WORKING MEN’S CLUBS.

Evening Star, Issue 3613, 21 September 1874, Page 2

WORKING MEN’S CLUBS.

To the Editor. 1 Sir, — It would appear to be a matter of some surprise to you, judging from soma remarks that appeared in your issue ©f Thursday last, that the question of the establishment of a Working Men’s Club is net more favorably received by the working men of Dunedin. The desirability of such an institution cannot, and, I believe, is not questioned by them ; it would supply a want that has long been felt, and would have met with a corresponding reception from them, if the proper means had been adopted when the idea was first pu diely mooted. The scheme in itself appears simple, and in itself is really so ; but it opens out quite a number of other questions, all bearing directly or indirect y on the apparent apathy of the working classes, foremost amongst which stands the undefined aud indistinct en«—what constitutes a working man ? Observers who have paid any atten ion to the fact must have seen that men who have been in the Colonies any lenth of time hare gathered around them*

selves some very peculiar ideas, conspicuous amongst which is the one “ that a man is a man,” and that in every sense of the word. The workers in these Colonies are wonderfully self-reliant men—thinking men—anti, when the spirit moves them, men of action. Such being the case, anything in the very slightest approaching to patronage is new and always will be resented, while the men regain the same lam not intending to insinuate, and do not wish it to be thought that such has been attempted, but I am constrained to say that an nneasy feeling is in existence on the subject, and that as soon as it is removed, aud not before, will the subject be taken up in earnest by the workers of this City. Uf course, all credit is due to those who so liberally headed the list for the proposed object, bat the mistake was fatal when the adopted di-1 not suit themselves to the end in view. If the assistance of the working mea had been called upon before the first meeting, all the difficulties now would never have appeared ; but wh n they saw that others (non-workers) wanted to put the but er on their bread, they did not like it—they somehow like to have a word to say in these things themselves. Ihe fact is, Mr Editor, that the working men of Dunedin are quite capable of judging f-r themselves of what is good for them, and they should have been allowed to do so * and if» at any time, advice or information was required pertaining to the end in view, it would have been thankfully received. It is not too late now, and if the thing is to became a success, some such means mad be adopted. The working men will readily respond to a call on the subject, and form a meeting of working men. A working men’s committee can be chosen fully able to cop*with, and carry successfully through the scheme of a Workmen’s Club suited to their Colonial wants, aud equal to others with higher sounding nam*-s. Since classes must exist, it most certainly is the duty of the working data t * guard their rights and privileges to the very letter, and if for, no other reason than this, a club would be d a rable. Granting this, it would be a wrong start to admit others than themselves to lay down rules for their guidance, however well intentioned such persons or rules might be. These, Mr tditor, will be found to be the reasons why the workers stand aloof, and the*r go*>d sense and spirit in the matter cannot be too highly commended; for it should not be forgotten that this is a progressive age, and a strong spirit of independence has caused men to estimate everything according to its value. In conclusion,if the sympathies of working men are not enlisted in the matter, how can the club exist or come into existence ? But if the matter is warmly taken no by the working men, in a veryfchort time the proposed club would bei ouae a reality and a fact ; and to accomplish this, and to raise the sum required, a committee of bond Jide working men must be appointed at the outset of the business, with power for them to add more workers or otherwise. Any other method cannot be successful, and never would be popular.—! am, &a, W.H.H. Dunedin, September 21.