LABOUR OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT BILLETS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14441, 6 February 1909, Page 6

LABOUR OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT BILLETS.

Till'] REWARD OK TIIK AGITATOR. (Frou Our Own Correspondent.) WHLUXGTOX, February 5. Reiontly some pi'imiinent Labour union ndieials have been given Government billets. It may generally be supposed that when euc'h men enter the liovernnient, service they drop their coirneetion with militant Labour, hut. such is evidently not. the ease, as appears from an amusing debate that took place at- last night's meeting of the Trades and Labour Council. One of the members, Mr Conchie, moved —" That, owing to the continued number of men holding prominent, positions in the Trades Councils of the Dominion accepting Government positions, this council is of opinion that it is inimical to the bwt interests of organised Labour." In the course of bis speech, lie said a man had once remarked to him that at a Labour Conference lie could always pick the man who was going to be the next Government appointee. He noticed that the men appointed were always those who tool; particular care not to offend the Government. The practice was for the Government to select these men, and to e;ty to Labour: "See what wo have done for you." Mr Collins said the mover of the motion had himself applied for a Government billet as waflolding inspector, but had not. got it. Mr W. T. Young (Seamen's Union) said all the Labom .legislation on the statutes emanated from Labour, n.nd it was best, that, they should have their own man to administer Mint legislation. If they had to go to the other side for administrators they would l>e " licked " every time. The motion was lost by 18 votes to 5. More than one man in Government employ took part in the discission.