LABOUR MATTERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3765, 11 May 1907, Page 3

LABOUR MATTERS.

Agitator Collins Snuffed Out. : ' ; May 9. A meeting held to-night to form A Navvies and GenerallLabourers’ Union (Mr Hogg, M. H. R. presiding) was attended by Mr Andrew Collisn of Wellington, who in a violent speech denounced Mr • Hogg’s action in reference to communicating with the Minister for Labour asking the latter to suspend portions of the Factories Act regarding the Saturday halfholiday. He declared that he represented the Tailoresses’ Union, and “he deprecated the action of any politician who would try to interfere with the enforcement of the laws of the country.” Mr Hogg, in reply, stated that he had always been, an opponent of oppression—he had defended the store-keepers of the town and their hands just as he had defended the young apprentices of Masterton some years ago, when Mr Collins and his friends tried unsuccessfully, to prevent them completing their .apprenticeship and earning their ]living. He objected to a mine (being sprung on Wairarapa storekeepers, who had been working in harmony for over five years, and he assured Mr Collins that blatant demagogues ; Who rushed labour demands, to rash extremes would do more harm than good to the cause. He (Mr Hogg) was too old and well-known a friend of Labour for- workers to be led away by remarks about him by such a man as Mr Andrew GolHus. ■ Mr Hogg’s speech was heartily received, and the meeting passed him a vote of.thanks, and approval. ' 1 • •' '