KNIGHTS OF LABOUR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 9173, 5 August 1890, Page 3

KNIGHTS OF LABOUR.

The following letter, addressed to Mr W. T. Gale, of this city, will be found to give information of much general int6r6&t “ Philadelphia, May 28, 1890. “ Dear Sir and Brother,—l am pleased to welcome your L. A. into our Order, and I trust that it will be the forerunner of many more. For your information I would say that in addition to the three assemblies that are now wording in New, Zealand, our Order has extended to Great Britain and Ireland, France,- Belgium, Germany and Australia, and we are continually receiving enquiries from other parts. The law is against us in France and Germany, or we would by this time have been* very a-.rong in these countries. Bro Lyght i» fo med me that our name has been brought in disrepute already in your city. I hope you will be on your guard, and put none but true men in office, as on that will chiefly depend the success of your Assembly. I presume you will be able to get into communication with the other two Assemblies. The one in Auckland has already over five hundred members ; In fact, if their anticipations were realised they have by tbis time nearly reached one thousand. Our watchwords are * Educate, agitate, and organise/ but while we are anxious to organise as much as possible, great care should be taken as to who are admitted. Three years ago we had over 700,000 members; to-day we have between 300,000 and 400,000, but we claim that we are more influential to-day than ever we have been. A wave of organisation struck this country, and the Assemblies could not keep clear of the riff-raff element which came in more for curiosity than to work for our principles, and we are better without them than with them. We believe we have a bright future before ua, but there is a terrible sight of work to be done before we teach our goal. Many of the objects we are striving for here you have, I believe, got; but without doubt you have sufficient to work for. The journal will be sent you regularly which will keep you well posted of what we, are doing. Assuring you of my best wishes for the welfare of your Assembly, and wishing you every success, —I remain, yours fraternally, “ John W. Hates, G.S.T.”