or the United Labor Party has seventy members' and is growing rapidly.

In Napier in the new organisation there are twenty-eight for a start, and a very rapid growth is promised. The Trades and Labor Council of Napier is also moving in the same direction as all the other councils in New Zealand in joining the United Labor Party. Half-a-dozen unions are now taking the ballot on these matters with the sure result that tilings are t-o be set in motion in the Hawke’s Bay district.

The Plumbers’ Federation of New Zealand joined the United Labor Party as a body, and in Wellington, Auckland and at many other points they are joining up with the District Labor Councils as well. It is of the utmost importance that all trade unions should be members of the local district councils, as well as of the National Federation of their own trades mid through one or the other of those should be affiliated with tho Dominion organisation of the United Labor Party.

Edison on Profit Hogs. Edison, that noblest-minded inventor of modern times, spoke to a New York New Year interviewer for a ringowned paper, thusly:— “The worst thing about 1012 is the number of hoggish men it will have to tolerate—men, I mean, who are so greedy that they’ll starve an inventor so hard that- lie can’t work. That's just what we suffer from now. “The inventor can’t produce. Why, there is no end —absolutely no end—to the things that 1912 could produce to make life easier and hotter and happier. But the inventors can’t produce. They’re starved down. The men that handle their inventions starve them.

“That’s why tho greedy men arc the year’s worst blight. That’s why 1912 won’t do anything near what it might ho able to do in producing things for the world’s good.

“What should wo do this year? Back up the man who produces—the man who works. That is, support the man and make his job easier. I tell you there is something wrong—deeply, sadly, fundamentally wrong—with our social system wheu so many greedy men ride the backs of the men who are tho producers.”