WAIHI MINERS' UNION

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume VII, Issue 2051, 24 September 1907, Page 2

WAIHI MINERS' UNION

Presentations to the Ex-President

Address and Purse of Sovereigns

Interesting Speeches

Last evening, at the Minors' Union Hall, a pleasing function tool; place, when Mr. John Newtli, ex-president of the Wailii Miners's Union, was presented with a beautifully illuminated address and n purse of sovereigns, oil behalf of tho members of tho union, as an acknowledgement of tho excellent services rendered to that body by the recipient whilst holding the office of president, during ut term of five years.

Mr. 11. T. Armstrong, president of ;he union, was in the. chair, and there ivcre also present Mr. 1). Johnston [vice-president), J. J. Scanlon (secretary), the. Union management committee, and a number of members and tlieii lady friendi-.

In opening tho proceedings Mr. Armstrong read a wire from Mr. W. H. Merries, M,11,11, member for tho district, expressing his regret, at not being able, to be present to make the presentation, and affirming the high opinion in which the ex-president was lieli by him and the Union members generally.

Mr. Armstrong, in making the presentation of the address, said thai he had been called upon to discharge a very pleasing jluty that evening, in making a presentation to_Mr.. Newth, their ex-president, as a slight acknowledgement of the many services he had rendered to the union.. At the time when Mr. Newth first took office the union was a branch of the Thames Miners' Union, but considering it to be in the best interests of the local miners, steps were taken to make the Wailii branch an independent body. Mr. Newth was elected lirst president of that body. The union, when first formed, had only a membership of 400, and Mr, Newth, by his devotion and hard work on behalf of his fellow-workers, had increased that number to 1200— (applause)—ami had vacated the office leaving the union the largest labour organisation in the cplony. (Applause.) At the time when Mi. Newth had first taken office, the union was practically bankrupt, and he had taken on a debt of £llOO in connection with the completion of the buildings, etc. That was considered a rash step, lmt he was pleased to say that Mr, Newth had left the financial position on a sound basis, and over £'9oo of that amount had since been paid. (Applause.) A great deal of the success which had attended the union was undoubtedly dun to their retiring president, and nothing had been a trouble to liini where union matters were concerned. He was a man who always did his best for others, and one of the very few who would not give selfinterest a moment's consideration when the public interests were at stake. (Applause.) Ho bad therefore much pleasure, on behalf of the members of the "Wailii Miners' Union in presenting the address, not for its intrinsic value, but us. a mark of recognition of Hie valuable services rendered bv Mr. Newth on the occasion of his retirement from office. In handing over the address he wished Mr. Newth and family all health and prosperity in the future. (Applause.) THE ADIHIF.SB. The following,is tlio text of the address : "To John, Newth, Esij., lirst president of the Wailii Miners' ami Workers' Union.—Dear sir,—We, the undersigned, representing one thousand two hundred miners and workers in the Waihi mining district, beg to lender to you our _ very Jiigh appreciation of your 'sterling amiable qualities as a unionist and a citizen during your five years' presidency of this organisation. We are quite alive to the fact that live years ago when you look office the financial aspect- of affairs was anything but assuring, and to your credit be it said, that after being the chosen of the members on five consecutive occasions, you can now point to the fact- that you have been mainly instrumental, not' only in placing the union on a sound financial basis, but also in placing it in (ho proud position of being the largest trade union in the Dominion. To your indomitable »!, honesty of purpose, and the consequent confidence of all fellow workers has been due the present position. Not only as president of the union have we to record our admiration of your valuable labours, but as member of the llorough Council you have always been found in the forefront of progress, right, and justice to one and all. As a private citizen, it will suffice to say that you, have deservedly gained the confidence of all! with whom you have come in contact, as has been amply proved at- the ballot-box on several occasions. We ernes! ly I rust Hint- your well-deserved rest will prove beneficial to you, and that your future will be free, happy, ami prosperous." Here follow the signatures of the president, 11. T. Armstrong; vice-presi-dent, I). Johnston: treasurer, W. 11, Morton; secretary, J. J. Soaiilon; also those of the trustees, chairman, and secretary of the Waikino branch of the union, and the Waihi management committee.

The address, which is an illuminated (mi!, is bountifully executed in .scrollwork- and colours, including the hands of friendship, emblematic of the union, and is the work of iJi.-s Jlaribcl Lawlor, Wnilii. Mil. NEWTII's HLI'I.Y. .Mr. Ncwtli replied in a feeling manner. He said that where a man was expected to speak, a kindness .should not bo done to him, He had only curried out his duties as president of the Union, ami the present occasion would always help to remind liini of the interesting hours which ho had spent in the work ol tho Union, especially of the stubborn debates which had at times taken place in committee, lie thought that these dchilc:; proved beneficial to all concerned. for they brought out the true spirit of n man, and bore good results. He Irul vacated ollice with a certain amount of regret, because the Union had always been bis lirst thought, and also the thought of his family. Ho would always cherish the address, and it. should ho handed down to his family alter him. Jli! I hanked them all most heartily for their kindness. (Applause).

riIESKNTATION 01' l'l'llSH. The vice-pre.-idenl of the Union, Mr. D. Johnston, I lion presented Mr. Noivtli with a purse of sovereigns, on behalf of I hi 1 members, .lie said that ho had much pleasure In carrying out- his duly in that respect, lie, the speaker, had bntn connected with llio Union some two years, and had found their ex-prcsi-donl to ho a straight-out,.honest man,

and not easi.!y swayed, lie wib a hard men to beat at I ho ballot-box, whether it was in connection with the. Union or the Borough Council, That went to prove, more than mere_ talking, the respect and high estimation in which he war, held by all. (Applause). No man, ho contended, received such recognition at the hands of the general public except lie fully merited it. (Applause), lie pointed out that (hero were I wo ways to make a presentation, either inn half-hearted manner, or in a thoroughly whole-hearted manner. On the present OLcasion they fell that Mr. Xewlli had done his very best, and considered they wcit in honour bound to recognise it. lie Mr. Xewlli, had made llio business of the Union his own business, and had attended to it in n thorough manner, am! never complained. Mr, Johnston then handed the purse ovev to Mr. 'Xewlli, wishing him a dong life and continued respect. Mr. Newlli, in receiving the purse, said that he would accept it in the true and manly spij'it in which it had been given. (Applause,)- -i The loimil 1 .proceedings then ier-

initiated, and tho hall was cleared for dancing, and a most enjoyablo evening was spent by all present.