FROM PIT-BOY TO M.P.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8366, 28 February 1913, Page 10

FROM PIT-BOY TO M.P.

LONDON, January 19. The death has occurred of Mr Thomas Glover, the well-known miners’ leader and late M.P. for St. Helens. The announcement will come as a shock to those who had learned to appreciate bis fine personal character and strenuous labour and self-sacrifice on behalf of the class whom he represented and to whom he belonged. Few men could advocate the cause of the miner with more knowledge and practical experience. Born at Prescot in 1852, he was brought as an infant to St. Helens, and as a child of nine years, worked in the pit as a door tenter. He went through all the rough work of the pits to the ‘fully qualified post of miner at tho coal face. He began with an earnest practicality to organise the miners; and at the age of sixteen found himself secretary of the Blackbrook, branch of the old National Union, crippled and broken after a disastrous strike. In 1880 he started the St. Helens district branch of the Miners’ Association, and was one of the active founders of the Miners’ Federation in 1882. In 1884 he was miners.’ agent for tho St. Helens district, and later agent for South-West Lancashire. Ho had been treasurer of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’ Federation since 1905. and throughout his career threw himself into his work with a persevering sincerity that won him the highest resnect and apnreoiation. He took a practical naH m the public life of St. Helens, was a member*? the Board of Guardians, and a Justice of the Peace for the borough, and, was held in esteem and affection throughout the district. His personal popularity was illustrated at the general election of 1906, when in the Labour interests he won the seat by a majority, of over 1400. In January, 1910, he succeeded in holding the seat with a reduced majority 'against Mr Rigby Swift, but at the general election in December of the same year success was with his opponent and he lost the seat, * The funeral at St. Helens of Mr Thomas Glover, ex-M.P. for the borough, was the occasion of a remarkable demonstration of regard. Notwithstanding the inclement weather there was a Targe attendance. Mr R. Smillie, president of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, was present, with Mr S. Walsh, M.P., and Mr T. Greenhall, president, and Mr T. Ashton, secretary of the Lancashire and Cheshire Federation. Miners’ lodges all over the district were represented. Mr J. Robertson attended on behalf of the Scottish Miners’ Federation, and Mr J. A. Seddon on that of the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress. The Mayor (Mr Crooks) and the borough and county magistrates and representatives of local Labour clubs were also present.