PRESENTATION' TO MR ANDREW COLLINS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3003, 15 December 1896, Page 2

PRESENTATION' TO MR ANDREW COLLINS.

One of the ihost pleasant of functions was taken advantage of last evening by tho Eight Hours Committee to pay n special mark of their esteem to a very prominent worker in tho eight hours movement in this city, Mr Andrew Collins. Tho members of the committee, with their patron, the Hon Mr Scddon, assembled round an amply • filled board supplied by Hostess Ormsboo, of the Oriental Hotel., The toastmaster was the president of the committee, Mr T. Brooker, and tho guest of tho evening sat with him at tho head of the table, together with tho Hon tho Premier and tho Hon J. Rigg, M.L.C. A long list of toasts was gone through, including tho usual loyal ones. . Of course the chief event of tho evening

was the presentation, which took the form of a handsome gold albert and looket. Mr Brooker, in making the presentation, stated that tho committee felt it a happy function to have Mr Collins with thorn, and so enable them to give this small token that they appreciated a worker like Mr Collins. Mr Collins made a very hearty and feeling reply, referring to tho progress made by the eight hours movement in Wellington and how well the committee had, worked together. Xu reply to the toast of “Tho Legislatures, the Hon the Premier congratulated the workers on their good taste in showing to Mr Collins that his efforts on their behalf wore appreciated. They wore assembled that night to do honour to whom honour was due. Referring to tbe toaster’s remarks in regard to tho workers continuing to fight for their interests after an election was over, ho said the great difficulty in the past had been that whenever a contest had b«ca fonght Workers had Como to the conclusion that nothing more Was to be done until tbe next elections. But they needed always to bo on tho watch. Those who Were against them were always on the alert to oppose their interests, although he agreed with the previous speaker that it was suicidal on tho part of the classes to oppose the progress of the workers. All tbe prophecies with regard to what would happen in the event of tod much liberty being granted to the workers had proved to bo witlioilt foundation. Tho workers must lobk to the Legislature ,to grant further refornis, and hi doing so, under present conditions, they Would bo looking to theniselvcs; In tho past the Uppor House, in keeping back progressive legislation, bad kept back the interests of the country; The Eight Hours * Bill which tho present .Government had sent to the Legislative Coiincil was a very reasonable measure, as it only dealt with those trades which practically enjoyed the eight hours system.. Ho assured them that the Government would again introduce the Bill, and pass it, and as ho had on every platform proclaimed the Government’s intention to do this, tho .Council could not constitutionally throw it out oh the ground that tho measure had not been endorsed by the people. If the Council refused to do justice to tho people, they must take stops to remedy the injustice. Ho hoped, should they get the Eight Hours Act placed ou tho Statute Book, they would not cease their annual demonstrations. The general elections had proved thac where the •filers were united they succeeded in returning men to represent their interests, but where, as in Dunedin, they had been rent by conflicting issues, they had failed to do so. On tbe conclusion of his address the Promior received an ovation.

The Hon J. Kigg, in replying to the same toast, said he hoped that if the Government increased the strength of the Council they would so© that Labour was represented in the new members

The toasts were interspersed with musical items, and a very pleasant evening came to a close at midnight with cheers for Mr Collins.