NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8186, 30 July 1912, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Arrangements were completed by the Invercargill Housewives' Union for supplying coal to members at a reduction of from 4s to He per ton, but they were unfortunately prevented from doing so by the Nightcaps Coal Company. The committee, however, are not disheartened by the company’s refusal, and have made representations in other directions with the result that a tentative offer has been made to supply coal of equally good quality at a cheaper rate than under the original arrangement. The offer, however, was held over until the result of tho motion standing in the town council order-paper regarding a municipal ooal depot was known. • - • • •

The Union has been more successful in this direction f and has entered into an agreement with Messrs Gibb Bros., of Clifton, to supply milk to members at 3d per quart. The arrangement has now been in existence since June Ist, and it is gratifying to note that no complaints have been made although over sixty members are now taking advantage of the supply.

• « • • • Ofiers have been made to supply members of the Union at Id per lb reduction in almost all cuts of beef and mutton. These are under consideration by the committee. Union members are being supplied direct with ham and bacon ait considerably lower rates.

The Union is mow affiliated with the United Labor Party and has become an integral part of the great organisation of Labor unified by Professor Mills. Three delegates have been appointed to represent the Union on the District Council of the U.L.P.

Representations have been made to the Health Inspector and to the Department at Wellington regarding the heating of workrooms and offices, and the proper ventilation of same, and many abuses have been corrected as a consequence. • • • • The membership of the Union is now 106. • • • • • The citizen army should include every man in his country. And each should be so trained that any one, as any five, could take up bis place and his work at any place' or part of his country, wherever he might be. A man who can march beautifully in the streets, and knows east and west in the city, may be no earthly good up, at Whangamomona. Citizen armies are not para-

sitio. They plough and sow even if others should reap; and they grow the wheat that feeds themselves, and the wool that pays tho taxes, defence costs, and war leaves.

The Flaxmill Employees’ Union of Manawatu has decided to take a ballot, oa tho proposal to withdraw from the Federation, of Labor, on tho first week in September when the mills aro working. Mr Mills spent this week-end at New Plymouth. Ho spoke to tho local school teachers on Saturday morning and a group of fanners in the afternoon, arousing enthusiasm on each occasion. Last evening ho spoke to a big public meeting.