LABORERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 242, 12 April 1912, Page 8

LABORERS' UNION.

VISITING ASSESSORS ENTERTAINED Members of the N;w Plymouth General Laborers' Union tendered a complimentary dinner in the Picadilly Dining Rooms last night to the visiting assessors (Messrs. M. J. Reardon and E. Kennedy), who, with Mr. E. J. Roper, of New Plymouth, are conducting the union's case at the Conciliation Council. About forty members were in attendance, and the gathering was of an enthusiastic character. 'Prior to the mem- j bers sitting down to an excellent repast, on behalf of the union, the chairman (Mr. J. Lynch) briefly welcomed the assessors ''in coming to help to fight the battle of labor." In a few remarks the secretary (Mr. Roper) said he hoped by to-morrow to tell those present that they had brought about a reasonable agreement. Describing the assessors, the speaker said that they were men who were ready and willing to lay down practically their lives to advance the cause of their fellow workers. At the council that day there were no points that went by default as far as the assessors were concerned. Their's was no easy task. Mr. Roper further eulogised them and other trades' union officials for their honesty of purpose, and went on to say that labor would not get a better class of men to represent them than they had that day. They were few in numbers that night, but if they continued to show the same enthusiasm as that manifested at the last half-yearly meeting, the cause of labor must go ahead in New Plymouth and its environs. "It rests with you," he concluded, "to see to that. You do your part, we will do ours. These men sacrifice more than you will ever know to obtain better conditions for labor.".

Proposing the toast of the Trades and Labor Council, coupled with the name of Mr. Reardon, Mr. L. Smith hoped that, by to-morrow night they would be able to announce that the cause had been brought to a very satisfactory conclusion. (Applause.) 'He regretted that amongst a section of local workers there was some misconception, but as time went on, and as the union had the opportunity of bringing the benefits of the organisation before them, it would all be renewed. Mr. Smith emphasised how, first of all, they would have to organise, and after that to educate. Subsequently they would have to federate. In reply, Mr. Reardon expressed the hope that upon the next occasion he visited New Plymouth he would find the local society affiliated with the greater organisation—the Trades and Labor Council. Continuing, he said that a great deal of work which was carried on by the Trades Council was absolutely unknown outside of the room in whish they met. When the workers saw the party's programme they would see that it was worthy of the Council and the united support of all workers. Touching on another point, he stressed the importance of affording better facilities, free of cost, for educating the children. Instancing what the worker could do once he got into Parliament, the speaker referred to the good work done for Taranaki by the late Mr. E.;M. Smith, at one [time member for New Plymouth. Mr. Reardon also emphasised the necessity i for all positions on public bodies being contested, not merely by the worker who took off his coat. It was clearly understood that the brain-worker was just as necessary and as useful as the man who dug a trench. Even though they might not win, their position in the political field wa» an incentive for others to follow suit. In the industrial field the workers were not to hope for too much from their trades union. In his own opinion they could get far more out of political action. He believed that they could obtain both a universal Saturday half-holiday and an eight 'hours' day if the workers combined politica-lly. A number of other toasts were honored.