Shannon Notes

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 August 1915, Page 3

Shannon Notes

[By our Resident Representative.]

DEBATING 'SOCIETY

The Debating Society made another effort to meet on Tuesday evening, am! this time the proceedings were not hindered by an outbreak ol ti''e as on the previous Tuesday. The question for the eve*iMg was: "Are trade unions justified in bringing about strikes during the war ' (with special reference to the Welsh miners' stnko). Mr Exall opened the debate by a tew remarks on the subject ol strikes. lie considered that neither employer not employee would be justified in taking advantage of the other unjustly, but if there was any real hardship undei ■which the Welsh miners laboured they were justified in striking. Mr Logan referred to the strike of the Clyde workmen who struck lor an advance of a farthing an hour. The employers would not yield and. held up the country though tliev were making millions during the war. He thought the men were quite justified in striking. Mr Clayton thought the Welsh coalmineip struck to force the hand of tlie Government and he thought they were quite justified in doing so. The president (Mr Hensman) was somewhat of the opinion of the previous speaker that the Welsh miners were justified in I taking the stand they did because Hiett I demands were just. The Welsh miners were as loyal to King and country as any other Britons. iThev had sent thousands of men to the front and would not have done anything that would imperil their comrades, but they would never have got justice from the coal magnates who would have treated them unjustly if they ha'd not struck when they did. The hard conditions under which the miners lived justified the strike. The increased profit on coal during the war had amounted ti» £20.000,000, and the mine magnates •wanted it all. Ho said the miners wore justified in wanting a share of it. Mr Trainer was surprised at the alarming doctrine which "our peace loving president" had put forth; that the men were to take advantage of the iwai* time to strike for their demands ■was most unreasonable. He though) it unpatriotic .to take advantage of the Government during the great international crisis and imperil the State in the face of the Cabinet's .warnings. He considered also the large landowners should be taxed to meet the expenses of maintenance oi the wounded, etc. He admired thy patriotism ol the Germans where they were all in it. We should copy tiiein ill this and be all in it too, and not Jet the rich get richer at the expense oi the poor. The discussion drifted on to the subject of conscription which wa» not generally approved ot. The question of the State assuming control ol all supplies and 'industries was also laised. It was decided that the question of a war tax should be considered next Tuesday evening.

SPECIAL SERVICED. A special (service in commemoration ot the outbreak ol the war was Held in the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday afternoon. Tlie service was conducted by the Rev. 51 r Bredin, wtio began by reading the psaku "God ;s our Refuge." The National Antneni was then sung, 'Miss Laurvig presiding at the organ. The Rev. Mr liredin offered prayers and then the con gregation sang the liymn "O God our Help Jn Ages Past." Mr Clayton engaged iu prayer and the Rev. Air Bredin read to 74th psalm. Mr I'argher ofFered prayer and the hymn "O God of Love, O King of Peace" was sfing. After prayer by Mr Ryrie the service concluded with tho benediction.

At the Ven Bede's Anglican Church a speciaj commemorative and intercessory service was conducted by tlie Kev. G. Pahner. Thanksgivings were offered for the opportunities which the war liatl brought for spiritual work especially with reference to our Indian I'hnpire. Intercessions were made for our soldiers and sailors, especially those •win. had gone froiii Shannon. The service concluded with the solemn remembrance before God of those who had given their lives in the service of the Empire in this righteous war, more especially those who wore our lei lowtowns men. The special psalms were 13th, 21, st, and 146 th, hymns 165, 401 and 512 from hymns ancient find mod- j ern were sung, 'Mrs Greattach presiding at the organ.