TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 590, 15 December 1908, Page 7

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL

THE LYTTELTON CASUALTY WARD. FREE SCHOOL BOOKS FOR CHILDREN. Press Association. Chrishchuroh, Y'esterday. The Trades and Labour Council on Saturday night passed resolutions to the following effect :— "That the so-called improvements to the Lyttelton casualty ward which the Hospital Board have decided to make, will be quite useless to meet the requirements of the port. What is required is a *jew building with all tho latest appliances necessary to deal with any case of accident, and which would enable everything to be done to reduce tho sufferings of those who may require it; That tho Government be congratulated on practically giving effect to a step that will find favour with the majority of workers, v.'z., free school books for the children of the Dominion, and tlw Council urges the Government to extend the principle at the earliest possible moment, and are further of opinion that the Education Boards which have intimated thoir opposition to the principle are singularly out of touch with public opinion, and that; the time has arrived when it ia imperative that thoco Boards should be elected by the people directly." The Ccun il is of opinion that the statement made to the effect that plenty of money is available for the children when a n: itter of pleasure is involved, is simply prevaricating, for the reason tho children aro sent home and st:ite that the teachers said they were to bring so much money for such-and-such purposes, and that parents, not to have childeu spoken of by those more fortunate, comply, so that that should not happen. For that reason and others the Council aro of opinion that the time lias arrived when it is incumbent on those in authority to see that no child is asked to contribute money for any purpose whatsoever, with the exception of an award fete.