WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10751, 12 May 1898, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[Br telegraph—own correspondent,] . • Wellington, .Wednesday, • I 1 DOMESTIC. SERVANTS' UNION. v - ; j Some time since I telegraphed to you that! under the auspices of certain ladies of the advanced women's movement, it was resolved to establish a union for the emancipation of domestic servants. I know nothing of the details, as nothing but the bare fact Jas announced. I■; made some inquiries,? but could not obtain further information. >v I could not help thinking the proposal was an absurdity. What is to be a woman's day's wage if she holds her situation by the year? Where does piece work come in? Where is the. subject matter for Conciliation Boards and Arbitration Courts—unless lit be the number of Sundays out in the year? But the idea has reappeared in a form not expected. The Government appears to have taken the matter in hand if the following allegations have any basis in fact, , A lady who takes a great interest in this matter attended one of the meetings, but she was told by a lady who was in charge that she must withdraw, and that she could not be permitted to remain during the proceedings. This lady in charge, I understand,' is a Government officer in the Labour Department. I have these allegations of fact from a source which cannot either exaggerate or knowingly falsify. The key to the affair appears to be that the Government, by its officers, are organising the domestic servants. The object seems to be to manufacture a strong vote of a class character out of the domestic servant element to be used at the next general election.

THE I'RE-SESSIONAL CAMPAIGN. Mr. Geo. Hutchison, MH.R., has returned to Wellington after meeting his constituents, I learn that he has had a pleasant time of it. He drew up a strong indictment against the Government at Waverley, where ho addressed the electors on Saturday last, and at Patea, whore lie spoke on Monday. He was loudly applauded on both occasions. Mr. Hutchison appears to object to a vote of confidence on such occasions as being without meaning, but he received a unanimous vote of thanks from the electors. He speaks at Waitotara towards the end of the month. PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS. Up to Monday the weather had been fine, and some 14 men wero engaged on the now additions to Parliamentary Buildings, but during the last two days the downpour of rain lias been incessant. The rain last night, accompanied by thunder and lightning, was phenomenal, and it is bitterly cold to-day. The workmen have taken shelter in the long lobby.