Notes from the North

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 10, 12 May 1911, Page 6

Notes from the North

Is there any thing of more interest than to trace the evolution of the working-man? We have had a splendid demonstration of progress in Huntly, despite our backward state in many aspects. On April 24 the local School Committee was elected, the workers came forward and succeeded against strong opposition—there being 20 candidates for 9 seats—in electing a majority of their nominees on the Committee. Prior to the poll the workers 7 candidates addressed an open-air meeting, which judging by results,, was highly satisfactory. Comrades all agree that it was one of the finest propaganda meetings ever held in lyA few items are worthy of note. The Committee a year ago proved a little, obstinate towards an appeal from the Literary and Debating Society, which is practically a work-man's institution and has the open platform to recommend it. We made an effort upon the occasion of Committee election to place workers' representatives with the welfare of education at heart upon the Committee, but the Church and Free Masonry proved too strong- for us. This year the Li. and l>. Society again approached the Committee and had perf orep> ■to decline tee's offer "owing to the insecure conditions attached." The Huntly Press commenting upon the representations of our deputation said that we were entirely wrong in making "a demand." The Editor's number upon the present election is worthy of preservation because of the reluctant acknowledgement of the change, also for his decided leanings towards*" the friends whom the workers deliberately ousted. The ex-chairman Rev. A. J. Beck, has been relegated to private life, but before accepting that humble position he recorded his casting vote in favour of two of his former committee-men as against one of the workers' nominees. Comrade J. E. Duncan is now chairman.. Well done th© pick-swingers ! It was wrong to "demand"—now w« have come to command ! True, there is not a far-reaching power on the surface of our Education arrangements for any committee to work out, but there is the step which has been taken to start at the bottom issue, and no doubt the workers will see to it that other issues will be mastered by those who will ever seek the emancipation of the race. We are now 500 strong in the Waikato Miners' Union by official figures and what a power we could be for the onward movement of Humanity. I have been reading a speech delivered in Auckland on April 28 by Mr. E. M. Alison (chairman of directors) on the Taupiri Coal Mines, Ltd. It is headed "A Successful Year." Human lives and money 1 From first word to last no thought is spoken of the welfare of the miners who have given their strength of manhood to create the sheets oi : wealth. All attention and interest is centred upon money, and so deeply were they touched that shareholders passed compliments to the bosses. Human lives and money ! We read : "I regret," continued Mr. Alison, "to have to refer to a fatal accident which occurred at Ralph's Mine last August, whereby a miner and a trucker lost their lives through a fall of earth in the Taupiri West heading. An inquest being held, the unanimous verdict was returned : That no blame was attachable to anyone. This is the first fatal accident which has happened underground in tlio history of the present company. '' It should be added that three- of the jury—miners—signed the following rider:—"Wo, the undersigned, are of opinion that no man should be employed in working any face without a responsible official being in charge, in case of men being caught and unable to help themselves." The trucker's parents lived in Australia and no compensation was paid them although in most distressing circumstances. I read some of the letters

that came from those grief stricken parente and they spoke of dire need and misery. Human lives and money! The year was so successful that we read : —"Reference was made to the business-like manner in which, the affairs of the company had been carried outj and it was unanimously resolved to alter the articles of association providing of a payment of £600 honorarium to the board of directors In place of £300, as at present." Bii,L.Y Banjo.