WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 1 August 1935, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) Paddy Webb ait Millerton: WESTPORT, July 31. Despite very cold weather, there was a large attendance at th© Hall, Millerion,, last evening, when Air P. (’. Webb. A1.1’., addressed one of the most successful meetings held on the Hill lor some years. The speaker dealt mainly with the P.W.D. contract system, and in the course of a spirited address referred in an outspoken mannoi to a section on Millerton, happily of small dimensions, who neve* failed to display their antagonism to the Labour Party and whom he described as victims of a vicious environment. Mr Webb made it. quite plain that he was not present to make any apologies, but if doing his best for the relief workers on Millerton m order that they could ear n a few ex fra shillings was a crime, then he would plead guilty to the offence. Air I Webb’s remarks were listened to with close attention, and at the close of his speech a unanimous vote of confidence in Mr Webb and the Labour Party was carried with acclamation. Mr Ben Davidson occupied the chair. The speaker in the course of his remarksaid the work offered o n the Miller'on track was to be done under the P.W.D. contract system, under which over 13 000 men were engaged at th© present time throughout Now Zealand. Prices were, based on 10s 6d and 8s 4d per day and although he admitted it was a privation wage,, it was the best that could be accomplished under ‘he present Government. Air Webb I quoted Air Cook (Secretary of the P.W.D. Union of Workers) as stating I that the work on all the. roads put | under way during the past few months was conducted on the same principle. I The speaker referred to the plight of the people in Millerton, which .was mainly brought about by the inroads oil fuel and hydro electricity had made into the coal trade. He promised them that. if Labour got into power. Millerton would become a better place to live in than i‘ was at present. When he (Mr Webb) went to Parliament representing Buller, single men only received 6s and were now being paid 14s. Increases had also been received by married men with famil ies. He had received wonderful assis tanep from local body representatives and Cam Schadick was worth his weight in gold to the relief worker IT.' was indebted to them all for their help and hoped he could continue to command their co-operation. Air Webb concluded «i great three hours’ speech by asking all to pull together and show that unanimity a t the ballot boxin November next which wil' ensure the return of the Labour Parly to power.

Mr Webb was asked several questions :i| the conclusion of the meeting which were satisfactorily answered. Dennisxon Vlsixea: Air AV ebb addressed a large meeting at Denniston on Monday evening, and dealt with various phases of th© political situation. fie also dealt with the work provided by the P.W.D. and Highways Board on the various roads in the Buller district, emphasising that the full lime employment at the Government standard rates of pay is the same in this district as prevails throughout New Zea and. Over 13,000 P.W.D. employees are working on the same principle, i.e., a form of co-op-erative contract with prices based on a married man’s wage of 10s 6d and a single man’s wage of 8s 4d a day. Before th© cuts, all P.W.D. employees on this class of work received approximately 15s a day. Bis (Mr Webbs) Party opposed the cuts and considered I lie present standard outrageously low but this standard was in keeping with the general policy of wage reductions of the present Government, and, being in a minority in the House, the Labour Party was unable to Hop them. The co-operative principle was established by th' Seddon Government at the request of the workmen some 40 odd years ago. It superseded a vicious form of priva’e contracting where a man would take a contract io do a ceriain job and employ labour invariably paying the loading man a couple of shillings a day extra to m%ke the pace. Seddon could see the injustice of this and inaugurated the present system. The Labour Party in the House and on th© platform advocated the abolition of ‘the dole ratt\? of pay and the rehabilitation of the workers to full tune rates

Mr Webb said he was very thank ful for what the Highways Board and Unemployment Board had done in meeting the requests of local *cpre sentations. Such representations emanated from committees in local districts consisting of the engineers and local bodies representatives. The following works hav© been put i under way during the last few months: Omoto4Greymouth road,. employing some 25 men; Blackball-Brunner ruad, employing some 40 men; the RapahoeSeven Mile deviation (50 mon); whilst arrangements have been made to employ 40 married men on the Westport side of the Buller Gorge and also 20 single men, to be domiciled in the huts at Tiroroa. The Waiman-garoa-Burnett’s Face road will also take another 40 tn 50 men, and the Cascade road. under th© County Council, subsidised by the Government, is employing 12 married men. Tn all of these places, whilst the men are convinced the rates <are far below that required, they consider it. a great advance on Scheme 5 rates*. At the conclusion of the meeting, on the motion of Air T. Whittle, a hearty vote of thanks (o the speaker and of confidence in the Labour Party was carried by acclamation. Air Frank Nelson, chairman of the Unemployed Workers’ Union moved a motion of thanks and appreciation to the speaker for what he had done for the unemp'oyed. This was also carried by acclamation,

Late Mr A. J. Findlay: The respect which the late Mr Allen James Findlay. of Denniston, com* manded was reflected by the large dimensions of his funeral, which took place to Orowaiti Cemetery yesierday. Included in the lengthy cortege, which followed the remains to their last resting place, were Mr P. C. Webb, M.P., Hon. W. H. Mclntyre (chairman Nelson ’Education Board), Campbell Schadick (County engineer), Mr O’Dea (Buller Hockey A •sedation), J. (1. Harknesg (Nelson Education Board), A. Dowgray (Buller Hockey Sub-Asso-ciation), J. C. Brown (Westport Coal Coy,). H. Hammond (Basketball Association). The Denniston School Committee, of which deceased had been secretary for a number of years k . and other local and sports bodies were also well represented. The casket was covered with the Union Jack, while four returned soldiers, Messrs Campbell, C. Walker. A. ATears and A. Hagedorn, acted as pall bearers. Amongst the floral tributes, which completely canopied the top of the hearse, were wreaths and other emblems of sorrow from the following: Denniston School) Committee; Kiwi Hockey Club, Stock- ' ton; Darkness Family; Standard VI A. Westport School; Kelpe Family, i O'd St. John’s Club; May and Lando; Staff Westport School; Returned Soldiers’ Association; Westport Tennis Club; Air and Mrs J. Bird; Denniston Hockey Club; Air and Mrs Strachan: Staff Denniston School and Afr Lock hart; Westport Golf Club; Buller Hockey Association; C. Linday; Alokihinui Hockey Club; Burnett’s Fac* Guild Committee; General School Committee.. Denniston; Public and Sports Bodies Denniston. Tn the unavoidable absence of Rev. Canon Bloyce, a short English Church service was conducted at the residence by Rev. S. AV. Webber ( . who also officiated at the graveside. The “Last Post” was sounded by Bugler Mr Tierra* BK’Jat Progress League: Air B. Martin was in the chair at Hie usual monthly meeting of the Progress League hold last evening. The secretary outlined the proposed , tourist development scheme which was inaugurated a* Greymouth The Coast would bn divided into four districts rontHbiting °ISP each. The fund v»uld it wa*- assumed, be subsidised ov ’he RaHwav and Tourist Depart briT'g : nv the to’al fo £5OO. Tlr •n tia V wou'd be snout on advertising -a -*l, n... ••—ntinns on Coast The meeting) decided ths 4- 'he completion of the Bul’er Gorge railway he submitted as n remit to the South Island conference of T,engue representatives to be held nt Christchurnh. No action was taken in regard to a request from the New Zealand Publicity Company asking that space bo. taken up in a booklet in tlm nature of a motorists’ guide to camping places. Messrs Enright and Brown reported in connection with the pakihi development scheme, and stn'tod that' the Unemployment Board would proceed with the work in the near future. Arising nut of r com plainl from motor service companies regarding stray cattle, it was decided to ask the Public Works Department to take action iwith a view to removing the menace to traffic. It was decided fh.at the League As Rafway Committee prepare and submit representations to the Railway D ard to complete the Bu’loj- Gorge line. Basketball:

The following hn c ketb 11 fixtures AT GEANTTr. * p.m.: wrayrair vorca a. miss McGovern. 4 p.m.: State v. Torca A Mr Martin. AT WESTPORT. 4 p.m.: St. Andrew’s B v. St. Canice’s. Miss Rayner. <5.15 p.m.: Ranger B v. St. Alary’s A. Afr Hammond. fl p.m.: Tech. O.G. A v. St. Mary’s O.G. Afr Watson. 6.45 p.m.: Ranger A v. Tech. O.G. B. Alias Rayner. 7.15 p.m.: St. Andrew’* A v. Aotca. Air Hammond. The Torea v. St. Alary’s O.G. game will not be played to-day. Acclimatisation Society: The Bui’er Acclimatisation Society landed 100,000 brown eyed trout ovl from th© Canterbury Society in good order, and they wore placed yesterday in the Domain hatchery and shou"‘ be ready for liberation in about two months’ time. Shipping: The Ra'ta, Canopus, Kaimai. Alexnn der and Karepo all got away yesterday. The Kaitoa is due here to night from Wellington. The Titoki is due to-morrow and ’he Kanna on Saturday.

Morgan’s Picture!

WESTPORT. Paramount Pictures present Lee i'racy. He en Mack and Baby Le Ro> in the comedy-drama ”The Lemon Drop Kid,” a t the Theatre Roya’ tonight (Thurs.) and matinee to-day, 2.30. Adapted from Damon Runyan’s story of a racing man who went wrong trying to do the right thing. A delight/ ful comedy drama. Approved for universal exhibition. Excellent supports include News Reels, Screen Souvenirs, Betty Boop Cartoon, etc.. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. He led a double lif© by making love to one woman! And didn’t know that ‘his blonde by night and brunette by day were one and the same —his own wife. Franchot Tone, Constance liennett, Tul’io Carminati and Russ Colombo in “Aloii in Rouge’’ a 20th Century production at the Theatre Royal Friday, Saturday and ma’l’nee. Recommended by Censor for adults. Supports include a Mickey Atousc Cartoon, Organlogue, etc. The serial will be screened Friday night and matinee Saturday.