The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1907. HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2020, 4 March 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1907.

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES.

The slaughtermen’s dispute has been settled as far as it affects local interests, and the easiest thing to do is to congratulate both parties on having arrived at an amicable understanding. To arrive at an agreement was tlio most sensible thing to do under any circumstances, and congratulations to either or both parties on attaining that end are- but pleasant superfluities that need not be withheld. There remains, however, beneath tlio surface of the matter some considerations affecting tlio whole relationship of capital and labor that' will have to bo argued out and settled before our local industries can be said to bo based upon that solid foundation that is not only desirable but necessary. These will, of course, not affect the present temporary agreement entered into; but’ they do affect, and will continue to affect not only the relations of capital and labor but capital and labor themselves until they are permanently settled. When we last’ referred to this matter we pointed out that upon a fixed basis of expenditure, or something approaching it, could alone be laid the element of success of any business that gavo no possibilities of abnormal profits, or one that was confined to > limited and steady returns, and as all industries that do not partake of the purely gambling element come within this category, it follows that in all legitimate industries one of the first essentials is to be able to calculate tor a reasonable distance ahead what the expenditure is likely to be. - lint if the chief item of expenditure is liable to sudden fluctuations, it is certain that considerable curtailment, if not actual paralysis, of trade mins, be the natural result, and we have only to follow the argument one step further towards its logical cud to come to the conclusion that auv conditions that tend to reduce the volume of trade or manufacture must also reduce the amount of money available for those who have o >v their labor to give in return for that money. In other words, it is as plain as daylight that capitalists who are seeking to invest their money in businesses that are chiefly dependent upon labor, will not embark in those businesses unless they can reckon upon some stability in tlie labor market. 7t matters not to them so much what tlie price of labor is within reason as the certainty of obtaining it at a price that can be calculated before other expenditure is incurred, for tlie price of labor always affects tlie price of everything else. The industrial life of the colony and the welfare of the industrial classes is therefore very largely dependent upon the principle of fixity of the price of labor, and if, as in the case of the slaughtermen’s dispute, there are no safeguards against stoppages are sudden disruption in the cost of labor, the inevitable result must he the curtailment of work to be paid for. For the past dozen years or so we have been accustomed to look upon the Conciliation and Arbitration Act os tlie safeguard in that respect, but now it is found on its first real test to be absolutely futile and inadequate, and while it is credited in labor circles with having been the means of increasing the cost of living, it has not even the merit of having promoted the increase of industries as it should and would have done had it but secured the safeguards that were expected of it. Yet

I tl is result was perhaps duo to tho dilatorinoss with which the Act was administered rather than to its faulty construction, although noithor was pe rfoot, and the fact that it has so j long roinaiiud tlio acknowledged oni gino for the sottlemout of industrial • disputo is bocauso hitherto no one j was anxious to eauso its obliteration . fiom the Statute Book. It has rci n.ninod for the slaughtermen to take i the law into their own hands, to set the Act at defiance, and to prove its intrinsic) worth, and the outcome ol I flic matter has been to show the fuI ti'ity of tho Act in its present form, I as well as (lie folly of having put it . to the test from a labor point of view. While it has been shown that tie Act can he evaded and that strikes are moro expeditious than law in bringing about some kind ol settlement, it has also been shown that | (he methods adopted by tho slaugh- ! termon were not the methods best I calculated to servo tlioir interests nr j those of their employers, lor while they wasted valuable time at their own cost, tho employers were also put to expense and inconvenience which ccuhl all have been avoided il prompt ' arbitration woro made possible under a perfected law. In any ease resort i to tho expediency of a strike or its equivalent vas hardly necessary and should not ho necessary in order to arrive at what is a lair rate o wages to pay for doing a class ol work that is but a simple routine. It is not a difficult matter to do this in j any business, neither is it a difficult j matter to frame a law' that, while doing justice to both sides, would irako provision for the continuance of work ponding settlement, and absolutely prohibit anything in the nature of a strike. Until that is done, and something like peimaneneo an 1 stability given to industrial agreements it cannot bo expected that w shall sco tho country’s resources do vdoped to the extent that they arc capable of, or labor compensated on a fixed basis as it should bo when its power can ho utilised w-ith more certainty of result than it 1 can bo under temporary agreements.

Edisons at- Theatre to-night. Tho San Francisco mail was delivered at Gisborne last evening. Tho old Masonic stables were sold by auction on Saturday to Messrs. Evans, Nield and Co. for £6O. Mr G. B. Carter is authorised to recoivo all moneys owing to E. A. Guilford in connection with tho Jersey Dairy. Tho racehorse Pink ’Un has been sold by Mr. J. M. Gouldsmitli to Mr. Price, of Australia. The price is stated to be £I4OO. Melbourne Cup—Edison’s Pictues to-night. At the Polico Court on Saturday morning, before Mr. Barton, S.M., Charles Nelson, for drunkenness, was flued 10s, .with costs 2s, or in default 48 hours’ hard labor.

Tolago Bay Jockey Club acceptances for the First Handicap Hurdles Flying Handicap, District Race and Uawa Stakes, and entries for the First Hack Handicap, Autumn Handicap, Second Hack Handicap, and Farewell Handicap, close with tho secretary, Mr W. E. Holder, to-day. At the meeting of Licensing Committee on Saturday the Chairman stated that tho members were not to blame for non-attendance on Friday, as it had been ascertained that notices had.not been sent out . A remand was granted until Tuesday’ in the case of the alleged theft brought before the Police Court on Saturday, tho accused being Charles Yates, and Edward Henry Dennett, alias Topping, who are charged with stealing £3, the property of Florence Watson.

Day sales at Miller’s of Edison’s Pictures.

The metropolitan committee of tho Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club endorsed the disqualification for six months of E. Sweeney, by the Gisborne Racing Club. The St. Patrick’s Day sports programme W’as approved of, subject to a mile race being included in tbc programme.

Patutahi bad tbc honor of carrying off championship honors and a gold medal at the Exhibition for the best developed baby girl. Out of 500 competitors the championship was carried off by the daughter of Mr and Mrs T. Gordon, to whom hearty congratulations are extended on the victory.

Tho Salvation Army barracks were crowded last, night A number of recent converts were enrolled as soldiers of the Army. Mrs Slattery and Miss Gilbert sang the duet “Life is like a Blossom,” and they also spoke. Captain Slattery gave an address on “Redeeming the Time.” To-night tho soldiers arc giving Captain and Mrs Slattery- and Miss Gilbert (who accompanies her sister) a farewell coffee supper, which friends and the public are invited to attend. The esteemed officors leave for their now destination on Wednesday evening. Edison’s Pictures —New programme to-night.

Mr A. J. Massey, who has been organist of St. Andrew’s Cl lurch for over 13 years, leaves for Foilding -to take up an appointment there, proha bly going by Sunday’s steamer. Mr Massey lias taken a leading part in musical circles in this district, and after fifteen years of such excellent service his assistance will be greatly’ missed locally, liis positions including that of leader of the Orchestral Society and of tlio Club Orchestra. His work of conducting the school concerts for the past throe years was a striking success, and ho is a. great favorite with the children as well as with tlioir ciders. Ho is to be tendered a farewell concert next Thursday or Friday evening.

On the property of Mr. Thomas Todd, Waimata Valley, last week, there was found in tlie charred barrel of a large tree which had been burned during busli clearing, some calcined human bones, the skull appearing to be that of a Maori. Beside the remains there was a portion of an old Lee-Enfiold rifle, and pieces of a hand-bag. Mr. Todd, after making inspection, reported the matter to the Coroner, Mr. Barton. The police arc making further enquiries, but there is not much probability of light being thrown on the subject. It is thought to be connected with the days of warfare between the INgatipovons and rebels. Tho adjourned quarterly meetir of tlio Licensing Committee of Waiapu took place on Saturday, the Chairman (Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M.), and Messrs. Hepburn, Somervell, and Barton being present. The reports of Detective Madderu, Constables Doyle, Mellsop, and McLeod were favorable. Tho Chairman said th conduct of the hotels had been very good, and the thanks of tlie Committee were due to the police for the excellent order maintained during the quarter. Transfers were granted as follows:—Tlios. McLaehlan, Kawakawn, hotel, Te Araroa, to David Charles Hawkins (Mr. F. W. Nolan), Arthur Macrorie Manning, Rose hotel. Port Awanni, to David Matt Duff (Mr. A. V. Rees); Benjamin Hodgson Aislabie, Lake House, Tiniroto, to John Walsli (Mr. Rees). Mr C. Hansen, of Motu Accommodation House, was given two months’ extension (final) to complete the improvements requested, inability to get the timber having been given as the cause of the delay. Mr. L. C. Allen (Rangatira) Hotel, To Karaka), was given three weeks’ leave of absence, Mrs. Allen to have charge of the house and Mr. Higgs to have control of the bar.

See two huge locomotives crash— Edison Pictures to-night.

Guard yo.ur anaemic young daughter against future ill-health by building up her strength to'tlio normal condition • of youthful vigour. Stearns’ Wine will do it—has done it for millions, —Atlvt 1 .

A mooting of tho Gisborne Hospital Trustees was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Present: Messrs J. Harding (in tho chair), Matthews, J. 4V. Bright, F. J. Lysuar, and IT. Kenway. Mr Lysnar asked if thoy were in ordor in holding the meeting. Tho Chairman said that on looking through tho by-laws, it was perfectly clear thoy woro in tlioir rights. Mr Lysnar thought that such an important subjoct should ho delayed to get a bettor attendance. Air Komvay said it had been delayed long enough. Mr Matthews concurred, and said that things woro in an unsatisfactory way. He was prepared to take liis share of the responsibility for holding tho meeting. Air Lysnar said it was hardly fair to those absent.

It was decided to proceed. Air Lysnar moved the Hon. Capt. Tucker’s motion:—“That tho motion passed oil February .Ist to appoint a medical superintendent for the Hospital ho rescinded with a view to further consideration of the matter.”

Mr Keiiway seconded tho motion pro forma, anil said that tlio needs of tlio Hospital would ho hotter met by having a house surgeon and an honorary staff, and tlio Hospital would bo conducted economically and with less friction. At the last meeting he acted as lie had done to get further consideration. He was of opinion that a house surgeon would he of moro advantage to tho Hospital. However,whatover was done lie would abide by. Mr Matthews said that it w’as a question of salary, and tw’o medical men were willing to act.

Mr Bright said that the medical superintendent should be in charge and later on ask for the co-operation of the medical men, and they should look to him for management. Tho Board had fully ventilated this question on many occasions. The next step was to prepare tho schedule ol duties for tho advertisement for a medical superintendent. When they came to that point the Hon. Capt. Tucker had proposed to rescind tho motion. If they had unanimously passed a resolution lot' them give it n trial. They should proceed on what they had passed. It yvould be time to reconsider tho position if the result was unsatisfactory. At present there was no reason why they should disagree rvith a motion carried unanimously. Tho Chairman said ho was sorry there was not a fuller attendance. The time had arrived after so long a delay to bring tho matter to some finality. He was entirely of tho same opinion as the two last speakers, and was sure that those opposing had the same aim in view—the good and welfaro of the institution—although they differed about the method. He hoped they would go on as decided at the meeting of February to regulate the appointment of a medical superintendent, and that anything done to-day would be final. If they did not get any satisfactory applications the question could be re-opened. Tho Chairman then put the motion, only tho mover and seconder voting for it, and it was declared lost, the previous motion standing. Mr Ivonway said that if they appointed a medical officer he would he provided with quarters, and as it was possible that the arrangement may terminate at the end of 12 months, he trusted the Board would not go tu tho expense of building.

Tlie Chairman said that that was under consideration. He agreed entirely with Mr Kemvay. It was decided to advertise in Auckland, AVollingtbn, Christchurch, Dunedin, Alelbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide and locally, applications to be received till Alay Ist.

Tho Chairman moved that the following letter bo sent to Dr. Morrison :—“Dr. Morrison having resigned tlie position of medical superintendent of tlio Gisborne Hospital, which he has held for the past three and ahalf years, the Trustees record on their minutes their appreciation of the manner in which ho lias carried out his duties. They especially recognise his ability as a physician and the great skill displayed by him in liis surgical operations. That a letter conveying this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Morrison.” Mr Matthews seconded tlio motion, which was carried without dissent. The next meeting of the Trustees will bo hold at the Hospital on Friday, March 15tli, at i .30 p.m.