THE LATE LABOUR CONFERENCE AT BERLIN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2796, 14 June 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE LATE LABOUR CONFERENCE AT BERLIN.

(from our owjt correspondent). Paris, March 15. The French will bo formidably represented at the Berlin Labour Conference. Five delegates with their seoretaries, and as many specialists in the shade to advise. The figure-head of the delegation will be Senator Jules Simon, an exPrime Minister, Secretary to the French Academy ; a fluent and polished orator, and an omni-litte'rateur. Ho has identified himself with the philantrophic, the theoretical side of the workingman's condition ; was even a member of the once famous "International," and his membership number was "666," an odd relevancy that the French did not perceive, the fault of limited Biblical knowledge. M. Simon has never propounded any practical solution for any of the intricate labour problems. He has spoken eloquently and written gracefully—bo*, all words, words, words, as the ouvr'wrs soon found out; heuce, why they pigeonholed him. M. Simon is not a Jew, as is commonly supposed; but his circle is Israelitish. It was predicted he would die—he is now 76—a cardinal, so mellifluous is his speech, so unctuous his manners. He is a deist, tempered with materialism. Senator Tolain is a stonecutter by trade ; he was a power in his hammer and chisel days, but since he has dropped into the curule chair, ho has lost his grip on the working classes, he is no longer in touch with them, and has parted with his popularity, having drifted into pure politics. He is a Socialist of the emasculated order. The grit delegates are : Deputy Burdeau, of Lyons, an 1890 posito - Socialist ; M. Linder, inspector general of mines, an official, and so handicapped ; and M. Pelahaye, an engine-driver. These three official delegates are not men of phrases, but of action, and are well posted in all that is out of point in the wage-earning clashes. Burdean and Delahaye, will will leave their mark at the Congreso, and if Emperor William means business, they will indicate the way he should go. They are eight hourists and profit-sharingisU. But they do not advocate the placing of all capital, of all individualism, all talent, into a ooramon pot, and ladling out the nlla podrida, to the items of humanity at large, They do not view omploycrs exactly aa pigeons te be plucked, but they expect them to display justice in the pocketing of the fat profits their workmen earn for them; and that their duty is not finished, after the signed pay sheet is in their pocket. The oitvrier is not t'o be the object of any patronizingsympathy on the part of his employer ; nor to be doled out sentimental gratuities to supplement fixed salaviog. He is to be secured, by justice, a righteous wage, that will enable him to support himself and his family, relatively as comfortable, as his employer, having tho means to provide against sickness, and to make provision for decayed ago. Deputy Lain , delivered a lecture before a crowded audience, to protest against France being represented at tho Berlin Conference. He declared, that was an act of servility, to Germany and an affront to "our natural ally, Russia." There was only one manner for France to go to Berlin—with rifle on shoulder. Bismarck refused to participate in the ISB9 Exhibition, why then ought France to trot to his; International ? M. Laur is a Boulangist, a Stojoker antesemitie, and a believer in the immediate future of the European Republic. At the conclusion of his speech, he called for a cheer for " Germany." This produced consternation. " It is Russia I mean."