The Globe. MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1245, 4 March 1878, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1878.

We have already commented upon the fact that the other chief towns of the colony are in advance of Christchurch as regards the establishment of Working Men’s Clubs. In Auckland, Napier, Wellington, and Dunedin such institutions have been projected, and are in more or less successful operation. The fact that no attempt has been made in the same direction here, is not, we are afraid, proof that there is no necessity for their existence here. Far from it, It is true, of course, that to some extent one of the objects of such clubs is already fulfilled in this city. The Public Library is open to all, and the members who frequent it every evening is proof that the boon is appreciated by a large number. But such a place can never become a resort for those who want not only to read the leading newspapers and magazines of the day, but to meet their fellows in friendly intercourse. The only resorts for such are hotel bar-parlours. It is the interest of the proprietors of those places to make them as attractive and popular with their patrons as possible. Now, without entering upon the question of the influence of public houses upon their occasional patrons, it is plain that a man whose social instincts drive film frequently there for the sake of fellowship is very liable to contract

alike to himself and his family. At the present time public houses supply the means of gratifying a laudable and praiseworthy instinct —the desire for social intercourse. But their attendant evils are too well known to be discussed here. Working Men’s Clubs propose to place within the reach of the labouring classes the comforts and conveniences at present supplied by public houses. No large outlay is needed to begin with. Rooms may be rented, and the necessary furniture bought. The weekly or monthly subscriptions will more than meet the current expenses. The amount spent by its members elsewhere would, if contributed to the club funds, soon enable the committee to make such provisions for the comfort and convenience of members, as to make the institution compete successfully with the best-managed public houses. The difficulty, of course, lies in taking the first step. Even among those in the higher social scale, accustomed to organise companies and societies of all kinds, it takes some considerable exertion to overcome the inertia of the general public. Some one or two men must be self-sacrificing enough to go to great personal trouble to set anything going. But we have amongst us many meu whose experience in connection with the management of Friendly Societies would bo of in the direction we suggest. They are widely acquainted, and know those whose means and inclinations point them out as likely members. After the undertaking is once fairly under way, we have no fear of the result. A variety of tastes would of course have to be consulted, but experience would soon point out in what direction improvements should be made. In addition to providing for those wants which clubs usually supply, such institutions might provide the means of combination for common interests. Were regular communication kept up with similar clubs throughout the colony, its members might always be correctly informed of the state of the labour market elsewhere. Membership of such iustitututions would he a guarantee of good character, and employers might often seek for employees through such agencies in preference to seeking for men in the open market. Of course such clubs also place before themselves higher aims. By means of lectures and classes they seek to form a taste for high-class literature. Those whose tastes for such intellectual enjoyment are already formed would help their neighbours to form higher associations. In course of time a Central Club and Institute Union, such as is in operation in Loudon, might be started. From a description of its objects, which appears in the Spectnior, we learn that it forms a centre to which all clubs may turn for help and advice. Its suggestions and directions are impersonal, a great advantage, as they carry no sense of overpowering patronage. By means of an extensive and well chosen library at places within the reach of poorer clubs the means of rational entertainment. It originates a variety of amusements, and thus attracts as members men who are not conscious for any great de c ire for education and improvement. By means of a journal, published weekly, it circulates a large amount of useful club knowledge and experience. This Union has now been in existence for fifteen years. When it began work there were fifty-four clubs in existence in Great Britain. There are now no less than 800, 435 of which are affiliated to the Union. The time is not, perhaps, ripe for the establishment of such a Union in New Zealand, although if it were in existence it might be the means of some amount of good. Sir G. Grey and his colleagues are apparently bent upon climbing to power on the shoulders of the working men. It is well, therefore, that the opinion of our real working men should be definitely ascertained. They have common interests, and means should be taken to ascertain what they are. Clubs such as we advocate would, as a matter of course, contain all the best men in the country—men who had some interest in the welfare of the colony. Were they regularly organised and in constant communication with each other they would be the means of forming an enlightened working men’s opinion upon the questions which Sir G. Grey calls upon the country to discuss. Our best men would have the means of meeting each other in friendly discussion. Noisy demagogues, men who trust to further their selfish ends by other means than calm discussion, would of course violently oppose the formation of an enlightened working man’s opinion on public questions. Such men’s success rests upon trading ou the ignorance and prejudice of the least enlightened portion of the class. We do not, of course, advocate Working Men’s Clubs in order that they may become political organisations. We only point out that, were they in existence, they would give, among other advantages, an opportunity to our best men to meet together, and discuss amongst themselves public questions.