HUH AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 806, 2 May 1910, Page 9

HUH AND PETONE NEWS.

(From Our Special OorresDondenL) I—-—_ Mr. D. M'Laren's address on trado Uliioli federation was verj; well attondod. Sir. J. W. M'Ewan was in tho chair, nnd introduced tho speaker briefly. Mr. M'Laren, 'who was applauded on rising, said ho wished to havo a .talk on matters that interested; them very milch. Ho spoko of the position in Australia regarding politics and labour. He said ho was presenting the claims and--needs of Labour to workers throughout the Dominion. He did not care whether tho audiences wero small i«r large. His father was a pioneer of Australia, had had a hard life, but that was no disgrace. Ho himself had also u hard battlo ■ beforo him —that of Organising for tho Trades and Labour Council. Ho.was not doing it for a billet; ho wished to niako that Wear at. tho outset. Tho speaker dealt with trado disputes aiid tho Employers' Federation, Ho did not blanin t-lio employers for .forming a federation—lar from it. But tho workers should form ft Now Zealand federation like tho employers. (Applause.) Thero should bo tnoro practico and less theory among Workers. iA fmv rowdy individuals hero interrupted, but Sir. Sl'Laren said ho did not wish to forco anyone to his belief; ho wished to explain and leave it to them to think it out. People thought funny tilings about Labour. Some thought tho Labour movement meant that wage-earners combined to get 2d. or 3d. an hour more. But tho movemont ho was representing aimed for tho amalgamation of tho workers with a view to getting a share of the wealth that they had created. (Applause.) Competition in industry was beiiig crushed out by trusts and combines. He pointed out tho objccts of tho Now Zealand Federation. There wero some classes of labour, siich as tho clerks, which wero not organised; but ' this movement was endeavouring to bring in all. He noticed that Sir Joseph Ward— (uproar)—had said in Australia that'tho depression was not felt in Now Zealand. (Cries of "Yes" and "No," and uproar.) Although ho was a Socialist ho was not a revolutionist. Ho quoted an authority to tho effect that olio income ho know of was equal to that of 250,000 workers. (Tho chairman hero threatened to havo one person removed if ho would not be quiet.) He know that Anarchism had crept into Socialism, and lid very much regretted it. (Hear hear.) Ho urged the workors to federate for their own interests and that of their wives and families. He condemned tho Conciliation Act, for where a firm could lock out 1000 men and bo fined tho maximum £500, at the samo timo IGOO men could bo fined £10 each) totalling £16,000. . "Can you account for tho gain in Australia in Labour circles?" Sir. Sl'Laren said it had been nothing but hard fighting. This did not appear to satisfy tho inquirer, but ho was quietened and resumed his seat. Other questions wore asked, and a voto of thanks concluded tho meeting. l'lio Petono ambulancc wagon fund now stands at £106, and as there is still £50 more to bo collected beforo tiio wagon can be procured, the* secretin v (Mr. W. G. 1). Evans, Ilutt Road) wishes all those willing to assist financially to communicate with him at onco. All Friendly Societies aro requested to send a representative to join tho committee. I

There wore ithoiit 150 people present on tlio Pctono Ground yesterday afternoon, wheri the Hutt 'ami l'ctone Citizens' Band and tlio Wellington Garrison Hand presented a delightful programmo of music. Bandsman Hiiyo received a great ovation for his rendering of a euphonium solo entitled "Band of Hope mid Glory." Lieutenant Herd cowl noted both hands. Tho proceeds, which mummied to a goodly sum. are in aid of tlio Wellington Garrisoi; Band.