THE INGRATITUDE OF LABOUR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3410, 18 April 1898, Page 3

THE INGRATITUDE OF LABOUR.

TO THE EDITOR. Sie,—E very well-wisher of the artisans of this colony will regret that the advice tendered by you in respect to the position of the Labour Party has not had the desired effect. The Trades and Labour Parliament has just finished its session, the results of which are worse than nil, for they are actually mischievous. Take, for instance, their position in respect to the Legislative Council. They must know that that body threw out the Old Age Pensions Bill and the Master and Apprentice Bill. Yet they say, leave well alone. Logically this means they do not want Bills passed, or they want the Council to throw them out again. Then they say the Labour Party should be an independent party. By their own showing the party at the present time consists of two—-Mr Millar and Mr Hutcheson. If independent the Labour Party will be feared—in the sweet by-and-bye. The Council also forget that they are placing Messrs Millar and Hutcheson iu a false position. Both of these members have given election, pledges. Both have said that they will keep these during the term for which they have been elected. If they do not, let ns hope the Trades and Labour Council will not call upon them to resign. Again, one would expect that the secretary to a Trades and Labour Council would have posted himself up a little better on labour matters and the several measures passed by Parliament affecting the same. In his statement he says the Hon Mr Reeves passed the Coalmines Act, 1891, regulations for the (administrations of funds and moneys under section 69 of the Coal Mines Act, 1891, Servants’ Registry Act, the Shipping and Seamen’s Act, though the Acts referred to, with the exception ef the Workmen’s Lien Act and Employers’ Liability Act, were passed when Mr Seddon was Premier; and it is well known that he was the author of the Coal Mines Act, the Mining Act, the Servants’, Registry Act and the Shipping and Seamen’s Act. In 1886 Mr Seddon prevented the passing of the Conspiracy Act, introducedlatthe instigation of tho Union Steamship Company. Mr Vaney is also aware, or at least he should be, that since Mr Seddon has been Minister for Labour he has passed the following measures affecting labour: — The- Asiatics Restriction Act, Chinese Immigration Act, Factories Act Amendment Act, Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Act, Inspection of Machinery Act, Registration of People’s Claims Act, Shipping and Seamen’s Act Amendment Act, Shops and Shop-assistants Act. Trades Union Act Amendment Act, Sunday Labour in Mines Prevention Act. In addition, the Old Age Pensions Bill, the Master and Apprentice Bill, the Workmen’s Wages Bill, the Private Benefit Societies Prevention Bill were passed by the House of Representatives and rejected by the Council. Yet, if reported correctly, the secretary stated that since Mr Reeves went Home “ the only Labour measures he could find wera the Sunday Labour iu Mines Prevention Dill ond a Dill for the Promotion of Elementary and Technical Education,” Statements of this kind will render it necessary for future Councils to appoint a committee of inquiry—that is if they want to oome to a decision upon facts.'Again, as to increasing factory inspectors’ salaries, a glance at the Supplementary Estimates will show Mr Vaney that increases were given last session. Verily, Mr Tregear and the inspectors might exclaim, " Save us from our friends,”

Daylight requires to be let into tho proceedings of this so-called Trades and Labour Conference. It is well known that the majority of the delegates were prohibitionists, and as such are opposed to the Premier. Several were Tommy Taylorites. Mr Fawcus throw up a Government billet to stand as a candidate for an Auckland seat, but was rejected by the labour organisations there, a.nd without rhyme or reason he blames the Premier for his rejection. The president of the Council deserves every credit for his manly, outspoken re? marks, which truly reflect the opinion of thq intelligent and grateful portion of th,e artisans of the colony. It is well known that fully one-half of the unionists refused to join the Trades and Labour Council, and the ill-considered action now taken will widen the gap. This is to b,e yogretted, for all weR-wishera of the working-classes Would have preferred to have seen complete unionism. Evidently the refusal of the majority of the organisation in Wellington 'to select Mr McLaren ag a candidate at the last by-election is gall [and Wormwood, and doubtless had its effect on the Conference. The attempt to separate the Labour Party from the Liberal Party and the refusal to meet the Industrial Association are monuments of crass stupidity and mark thie majority of the delegates attend* ing the Conference as being enemies rather than benefactors of labour. —I am, etc., Anti-Rodents. [For remainder of correspondence ' see fourth page. ]