STOCKTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 23 May 1942, Page 7

STOCKTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent).

At a special general meeting of the Stockton Sick Fund, Mr H. McEwen was voted to tne chair, in the absence of Mr J. Lavery. Messrs C. Steele and D. Rees contested the secretaryship, the former being elected. Mr H. L. Evans was elected President and McEwen, Sherran, Rees and Morgan trustees and committeemen. A proposition to have one banking system instead of two was disposed 01, and, in future, the whole of the funds will be deposited in the Bank of New Zealand. Discussion took place on the scale of benefits, both from the Social Security and the local point of view. The secretary was instructed to apply for a new schedule of Social Security payments and also to deal with other aspects of proposals placed before the meeting by various speakers. As Sunday last was a dav of meetings, it was decided .to' hold the Ambulance Class at 10.30 a.m., instead of in the afternoon. Messrs J. Millard and Mr McFarlane were in attendance as instructors.

A special general meeting of the Ngakawau Miners' Union was held in the Stockton Hall at 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, Mr F. Connew presiding, to hear the report of the Buller delegate to the National. Council of the United Mine Workers on conferences held .in Wellington, re. the mine workers’ agreement, and the Federation of Labour’s deliberations. Mr A. Hunter was present to report on the Labour Party Annual Conference. The Buller delegate, Mr T. Muir, stated that he was no longer contesting the position he now held. He said that the coal owners had outlined a programme to govern the working conditions of mine workers which-one could only class as retrograde. However, something oetter than the owners’ proposals was obtained. In his report on the conference of the Federation of Labour, the speaker dealt with the strike at Hellaby’s, compensation, industrial diseases, and other matters. A question to the speaker re. the workers being debarred from suing for damages when compensation had been accepted, was answered to the effect that there is a difference of opinion in the legal world as to the rights or otherwise of the workers to maintain an action for damages if compensation has been paid by the companies. The National Secretary was making inquiries into the position and the branches would receive further instructions at an early date. A vote of thanks to the speaker was carried unanimously. Mr Hunter, in his report on the annual conference of the Labour Party dealt with the question of attacks by the Chambers of Commerce and other organisations on the workers. He said it invariably happened that people who performed no useful work ■ for society condemned those whose whole life was made up of sweat and toil. There was a discussion re. the old age pensioners at the conference. No doubt, said the speakers, ‘‘many are having a very severe struggle to exist since tae war begun.’ There was criticism of the Government re. the appointment of ex-Tory Members of Parliament to Government positions. Quite an interesting volume could be compiled as to requests for help from the Labour Government, and the , workers were asking the question: “If we put them out through the front door, why does the Government bring them in through the back entrance?” The speaker also uealt with the administration of the social Security benefits and pointed out that if the scheme were to be a success, then there must be established medical colleges where the sons of the workers could get an opportunity to become medical practitioners, irrespective of whether ineii parents could find the necessar. money or not. The speaker answered several questions and one oi the longest meetings held for some tune terminated at 5 -40 P - - ... Mrs A. Taylor of Seddonville with her young son, is spending a holiday with her parents, Mr and Mrs A. MeGroffor. Mrs L. Morganty of Wes tP? rt, 1 ,2 r spending a short holiday with he father, Mr E. Berdinner, senr Mrs L. Harris has returned after spending a month on holiday with her parents at Whangarei. Miss J. McGregor has returned after completing a course of y.A.u. training at the Buller Hospital. Mrs L. Clarke and family of West port returned home at the week-end after spending a short holiday witf Mr and Mrs J l . Lavery.>