AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 22, 1 June 1910, Page 5

AUCKLAND.

Great United Mission. Last week saw the closing scene in the Great United Mission, when an extraordinary demonstration was witnessed at the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle, schoolroom, and social hall were packed, and a vast concourse waited in the street. During the service 500 converts marched past the platform, and shook hands with Dr. Henry. Later Dr. Henry left the building, and said a few farewell words to the waiting assembly outside. A little before nine o’clock the Central Mission Baud headed a procession of 4000 people, which accompanied the Mission party to the station, where the whole party joined in singing a hymn, and as the train steamed out hearty cheers were given. The work of the missioners in Auckland has been most successful, the meetings having attracted all classes of the community, and during ten days 1250 decisions have been received. The Labour Party. An arrival by the Main Trunk express on Friday was Mr. D. McLaren, M.P., for Wellington East, who for the last •three months has been engaged in organising work on behalf of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Speaking to a “Star” reporter on Friday, Mr. McLaren said that during that time he had been able to cover parts of the West Coast of the South Island, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, and also some parts of the North Island, and as a result of his tour he has gathered that Labour interests will make a decided move forward within the next 12 months. The replies that he has so far

received in respect to the federation ot labour give over ten to one of the labour bodies in favour of the scheme for the New Zealand Federation of Labour, and the creation of a distinct political labour party. •’From investigations made here.’* continued Mr. McLaren. ”1 find the labour movement in a much stronger position than ever it has been in the past. Of course personal differences exist amongst members, much as you find in all movements. It has amused me to read of the recent discussion in the Trades Council here as being of the nature of a split in the Labour party. It is fully recognised now, that no single community, or the Council of Labour in such community, represents the whole Labour party of New Zealand. When i was here at the end of January. 1 found that in the Trades Council a certain section had strong personal bias against Mr. Arthur Rosser, president, and I am positive th<U the recent occurrence on the Council amounted to nothing more than an ebullition of the same spirit, ami in no way indicated what the mind of organised labour is in regard to loyaity, either to the throne or constitution. The line.* I have taken in my organising work have been to appeal to the mass oi the people, as I consider that a national .Labour party must be representative of the whole mass of producers and not merely half of the section of the people. I find a growing disposition on the part of the labour bodies of the country to widen the scope of their operation, and enter into lines with any who are sound on labour principles, whether they are inside the Industrial Unions or not. One pleasing nature of the progress of our work is shown in this, that I am constantly receiving communications from people of all classes in the bark country towns and settlements. As an example, tt farmer writes me. urging the need for the creation of a New Zealand Working Settlers’ Association to act in co-opera-tion with the industrial workers of the cities.” The appeal for solidarity on the lincx of national federation is already Iwaring fruit, says Mr. McLaren, in bringing the labour bodies of the various provinces into more direct touch with each other, and he is urging upon the Executive the need for establishing campaign funds and sending out a number of organisers dur-ing-this next year, as lie ha< found that there is a very strong demand for organ isers throughout the country, in con elusion. Mr. McLaren says that he has received offers from a number of capable persons, and he expects that after the next meeting of the Trades and Labour Council's conference the party will be able to have several propagandas going, and that next general election a considerable number of distinct Labour <-a ndidates will enter the field. Fallen on Hard Times. A sensation was i • this morning when it became known that Mr Horace P. Huddlestono, aged about 40. at on* time secretary of the Auckland Stock Exchange, who has been on the Thames for some time, committed suicide.

Mr Fluddlostonc was residing at Mcfjeay’s boarding-house, lie <lid not appear lor breakfast, and at about 10 o’clock a shot was heard, followed by a heavy fall. The door, which was locked, was broken open, and Jluddlestone was found lying on the floor in bis pyjama*, shot through the heart. He had evidently held the revolver close to his body, for his pyjamas were burnt. The police were Kent for, but Huddlestone was dead before they arrived. It is believed that deceased was at one time worth a considerable sum, but latterly he had fallen on hard times. He was an inmate of the hospital some time back. He leaves a wife and one child. Prisoners as Fruitgrowers. Speaking at Whangarei on Friday, the Hon. Dr. Findlay (Minister of Justice) made Some interesting references to the question of prison reform, and some further amendments he intends asking Parliament to make to the scheme already in operation. The Minister said that when he entered the Ministry he ascertained that in New Zealand between 5000 and (>OOO persons went to gaol every year* as convicted criminals. On inquiry he found that 53 per cent of those sent to prison were previously convicted. This was only two per cent behind the number of prisoners sentenced annually in England with previous convictions to their credit. He thereupon propounded a scheme of prison reform, and nothing that had transpired in his private life had given greater pleasure than the results of that scheme. The prison system which until recently prevailed in New Zealand was that observed in England 40 years ago, and ho found that young men were sent to gaol and kept in their cells for 20 hours out of the 24. That he considered hardly the thing for a Christian people to countenance, and bo he stopped it and introduced a system of classification.. At Invercargill the old men undergoing sentences were employed as gardeners, and one man was producing as much as £7B worth of vegetables per year from an acre patch, while five others had between them raised and sold ■£3oo worth. likewise, on the tree planting stations, the men were earning money for their families, and were actually asking permission to work overtime. He had been approached by the parents of one youth so employed, asking that their son might bo detained at the tree planting station for a further period, as the enforced employment had done him so much good. The question of a post prison system was important, and ho intended asking Parliament to sanction one. On these tree planting stations something like ten million trees had been planted, and seventy years hence they would be fit for use for timber purposes. The question arose, however, as to whether prison labour could not be employed to even better advantage by planting to even better advantage by planting fruit trees instead of pine trees, and so establishing orchards instead of forests in such a district as that of north of Auckland. He believed it would be a splendid thing to establish, ami he intended bringing the matter before Parliament next session. Farmers’ Conference. Tlie Auckland provincial branch of the New Zealand Fanners’ Conference sat on Thursday and Friday, ami discussed many matters of vital interest to members. As the outcome of a discussion on trade and taxation, a resolution was carried, with only one dissentient voice: 44 That Customs taxation be imposed for revenue purposes only.” Resolutions were also adopted, affirming that a Farmers’ parly should be formed t<> look after the interests of the fraternity in the matter of legislation, and favouring the establishment of a mutual lire association for the Auckland province. A special committee was appointed to draw up a report on the subject of co-operation amongst at the earliest opportunity, and submit the same to the various branches. Labour s Loyalty. Some sensation was caused on ’Thursday when it was reported that the Auckland Trades and Labour Council had taken exception to the action of its president (Mr. Arthur Rosser) in sending a telegram to the Prime Minister, expressing, on behalf of the Dominion Executive of the Trades and Labour Council, deep sympathy on the loss to the Empire by tin* death of King Edward. “As Prince,” '(the telegram ran)” he took an active

interest in the housing of the poor in London; as King he was essentially a peacemaker. May his successor follow in his footsteps.” The President was severely criticised for sending the telegram without consulting the executive. There were thirty-four members present, and a motion was moved asking Mr. Rosser to resign his position as President of the Dominion Executive. The voting was 17 each way. Mr. Rosser took the only course open to him by using his own easting vote to carry the motion, thus expediting the decision of the Council to inliict punishment on him for a thoroughly commendable action. A temporary chairman having been appointed, a resolution censuring .Mr. Rosser for his action in sending the telegram was moved and carried by a small majority. Since the meeting much indignation has been expressed in Labour circles at the action taken, and the only defence made is that it was regarded rather as an attack upon Mr. Rosser personally than an expression of disloyalty. Armed Burglar. A smart capture of an armed burglar was made by Mr. William J. Mains at Remuera on Sunday evening. Sir. Mains discovered the presence of the stranger, waited for him at the only exit from the grounds, and as he was leaving, pounced upon him, threw him on the ground, and held him until he was handed over to the police. When Mr. Mains sprang upon the burglar the collision knocked a loaded revolver out of the man’s hand, and the burglar congratulated . his assailant on not having got “a bit of lead inside him.” The visitor proved to be a man named Frederick Kearney, over 40 years of age, and evidently no tyro at the illegal industry, for he had in his possession a complete kit of burglarious tools. Fourteen Years an* a Flogging. At the Supreme Court at Auckland on Thursday, before Mr. Justice Chapman, Wm. .John Frederick Moore, the young man who pleaded guilty the previous day to an indictment charging bim with committing a grave offence on a schoolgirl at Warkworth, was placed in the dock for sentence. His Honor said the circumstances attending the crime showed a degree of brutality seldom heard of in the annals of judicial administration. lie sentenced prisonci’ to 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labour, ami ordered that he receive two floggings each of 20 strokes. But What's the Use T James Stirton, ex-champioQ piano player, has broken the world’s record for piano-playing endurance, finishing at Waihi on Friday night. He played continuously for 4»2 Imurs ten minutes, which is five minutes ahead of the record. New Telegraph Form. Commercial men speak highly and unqualifiedly of the improved delivery form adopted by the Telegraph Department. Prompt delivery and minimising of mistakes are regarded as the principal advantages. Tl>e new form has three advantages. Tim greatest is accuracy in addressing, next comes saving of labour, and, finally, saving of stationery. The telegram received by an operator under the new