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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 5

Auckland, 3 August, 1891

Auckland, 3 August, 1891.

A Circular issued a few weeks ago convening a meeting of the Auckland Master Printers' As sociation assigned the following as the reason for calling the meeting together: « To consider the advisableness or otherwise of continuing the Association. » Considering the unsatisfactory state of affairs which has existed for some time past in connexion with the working of the institution, it was generally expected that the end had come, and that the cut-throat business in the printing trade was about to re-commence. However, the members met, and after an animated discussion the majority of those present came to the conclusion that it was better to put up with the evils of discord among themselves than to revert to the ruinous competition which existed prior to the formation of the Association. At a subsequent meeting a still better feeling prevailed, and it was resolved to « let bygones be bygones. » The society may therefore now be said to be on a tolerably firm footing, and it only requires the members to keep faith with one another and adhere strictly to their obligations to put it in a thoroughly sound position. There are two or three printers in a small way of business in the city who have refused to join the Association, but their opposition is not greatly feared. It is a noticeable fact that they have sprung into existence since the formation of the combination, showing that they have taken advantage of the efforts of the Master Printers to do away with the unprofitable prices at which work was formerly executed. Except for the Association, there would have been no inducement for them to start.

There is a matter which threatens to lead to further dissension and difficulty between our Master Printers. To give you an idea of it, I will mention the following instance, just come under notice. The Auckland Agricultural and Industrial Association paid something between £60 and £70 last year to two large job-offices for catalogues and prize schedules. This year an outsider has stepped in and given the Association a bonus of £15 for allowing him to do the work. He has signed a contract to print the schedules, catalogues, and posters without charge, and has paid £15 for the right to do so. He takes the chance of recovering his outlay by sales of catalogues, and from advertisements on the cover and interleaved with the text; and thus the work, as printing, is lost to the trade. This kind of thing is carried on to a large extent, and there is no knowing where it will stop. At one or two offices promoters of sports, concerts, &c., can now get their programs printed gratis if they allow advertisements to appear on the back. A resolution has been passed by the M.P.A. prohibiting the practice, but the two offices concerned refuse to recognize it. Notice has been given for next meeting providing a fine for infringement of the rule. Should it still be set at defiance, the offending members will either have to withdraw or be expelled from the Association. There is likely to be some feeling displayed over the matter. 22 August.

No improvement in trade—everything very dull; and the printing houses share in the general slackness. Signs of improvement, however, are visible; some large orders for books are spoken of, and the various almanacs and directories will shortly make us feel that the world is on the move.

Another firm has lately appeared in the field—Messrs Spencers, Spooner, & Probert, all of whom have risen from the ranks, and who will probably receive a good share of patronage. They have not yet seen their way to join the Master Printers' Association.

A pleasant little gathering took place on the 11th inst., when a large number of the Star hands met to bid farewell to Mr William Drummond, who served his apprenticeship with them some years ago. He has since tried his fortune in Melbourne, where he did well, and is now going farther afield, having found an opening in the United States. Mr Joseph Carnohan occupied the chair, and in a few well-chosen remarks wished the guest of the evening God-speed. Mr Drummond feelingly responded. The proceedings were diversified with songs and recitations. Mr Drummond, who left by the mail steamer on the 17th, has many friends in Auckland. He is a credit to the profession, and will make his mark wherever he goes.

The half-yearly general meeting of the Auckland Typographical Society took place on the 10th inst. Mr Regan, who presided, gave a summary of the year's operations, showing that the Society had done good work. Mr Blackwood, one of the delegates to the Trades and Labor Council, in a short report, gave an account of the useful work carried on by that body. The principal business on the order paper was to consider a proposal for affiliation with the New Zealand Executive Council, and a number of copies of a draft scheme of federation had been handed round for consideration. As it was evident that the questions raised were too large to be satisfactorily disposed of in a single evening, a special committee was appointed, in conjunction with the Board, to consider and report upon the items to a general meeting. The relations of the Association with the N. Z. Executive are of the most cordial description. A good deal of routine business was transacted, dealt with in the half-yearly report, which was of a satisfactory nature. The following is an extract: « The master printers have expressed in writing their willingness to work their several offices in accordance with our rules, and we can safely say that our Association is in a better position, financially, numerically, and socially, than ever it has been in the past. The female question has been amicably settled, the employers agreeing to give those of them who are out, and those who will come out of their time, the recognized standard wages. » The balance-sheet showed a credit to account of over £40.

You have already recorded the committal of the proprietors of the Observer, a few weeks ago, for an alleged libel on Hugh Shortland, a local solicitor. He, in his turn, has now been committed for libelling a young woman who is employed as a compositor on the Star. It appeared that she had been engaged to Shortland, who is a widower, but on certain facts in his past life coming to her knowledge, broke off the engagement. He then threatened to defame her; and carried out his threat, writing letters to several of her acquaintances, male and female, charging her with immorality. In court he admitted having written the letters, and added that he was not ashamed of them. Later on, he brought a counter-charge of libel against the young woman, which was dismissed. She denied all knowledge of the anonymous letter which formed the ground of the information, there was no evidence to connect her with it, and the court could see no resemblance in the handwriting.