TAILORESSES' 'SOCIAL.'

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1106, 12 May 1893, Page 42

TAILORESSES' 'SOCIAL.'

Thomas' Hall was very extensively patronised on Monday on the occasion of tho first quarterly 'social' under the auspices of the Wellington Tailoreases' Union, and the gathering may be justly termed a splendid aucces". Amongst those present were a number of thoso recognised as leading spirits in the cauße of Trades Unionism, notably, the Hon John Rlffg, Messrs Andrew Collins, R. P. Johnson »nd Allan Ward. An excellent programme of songs, recitations, &c. had been prepared, and filled in very pleasantly the breaks between tho dances. At the opening of the proceedings the Hon Mr Rigg, president of the union, delivered a short address, in the course of whioh he said that as delivering addresses on such occasions was customary, he owed no apology, as president, for bis doing so. The objects of the gatherings were to get together the tailoreases of the city, to raise o more social feeling one with the other, and by this means make the union popular. In this latter expectation

they had not been so successful ks in the other oHjeots, but they had hopea of success. Considering the disorganisation that existed in tho tailoring trade, and tho sweating that goes on, they would agree with j him that thoso who kept aloof were guilty | of insensibility, not to say stupidity. In Wellington there were worries employed to make trousers at 9d a pair, aud, as three pairs a d-y was fair work, , it would bo seen that their average | earnings amounted to 13s on. He hoped there were not many in the hall who were paid so low as that—in fact, there could not be, aait would bo impossible for them to take part iu this ' social' if were only earning this small <vage. It wa3 the duty of all unionists to bettor tho condition of those less fortunate thsn themsolves—in fact, this was tho main object of unionism. We had in force in this Colony one of the best Factory Acts in the world, whioh, he was sorry to say, was being evaded. If those working in the shops would join tho union and bring this under tho notioo o( the authorities, it could be stopped. It was necessary, in order to take advantage of the Aor, that it should be baoked up by vigilance, otherwise it could be of no übb. Apart from the Act much good ciuld be done if all would join the union, for even if they took no active part in its affaira they could assist others and so do permanent good, and then tho Act would ba beneficial to themselves and also to those employers who work in a legitimate manner. Mr Rigg resumed his seat amidst applause, The music for the dancing was provided by Mr Gardner, who was assisted by MrE. J. King, jun., and gave every 3r.tisfictios. Mr R. P. Johnnon was übiqitou3 ao M.C. 'I hose who contributed vocal eolcclioua wore Miss Danlells, Mrs Taylor, aud Mesora j Johnson, Baker, Glover, Connor and Illing' worth. Mr Gardner gave a pianoforte solo aacl Mr E&le a recitation,' I