DENNISTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1932, Page 3

DENNISTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent > Work .gain been resumed ar. [ rhe mine bu the coal trade shows no ; signs of improving. Perhaps it is wa.Ting on the termination of the agreeiinent! The company promised to meei th miners before it expired. How about it J I Black damp caused a stoppage • * work the other day, but no ser : .o.'s I results are expected. The fire stih being under control. Hou-eholders will again be asked t meet and elect a school committee, t.n objecion that was lodged as to tin previous election having been upheld At the last meeting of the Union after the settlement 'pL'pjsa's weir considered, it ;was agreed to loa* money to those in need, which ?s ’ be refunded when possible. This wi I tide a lot over a difficult period. ThI National Council are to be asked e render assistance. The members he.-v certainly did their bit, and comrade should do theirs. Mr Steve Smythe ran out an easy winner of the billiard tournameu* held at the Face. Why should*! • Denniston Library also run a champ ionship for all on the Hill ? Despite a stormy night 3O and 40 people, alojjg with Misses Connor. Joyce and Gothard. Mr Wells --I Mr Holland (headmaster) attended •• 11 welcome social” in the Primar*. School. This social had been put off for some time owing to the bad weather on the Hill, its purpose being to welcome the two new teachers, Miss K. Joyce and Miss P. H. Connor. Games and songs were indulged in with zest, by those present, also some selections on the ukulele and piano. Songs were rendered by the Misses Ward and Masters Anderson and Gillespie. Miss Gothard contributed selections on the ukulele and Miss Joyce, vho was encored, gave a pianoforte selection entitled “Edelweiss” and for an encore “I’ve Lost My Doggie.” in which all took part. During the evening tea was served to everyone present by the High School pupils, this being enjoyed to the full. Mr J. Meili wain and Mr J. Anderson (chairman and secretary respectively of the School Committee) were invited to attend, and Mr Mclllwain amused those present with his story of the man who went to New York to be cured of stuttering. At the close of a very enjoyable evening Mr Mclllwain, on behalf of the Committee, expressed the greatest pleasure at being present, and spending such ap enjoyable evening. Master Jim Paterson made a veryefficient M.C. Local Elections.

The workers* accredited nominee foi the coming election, Mr A. Wathey, visited Waimangaroa, accompanied by; Mr Clark (convenor) and Mr H. Laurie (chairman of the Union and Hospital j Committee), A large audience greeted] them, Mr J Dowse was in the cha'r. ■ Mr Laurie said he was pleased to be 1 amongst old friends, but his main pur | pose was to advocate the need of the workers supporting the workers’ nominees, namely Messrs Wathey (Denniston), Findlayson (Millerton'), Cox (Hector), and Taylor (Stockton) In giving a resume of the work performed by the workers in paying twenty shillings in the pound on a fifty pei cent, reduction in income, and thmplacing Denniston Hospital in a po. ’ tion second to none in the country, ho said the Hon. Mr Mclntyre would not. be pleased until their little .hospial was closed. He was the heading member of the Board. A deputation waited upon the Board to refute statements published in the press, but the deputation was treated with scant courtesy, mainly owing to the Chairman’s dogmatic attitude. Why wa.* it that Denniston had to foot then bills in full when every hospital in the country, and no doubt in the world, was in debt. It was chiefly because they had an unsympathetic Board. ‘The way to change its outlook I was to elect accredited workers’ representatives. Several accusation • made by Jhe Board had been refu ed, but no apology was forthcoming The Board was like a one-man band 1 tracing the work of the Board and the ] treatment of the Hospital Committee, the speaker was cheered to the echo. Tn conclusion he asked those present ot vote solidly for Messrs Wathey, Cox Taylor and Findlayson, thereby seem - ing a neucleus that, by team work would safeguard the workers interests, and if possible make this district a more beautiful place to live in. Mr Wathey said: At th© outset. 1 wish ft to be plainly understood that

I have had no previous experience o County Council work, lut as a worker I claim that it is my business, and more so yours, to |ook after our ow.i affairs. Apathy and indifference in the past have been the workers’ down fall. However, through depression shortage of work and high taxation, the worker, has, as least on the Coast, realised the need of organising on a class 'basis, and co-operating with his neighbours in an endeavour to have every position on the Buller Coun \ Council and Hospital Board contested Tt is up to you as woiKers to support those who support you. Our comrades in Millerton, Stockton and Granir; have nominated Messrs Taylor, Cox. and Findlayson. I being the Denniston nominee. As members of the La.h our Movement, we stand by the workers' policy. If at any time we should d viate from a straight course, the recall will operate immediately. It • ■ nr intention to hold meetings periodi (•ally to give an account of our stew ardship. For years no member of the uncil or Hospital Board thought fit ’•> address the electors. Whyt Because th-' workers did not care when times were prosperous. You are part o' ners of the property, including roads bridges etc. Therefore it is youhoundcn duty to see that the business of the country is run according to your wishes. The Council acquisced in the Hon. Mclntyre proceeding to W lington on a deputation to have Boiler Gorge railway restarted on relieL rates. This would mean that all rail way construction work could be done on less than award rates, thereby extending * 1 scab'’ rates of wages on standard works, a menace to Unionism ' and previously it had been decided to have only one polling booth for Den niston and Burnett’s Face, but a t>r<‘ test from several public bodies has had it altered, two now being provided. I am a believer of direct lab our on all jobs. The contract system being a speed up one, I prefer that day wages operate. The sanitatio*' system in Denniston and the water sye tern are both obsolete and insanitary Both will receive the attention of myself if elected. The cost of the san* tation service could be reduced, but instead 5/- was added to it, the surplus being placed to the general ae count. I would favour Waimangaroa being joined to Denniston, and also « ’water and sanitation scheme for you.

I Why, if civilisation nas progresses, ’should not we paticipate m its bene 'fits! It may be an imaginary gnev ance, but I believe obstacles are being placed in my way. On two occasion a balance sheet has been asked for. and given, but on opening it, I fouW it was a last years one, allowing me no I opportunity of perusing and analysing I the difference between last years and I this years. Hence I am unable to deal 1 with our finances. n I Mr Wathey commented on Mr PowI ell’s (secretary of the Buller Hospital (Board’s) letter refuting his (the . speaker’s) statement at Denniston. I that a member receiving charitable aid had his allowance stopped immediately after the lock-out started here. He read a letter sent to the storekeeper , authorising him to supply the said | member’s family with provisions to the value of 25s weekly, up to the 15th inst., that was for the weeks 1 ending Ist, Sth and 15th April. It added the Board would meet on the 19th. when he would be advised whe-1 ther relief was to be continued or not. On the 26th of the month no news of J , the decision of the Board was to hai d. The circumstances of the unfortunate member had not changed, I ’ nt from further information gb ’nd , Mr TTowes was to investigate. TTw were the man, wife and seven children : going to live in the interval? Later over the ’phone Mr Powell stated that • relief had not been stopped. His Niter was clear that after April 15th there was to be no aid. He would I prefer to be elected on n 100 per | cent, poll than a 60 -per • t. one. Tf Mr Howes, his opponent, went to the poll, he wished him the best of luck, and whoever won their friendship’ could not be broken. (Loud applause.) | Questions wore asked as follows: — I “If elected, will Mr Wathey guar- 1 j an tee to do as much work as the preI «ent member?” Answer: “I shall do ■ my best. You shall have an oppor- : turrity, at intervals, of keeping me up I to the scratch.” “Are you in favour of coupling Waimangaroa with Denniston for sanitation purposes?” Answer: “Yes. and of improving on the present scheme. ’ ’ “Are you in favour of Parliamentary franchise?” Answer: “Yes: Denniston Union has written Mr Hol land on the matter.” “My father, who is over 70 years, pays £6O a year in rates, a large portion of the land being waterlogged

Would you favour a reduction?” Answer: “No; rates are based on capital; value, and if not under production, it should be given to those who are will i-.g and ready to place the land under production. ’ ’ “Are you in favour of victimising those in arrears with rates?” Answer: “No. Even the present Government i (cognise the impossibility of some farmers paying their rates, and have passed a bill allowing those to vote who are one year in arrears.” “Are you in favour of the old track being again made fit for use?” Answer: “Yes. The present conditions do not allow workers to travel in “Do you favour the County Enginer holding down three jobs?” Answer: “No. 1 favour one man one job. where possible. Probably at the -nd of the year a premium will be given. Our salvation is shorter hours, organised production for use, and higher wages Then and only then will become non-existent.” “Are you in favour of unemployed working on small farms, and improving the farmers’ roads?” Answer: “The Labour Party policy is that roads are a necessity if agriculture is to develop, and 1 favour this.” “Are you in favour of lighting V aimangaroa ? ” Answer: “Yes. We are entitled to the benefits of invention and science.” Air Ted Humphreys moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers, and said the ballot box would signify who had the confidence of the electors. This was carried with acclamation. Tie meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. A pleasing feature was Mr Howes and Mr Wathey wishing each other luck. At the annual meeting of the Hospital Committee members, the following were appointed officials for the ensuing year: Chairman. Mr H. Laurie; Secretary, Mr A. Wishart: Committee. Messrs D. Hamilton. J. Brownlee. M. Clark, W. Hanstock and G. Hill. May 11th is polling day and workers should vote solidly for their own candidates.