THE KNIGHTS OF LABOUR. Auckland, October 24.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 416, 2 November 1889, Page 6

THE KNIGHTS OF LABOUR. Auckland, October 24.

Thk lecbure by the Rev/ H. Westmoi eland in St. James's Hall last evening, embracing " Reflections on tho Kecent London Dock Strikes," and "The Aims and Objects of the Knights of Labour Organisation," proved most instructive and interesting, but was onlj r moderately attended. 'A-tnpngst those present weie a number of ladies^ Owing to the absence of the President of tho Auckland branch of the Knighbs of Labour (Mr C/ S. Wright) Mr F. J. Moss, M.H.K., was called to the chair. " ITe briefly introduced the lecturer. Remarking on the sparse attendance, Mr Westmoreland said that 'it was very evident that the working ' Wen of Auckland were not yet feufticiehtly educated to take an intelligent intere&t in rtfatters affecting the well- being antisocial condition of their Glass, j It was just for this . purpose, to instil men's minds the piinciples of po,litica\l economy, and educate men in •the ethics of labour and capital, that the Knights of Labour organisation was working^ and he would like to see all classe^a'jid conditions of people taking a 'deep interest in the work and aims of the , Society. | Mr Westmoreland then gave a sketch ofi the origin of the recent great jdock strides in London, which were the outcome »of what had been brewing amongst ,the London toilers for years past as a consequence of the tyrannical and heartless oppression of the dock labourers and the persistent grinding down of their pittance of wages by the capitalists. In former days such things might exist and be borne by the sufferers without a revolt, but in thc^e enlightened days — not, however, yet sufficiently enlightened — the very poor were beginning to realise that they were men and had a right to obtain a reasonable amount of the wealth of tho nation \vliereon to exist. They had all read with unfailing interest the accounts of the progress of the great dock strikes, and the social condition of those who revolted la«ainst the tyranny of wealth — those hundreds and thousands who jostled and fought each other daily at the dock-gates of the world's metropolis, striving for, a ( few hours' work to keep themselves and their wives and little ones from starving, and he thought that it was only natural and humane that the practical sympathy of the inhabitants of these favoured colonies- had gone out to those less fortunate toilers of the Old World. Then Mr Westmoreland paid a tribute to the untiring," striving and courageous work of

JOHN BURNS, that Socialist agitator in the cause of the down-trodden and crushed workers of the London dock a . He had for years struggled manfully and hsroically in the interests of , right against might, and his best toward was his consciousness of having done something to alleviate the condition of his oppressed' fellows and of having Hken up the course of

the helpless and miserable. John Burns had wrung from the capitalists substantial i concessions fco the labourers, and he deserved all praise for his disinterested actions. There were agitators and agitators, and Burns .vas one of the right class. Some political and social agitators were a nuisance and a curse to any society, and the sooner this variety of stump orator and general scourge was "run out," tho better for all concerned. He had, however, narrowly and closely watched John Burns's career, and he was able to say that phe great agitator had proved a genuine man, and a good leader and ' iriend of" the 'masses. After speaking at some length on the causes and results of the dock strikes, the lecturer went on to the aims and objects of the Knights of Labour organisation. Their code was based upon the universal principles of right and equality, and the right of every human being to have a fair opportunity of honestly earning a livelihood^ First of all they .desired to make moral worth, not wealth, 'tho standard of individual and n'a:ti6narg'reatness. Both sexes should be, as far as practicable, placed on a basis of equality in regard to labour, and equal rates Of pay should be given for equal amount of work performed. Their proposals provided for the exclusion of four classes from membership : v (W Jawyers, \2) stockbroker^ (3) foaiflkfei's^ and (4) anyone connected with the lus«pj traffic. For obvious reasons the principles of their organisation required that these four classes should be debarred from connection with the Society. The Knights of Labour counselled the settlement of labour disputes by means ot mutual peaceful arbitration of the points at i?suo, in preference to paralysing all trade by leaving employment and going ,out on strike. However, until all classes concerned consented to adjust their misunderstandings by lriendly arbitration, he supposed that

STJLUKES. MUST OF NECESSITY CONTINUE. The Society's principal objects included broadly the strengthening of the bond of mutual sympathy and practical assistance between all classes of workers, and to do as much as possibly could be done to raise the cause of labour to a more dignified and stronger position than it at present occupied." The Knights of Labour were a widespread and world-wide organisation in various forms, and they were doing a wonderful work, notwithstanding the slow strides which the superficial observer might be led to believe they weie taking. The Society should, commend itself to all workers, and especially in these free colonies, where they were laying the foundations of great and mighty nations, on a more liberal, broader and fieer basis than was the cape with other countries. They had only, ttf think of the dire condition to which all labourers were liable in other countries, and perhaps in ' the future in these lands, , to perceive the urgent need of such an organisation as this League. He trusted that the organisation would do as good work here in New Zealand as it had done in America, and that the cause of labour might be appreciably benefited by its labours. To accomplish the desired objects working men should take an intelligent interest in matters of social reform, which nearly attected themselves, and unite heart and hand in their endeavours to maintain the rights of the toilers against the power of wealth, when tha,t happened to become unreasonable anfl overbearing. In other parts of the world various organisations, such as co-operative societies for production, and distributing societies, were endeavouring to work out satisfactorily the great problem of the relations between labour and capital, with more or less sue- , cess, ? .When such societies were organised on a proper basis and satisfactorily conducted, theyishould support thenvheartily, for it all wen£ . to*, improve the existing relation between, ,the^ t.vo classes. He. mentioned that in Melbourne, where ho had ample opportunities for studying the relations between capital and labour, one mercantile firm took a fixecl amount out of profits as interest on their invested capital, and then after giving a certain fair wage to their employees, divided the balance amongst them in certain proportions. In concluding, Mr Westmoreland urged working men to arouse themselves and look keenly into these social problems, which were now burningquestiona of the day, otherwise their apathy would not unlikely invite- in thi^ .favoured colony the social wrongs and evifs they .deplored as existing in the-mother country. On concluding Mr Westmoreland was loudly applauded, and was.befoi«e the meeting ended accorded a vote~of thanks, on the motion of Mr H. W.- Farnall, seconded by Mr French. .v" ' *f. Sonic discussipn ensued on. the points raised by the 'lecturer t The chairman de- , precated proposals to exclude any class of Workers from the Knights of Labour organisation if they earned an honest living. He thought the four clas&es.excluded by. the/ rules should- be admitted, although* 'inter alia, he did not think that bankers,, would trouble them much for .admission^. Messrs Harvey, Neylon, and French also made a few remarks.