Longreach Letter, June 8, 1895.

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE, JUNE 8, 1895.

Longreach letter.

ED. WORKER – Since my last letter there has been very little improvement to report in Labour matters. There are still a large number of working men camped about the creeks and billabongs, with very little prospect of work until July.

Retreat and Albilbah have started shearing, and work at these places is going on well. Green Hills will cut-out next week. Gresham is to start first week in June. Coombemartin will start June 1^st, and Saltern Creek about the middle of June.

Goodberry Hills commences shearing about the 10^th of June.

From what I can hear all these sheds are full-handed.

Reports to hand regarding the Trade Union shears speak of them as a first-class article, and I believe there will be a great demand for them at the general shearing.

A few members of the A.W.U. met at the union office last week with a view of taking into consideration the advisability of starting a co-operative store in Longreach. It seemed to be the opinion of these present that a store should be opened, but the matter was left over until information had been obtained from Hughenden and other places where stores have been already opened on the co-operative principle. Should any steps be taken in this matter I will at once advise you.

A circulars being sent the managers of stations in this district from the Political Ass., Brisbane, asking for names of all men working on stations. This, I suppose, has been done with a view of striking men off the electoral roll. I would therefore advise all the men who have their names on the electoral roll, and who have changed their place of residence, to notify such change of residence to the C.P.S. Or police magistrate not later than the 1^st August, and would also advice them to keep a copy of such letter. They should also appoint someone as their agent to appear for them at the Revision Court – this to be in writing, and their name and address attached. I hope men will pay attention to this.

For the information of members, I may inform them that Revision Courts are held quarterly on the first Tuesday in January, April, July, and October, in all electorates.

I am sorry to say tickets for the union prisoners' art union do not go off so well as expected. I trust members and others will do their utmost to dispose of these. - Yours, &c., W. Kewley, Sec. A.W.U.

Longreach, May 28.

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Advance, Victoria!

The following is a portion of the Acting Governor's address at the opening of the Victorian Parliament:

“It is now fully recognised that the colony must use every effort to encourage the production of such articles as can be profitably exported. One great factor in successful production is the obtaining of money at a low rate of interest. As soon as the royal commission appointed to inquire into this subject and as to the establishment of a State bank have furnished their report, my Ministers will be prepared to lay before you a measure dealing with the whole question in a liberal and comprehensive manner.

“Proposals for the amendment of the Constitution Act, for establishing the principle of one adult one vote, and for facilitating the settlement of differences between the two Houses of the Legislature will be placed before you.

“Experience has shown that the Factories Act requires amendment to carry out the intentions of the framers, and you will be asked to pass a remedial measure so as to check the practice of sweating and ensure work being carried on under proper sanitary conditions.

“Bills have also been prepared dealing with many other important matters, including the amendment of the Purification of Rolls Act so as to facilitate the enfranchisement of electors; the regulation of electric lighting; the consolidation of the law relating to the sale of goods; the settlement of trade disputes; the amendment of the law relating to trustees; the authorisation of advances to certain municipalities; the regulation of the width of tires; the amendment of the explosives Act; to provide a site for powder magazines at a safe distance from Melbourne; to effectually deal with insect pests; to amend the laws relating to distillation; to amend the Marine Act; to deal with questions affecting the Game Act”

A State bank! Adult suffrage! The referendum! An amended Factories Act! Arbitration and conciliation! Not bad to begin with. Now just watch the Queensland Coercionists' programme.