“ARGUS” MACHINE FUND

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1937, Page 4

“ARGUS” MACHINE FUND

Further Donations ONE OF £5O. The fund being raised in order to provide the “Grey River Argus” with improved equipment in machinery, is steadily being augmented, the latest donations including ones from the Timber Workers’ Union (to be later detailed), the Amalgamated Engineering and Allied Trades Union, ths Hons P. C. Webb and G. R. Hunter, and others; while the industrial organisations of the State Mines district are inaugurating an effort which is expected to have substantial results One item in the Runanga movement is a Grand Dance, to be held on Friday night next at the Miners’ Hall, when modern and old time dances will be on the programme as well as several novelty numbers, for which there will be good prizes offered. The admission prices are within the reach of all, Is and Is 6d, w^, 1 / 0 tne music will be excellent. the Hokitika Labour Party are also raising a fund, and it is anticipated that the appeal will be taken up at other places.

RUNANGA ORGANISATIONS. TO SUPPORT THE FUND. Convened by the Runanga Branch of the New Zealand Labour Party, a meeting of representatives of organisations in the State Mines District was last evening held at Runanga to consider ways and means of promoting the “Argus” Machine Fund. There were present: Messrs R. Knight and W. Duggan (Labour Party), B. Fisher and J. Unwin (Engine Drivers’ Union), J. Duggan and P. Williams (Co-operative Miners’ Union), D, Barnes and A. Houghton (Co-opera-tive Mine Employees’ Union), R. Middleton (Deputies’ Union), and Geo. English and Wm. Pendlebury (State Miners’ Union). Mr. Knight was appointed Chairman of the Committee, and Mr. W. Duggan, Secretary. Reference was made to the need and value to the workers and supporters of Labour of a press which would defend their interests, and it was agreed that steps be taken to augment the Machine Fund. Various proposals were discussed, and it was decided, as a first step, that a Grand Dance should be held on Friday next at the Miners’ Hall, Runanga; and that an application be made to the Minister of Internal Affairs for a permit for an Art Union. A comprehensive programme was drawn up, and it will later be published in detail. A HANDSOME DONATION. The generosity of the Hon. P. C. Webb (Minister of Mines), and the Hon. G. R. Hunter, M.L.C., in subscribing for the Machine Fund the substantial sum of £5O, while it will be widely appreciated by Labour supporters, will at the same tims serve as a reminder of the valued assistance which those gentlemen no less readily rendered the “Grey River Argus” from the time that it first became an organ of the Labour Movement. The Paper Board and the Directorate of the “Argus” are most appreciative of the support which this handsome donation represents for the Machine Fund;. and desire at the same time to express their gratification that the appeal is meeting with a steadily growing response throughout the district where the paper is circulating. The latest donations to the Fund are as follows:—

£ s d Hons. P. C. Webb and G. R. Hunter, M.L.C.. 50 0 0 Amalgamated Engineering Union 10 0 0 Mr. Peterson 10 0 Mr. Thompson 2 6 Previously acknowledged, 34 19 8 Total 95 12 0