CONDITION OF THE WORKERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3376, 17 November 1911, Page 2

CONDITION OF THE WORKERS.

AMELIORATED BY PARLIAMENT. SPEECH BY SIR. JAS.. CARROLL. An interesting address, bearing on the labor legislation dealt with during last session, was made at the Labor Cay sports yesterday afternoon by Sir Jas, Carroll. The Minister, who was received with warm applause, acknowledged the manner in which his name had been received._ Tliis was the first occasion on which he had had the opportunity of attending a labor celebration in tins district, though he had attended functions of a similar nature in the larger cenrtes of the Dominion. He referred to the fact that for 'the last 21 years, dating from the time labor was an important factor in the body politic, its advantages would be recognised by the fact that 78 Acts had been passed, all practically , ameliorating the conditions of labor. Many of these Acts -would be familiar to them, but he would refer to one or two.. The Advances to Settlers .A ct had assisted those with spare means to get on to the land and build hemes for themselves and their families on the most liberal terms that could be offered. The Advances to Workers’ Act, which enabled those who are toilers by a deposit of £lO, to obtain the assistance of tire Government to provide homes or dwellings for them at a minimum rate of cost had been largely taken advantage of. It could not be otherwise, owing to the liberal conditions governing the system. In 25| years, by the payment of installments at '7 percent on a 5 per cent basis of interest, any occupant can l make Iris dwelling free, and it would belong entirely to himself and his family. Furthermore, anyone operating under that Act. can insure with the Government Life Insurance for the balance of the liability at ; any time, so. that in case of death his wife and family would have a free hoirse. He then complimented the workers of this district for the calm intelligence that controlled all their actions, resulting in an amicable settlement of differences of opinion, which unavoidably occurred at times between employer and employee He trusted that that calm reason which was so significant her© would have its influence in other centres, where disputes unfortunately reached in many cases a most acute stage. He believed thoroughly in the common sens© of the people and in that spirit of fair plav which was so inherent in them both individually and collectively. That would no doubt well assert itself more so as we progress along the line. This country liad been responsible for very advanced social, industrial, and humanitarian legislation. It lias attracted the attention of great thinkers in other parts of the. world; an much so that constantly enquiries were being made from Australia the Old Country, America,, and Continental nations as to tile character of that legislation, its objectives, its operation, and its results. It was something to be proud of that wei in this far away country should be considered a faotolr i,n shaping laws for the betterment of our people. A reflex was toi be found in; our own people, because at no public gathering he had attended was there to be found a better-dressed, comported, healthy, and contented people than was to be witnessed in. the ground and elsewhere in this country. Tin's itself answered .any query as to whether wo were facing-, the great problems satis-' facbori]y, A future, nation- lived in the children., and .if they. were, well equipped through our varic/us inefitufione and well provided for, and reached manhood and; womanhood, we need have no fear a® to what our future would be. To bis mind it would be creative of a nationhood such as might be. envied bv other parts of the wor'd. Sir James Carroll concluded bv expressing the hope that a pleasant afternoon would be spent. (Applause.) 1