NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8192, 6 August 1912, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

The Wellington branch of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, at its monthly meeting, unanimously endorsed tho action of other branches by carrying the following resolution: —"That this meeting strongly disapproves of the importation of an expert for general manager of the New Zealand railways from outside the Dominion, such act being not in accord with the departmental statement that a smart wan can rise from tho ranks to the highest positions, and is not in keeping with the Classification Act of tho New Zealand railways.” Day .by day Labor is becoming more intelligent. So, X believe, tho employer is becoming more civilized, gradually becoming kinder; and many men ■ who have made large fortunes from the labor of their fellows have given of their, millions to what they regarded us objects of charity or for the interests of education. This is a kind of penance, because tho men who have made this money from tho •main ami muscle of their fellow men have ever felt that it was not quite their own. . . It would have been I think far better had they used this money to better the condition of the men who really i-re.oa it. —Robert lugersoll. There will never be a generation of free men until there has been a generation ut me women—ol free mothers. 'ihe tenderest word in our language is maternity. in this word is tne uivine mingling of ecstasy and agony, of love and self-sacrifice. The word is holy 1— Robert Lugersoll. A letter from a Dunedin driver asks what the position of the United Labor Party is on tho matter of bringing up the wages of the unskilled workers generally, but of drivers in particular.

It seems clear that the drivers are not paid in proportion to the value of the service rendered by them, as compared with skilled tradesmen.

There are two questions involved. The first is one of skill, and the other is one of responsibility. There are many trades in which an apprenticeship is necessaiy. The wages must be enough to secure that training. But the work of a driver, if he is a good one, also involves a knowledg eof horses, a real and genuine liking for horses, a skill in handling, and a knowledge of their care. Then there is the matter of responsibility. A driver is responsible for his outfit and for the goods ho handles. It is a rare thing that other workers carry a larger responsibility than the driver. In fact, no consideration is given, in the fixing of his wages, to these two which especially call for remuneration in any calling.

In Auckland recently the position was taken by an employer that, because a driver liked his horses he ought not to be, paid for the time devoted to their care. That is the one reason why he should be rewarded.

Robert Ganoway sails soon for Ceylon, where he gics on a special mission ; for the Housewives' Union of New Zealand. It is no small matter when this now union can arrange for a special trip on its own special behalf to the tea gardens direct in the interests of their organisation.

After Mr Mills’s meeting at Napier on Sunday night an intern.al meeting was held at wfiioh a number of misunderstandings were removed concerning the plans and organisation of the United Dabor Farty. The work will now be completed in Napier with spirited and cordial co-operation.