CHIT-CHAT FROM CHRISTCHURCH

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 73, 2 August 1912, Page 10

CHIT-CHAT FROM CHRISTCHURCH

City Council—Deputations Laborers' Union—lllegality of the Oath.

Tiie Cliristdiurch City Council at its lust meeting (July 2i) dealt with several matters of interest to the workers. The first tiling that .struck mo as being peculiar was tho restlessness of tho councillors while tJic clerk was reading tho minutes of tho previous mooting. That portion of tho meeting was devotoxl to councillors saying good evening to each other, pnssiug remarks about the \ve:ith<r, discussing the prico ot pins, poultry, timber, oatsbeaf, chaf), etc. When tJho question was put, that tho minutes be confirmed, the councillors all voted aye, but I don't think one of them lizard a dozon wonlfi of what the clork had read.

Then they ran through passing accounts, correspondence, etc., and reached tho first important matter. A ■deputation from the Passive Resistors' Union was admitted, and asked for the removal from Victoria Square of a giin that had beoti us<h! in tho South African war by tho Boors, captured by the British troops, and presented to the city by tho Imperial Government as a trophy of the Boer war. However, the young men's eloquence was lost on tho Council; the request was refused w ith(■ut discussion.

Another import-ant deputation was one t<> protest/ against the situation of the Animals' Home. This home, which was reoently established by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is situated in Montreal street, an J is used as a home for sick dogs, cats, horses, etc. The deputation complained that the homo had become a nuisance and had a depreciatory effect on property in the, neighborhood, besides being a menace to health,. I do not intend to discuss the reasons advanced by the deputation for the removal of the home, nor the Council's decision to refer the matter to a committee; but there is ample justification for discussing the question as to why, instead of taking co much trouble over sick dogs, etc., more attention is not given to establishing homes and cottage hospitals in various parts of the city, so that the workers' children could get proper medical attention and nursing when tJicy are sick. Surely they arc of moro value than my lady's pet poodle ?

I will probably be told that tltere is n w< ■11-cquippcd children's ward at the hospital but I would point out that there aro a number of cases of illness among the workers' children, not serious enough for the hospital, but which require medical attention, which the poor worker is unable to get. In these cases a little medical attention and proper nursing would prevent a serious illness and a great deal of suffering and loss nf life, and should be provided for by tlio establishment of four or five children's homes in various parts of the city, each placed in charge of an experienced nurse, to which mothers could take their little ones for treatment when ill. A stop in this direction would be appreciated by all, and there would be no fear of a deputation waiting on tJie Council asking for the removal of such homes.

The Canterbury General Laborers' Union mot on Tuesday evening, July 23, Mr. J. Flood presiding. It was decided that the general secretary slionld give all assistance possible in getting advertisements and subscribers for Tub Wojikkh. The question of appointing organiser was fully discussed and the result was that Mr. IF. A. Campbell was appointed for a period o , ' three months. lie expected to enter upon bis new duties within a fortnight.

At the Magistrate's Court on July 2-1, before MrfT. A. R. Bailey, Charles Arnold Campion was oil a r Rod with having committed a breach of section 50 of the, Defence Act by refusing to take the oath of allegiance, lie was represoiitod by Wr. Cassidy. Tlio defence was that tho oath which was tendered was illegal, and •unauthorised by the Defence Aft. Mr. Ca&skly submitted that section 11 laid down tho oath definitely and clearly, and that this was the only oath that could be offered. The Defence Department had added a irainber of words to the oath, and it was that oath with these additions that was offered to defendant, which, the defence submitted, was illegal. Tn one place the words bad been added, "J. will obson*e and obey all orders of his Majesty and heirs and sueressors, and of generals and officers set over mc." Counsel submitted that there was no power for those additions. Sub-inspector McGratii said that, in his opinion, the point required consideration. T.lo did rot know of any authority for additions to tho oath. His Worship said ho would t;ike, time, to consider the point. At'the same sitting 14 other boys were fined ss. and costs for failing to render personal service.—A.l\