WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1932, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

tOur Own Correspondent.) May Dav. WESTPORT, May 3. In common with all other working “lass districts, May Day was fittingly observed yesterday. Westport was the Mecca of .some 300 miners from Millerton, accompanied by their wives, an t in many cases their families. Special cars kindly brought them to town, and the officers of tho Miners’ and Unemployed Unions efficiently carried outlm task of attending to the comfort of the gathering. The assembly was augmented by the presence of a num bpr of Westport unemployed. On reaching the outskirts of the town a processjop was formed, at the head or which miners’ wives carried a banner inscribed, “Wo Demand the Right to Live.” The processionists marched flown the main street and returned to Victoria Square where addresses were delivered by Messrs W. Clark and Ji McGregor, who confined their remarks Io the awful plight of the people a 1 Millerton as a result of unemployment. Messrs Evans (chair), Adams, Connolly and Perkins also spoke and referred to the significance of May Day. The Chairman in his opening remarks, men tinned that demonstrations of a similar kind were being conducted throughout the world on that day. and touched upon tho motive of the occasion at length. The introduction of machinery into industry was the greatest, contributing factor tQ^unemployment and it ho (thp speaker) could invent a contrivance which would displace 40 or 50 men, ho would bo regarded as a hero. Workers should not devote too mucn time to sport to the detriment of a realisation of their social status. Business people in Westport welcomed a reduction in wages, but now that the purchasing power of thp worker had diminished to a minimum they ehang ed their tune. Mr Clark, President o’ ‘hr Millerton Miners’ Union, stated the demonstration was jointly arrang ed by th© Miners’ Union and the local branches of the U.W.M. The awful conditions which followed in the trail of unemployment were more apparent, in Millerton than in any other district. Ono pay had been drawn foi ten weeks and the Hon. Mr Mclntyre suggested that miners should draw in advance on their wages, which was a proposal that wa« only expected to Come from such a source. Overturet<> tho Heritable Aid Board on behalf of extreme cases ot hardship were >ot entertained, the members of that institution maintaining that those who wore given relief last week should not require sustenance on the following one. He (Mr Clark) had placed th ‘ position before members of the Board th it morning and gave them to understand that if relief was not granted thev intended remaining in Westpor* - till the chief object, of their visit was achieved. The Board members agreed to meet a deputation from the Miller ton people that day at 3.30 p.m. when | tho position would be discussed. Mr J McGregor confined his remarks chiefly to tho position in Millerton. In 19L7 tho colliery only worked half time and these conditions continued up to 1930,1’ when, owing to the Australian lock-out on the coal fields, matters improved, but since December last up to the present time tho mine had only j averaged one day two hours per week. Actual starvation was in evidence »t Millerton and miners went to woik with nothing but bread and treac-e to live .on. Relief had never been ■ granted by the Hospital Board without •• fighit. _.lt was suggested that, many people' in Millerton had money in the bank, ‘but he (Mr McGregor) did not know iof any instances of the. kind, and anv ojic so happily placed a couple of yeais ago would now have his resources well eaten up. Concluding Air McGregor referra l to tho forthcoming Hospital Board elections and improved ou ratepayers their great duty to support the candidates nominated by the Medical Associations. Mi Adams who spoke next, wts of the opinion that ic was- very doubtful if workers would ever get back to permanent employment The capitalist system to-day had a big surplus of labour power, and tho present conditions would eontinu’■ so long as the workers'tolerated their. Thn capitalist ip'as tottering, but Would cjontinuje lor a further long periotl if those who created wealth did not take a hand to end the present order of things. The problem had been solved in where to-day there was no unemployment and ho (the speaker) appealed to those present to interest themselves in the grea-: Soviet movement which brought about such a wonderful transition in Russia. Mr Perkins, said that the Communist Party was the only working class movement which issued a direct chai lenge to the capitalist system. It was stated that the Five Year Plan wot-Id have taken half a century to accomplish, but the great Russian task would be complete inside four years. Under capitalism there was production for profit. The awful conditions experienced by the workers m New Zealand would continue to prevail until sue* time as the present system was ended. Mr Connolly also addressed the gather-

ing. Mr Clark announced that a deputation would wait Hospital Board later when demands to meet the precarious position which existed at Millerton would be submitted to the Board.

Lively Proceedings at Board Meeting At 3.30 p.m. a deputation consisting of Messrs Clark, Jack. Adams, Watson, G. Potter (Milleiton) and E. Potter (Westport) waited on the foi lowing members of the Hospital Board in connection' with a request for re lief:—Messrs W. Caldwell (chair), I Griffiths, J. Niven, E. Fox l and the Secretary, Mr G. Powell. Whilst the I business we being discussed, u large gathering ~a?seniMed jn the vicinity of the Board’s room, amongst whom was a big sprinkling of women. Th”y «ang “The Red Flag’’ with great enthusiasm, and later crowded to the Board room, and kept up an incessant demand that a decision should be quickly arrived at, and issued an ultimatum to tho effect that further 1C niinuw woiPd be allowed in which to finalise the proceedings. Several women addressed the Board members and one elderly widow made a touching and impacsione 1 appeal or ba half of the Millerton people and collapsed immediately afterwards, and some time elapsed before she was brought round. The room wa* about the noisiest place in 2\ew Zealand fci -bout Lvc minutes An appeal from the members of the deputatn n had th ? desired effect, ami ih e demonstrators withdrew. The business was continued, and all the do- ■ mauds of the deputation were grante i.I and an announcement to that effect, | was received by the gathering with 1 applause. Mr Clark referred to tlm I position at Millerton and cited nianj | cases of destitution. Mr Mclntyre, : the chairman of the Board had reft;.-.- I od to entertain any applications lor 1 relief where dockets had been issued i the previous week. In his (Mr Clark’sopinion those cases deserved over; consideration. It was all very well for Mr Mclntyre to dictate as to how I a family should live on less than £1 per week. He did not have to do co. | Messrs Adams, Jack, E. Potter, G. Pot I lor and Watson also spoke. The latte;’ stated that people had come from M>l | lerton that morning without food and : he himself had nothing to eat. Th* I i deputation retired and Mr Niven im- | i mediately moved, and Mr Griffiths se<‘ onded, that all applications for reliei Ibo granted. It was also agreed to j? sue the dockets that night. Police were present in plain clothes but at no | «tage were their services required. |

Supreme Court Sittings. Tn reply to a telegram to Air I£. E Holland regarding the ne.xit sitting ft the Supreme Court, which including , Westport business will to held at Grey mouth, Air J. Niven, County Chairman ha« received the following- bi rertv to your telegram of yesterday I be< to say 'that I hatl already arrange the deputation to the Atinister of Jr«tice. The Minister has pointed, out that the Government has no power to aer iu the matter of the Supreme l our, sittings. He says that 1t is wholly in the hands of the Judges. However the deputation will take place and L am notifying Messrs Black and At ■ Intyro of tho date and hour. H.E.H,

Coal Shipments. Las l week the Westport Coal Com pany’s shipments were as follows: — Coal 3483 tons 9 cwt. Local sales tons 17 cwt. k Coke 35 tons 5 cwt

Shipping. The Rata sailed last night from N'! son for Wellington. The Kaponga sails on Friday dire. : from Dunedin for this port. The Komatn is expected here , ‘‘ n Thursday night. The Totara from Wellington, is due

to-morrow. The Kini which is tho only boat in port is expected to sail to-morrow.

Personal. Mr Kells Cobden was a visito r y"'' terday in connection with a mining proposition and renewo* acqua ntances with an old school mate, M-* Jack Prince.

Andy Phillips is now at the Sergeant’s Hill Hotel, where a welcome awaits all.—Advt.

Morgan’s Pictures To-night at the Victoria Theatre, Colin Clive plays the lead with Adrienne Allen in the all talking drama, “The Stronger Sex,” a drama of fierce love rivalry, waged partly in scenes of glittering fashion, and partly at the coal face of a fallen mine provides the dramatic fare of unusual strength. A marriage for money, and what came of it. Colin Clive will be remembered for his role of Captain Stanhope in “Journey’s End.” In addition to Adrienne Allen others in the cast are Gordon Harker, Renee Clama, Martin Lewis and Elsa Lanchester. Supports are Sound News, Scenes at the Zoo, and a two reel comedy. Prices 2/3 and 1/6. Reserves at Alorgan’s, near Theatre.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. “The Phantom of Paris” is John ■Gilbert’s latest starring picture for screening at the Victoria Theatre on Friday and Saturday and matinee Saturday at p.m. A swift moving story of thrills, adventure, drama and romance, set in the heart/ of modern Paris. Based on Gaston Leroux’s prize winning novel “Cheri-Bibi. ” The cast also includes Leila Hyams, Lewis Stone, C. Aubrey Smith and Jean Hersh olt. Excellent talkie supports.