JOHN DOWGRAY.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 31, 6 October 1911, Page 8

JOHN DOWGRAY.

John DoAvgray, coal mine Avorkers' representative on the Mines Commission, is a Scot, having been born near GlasgoAv in the seventies.

Commencing Avork as a "half-timer" in a rope works at the early age of 10 years, DoAvgray left, that employment and became a coal miner, Avhich occupation he has followed CA'cr since. At an early age Dbwgray became an active figure in the Labor movement first in the North of England, then in Midlothian, Fife'shire, and lastly Lanarkshire. He attended and took part in the formation of the powerful Scots Miners' Federation, and Avas a member of other Avorking-class organisations.

As a member of the Social-Democra-tic party, he filled many public positions, his activities in this direction only 'being cut short by his departure for New Zealand, where he arrived some fiA'e years ago. Since his arrival in N.Z., Dowgray has continued his interest in the Labor movement. Since the inauguration of the N.Z.F.L.—then the Miners' Federation —Dowgray has been an executive member, and. at the present time is Federation Treasurer. He is also President of the Granity Miners' Union. Though not a good speaker, Friend DoAvgray has a grasp of detail and a knoavledge of the AA'orking-class movement Avhich makes him a valuable member of the Federation Executive.

A Avide and omniverous reader, ne has taken, a keen interest in books and bookmen, and to-day possesses in his home at Granity one of the finest private libraries Avhich the Avriter knows'of.

With his Avide knowledge of mining and a keenness in cross-examination, DoAvgray has more than fulfilled the expectations of his felloAV-Avorkers as their representative on the Mines Commission.