I am strongly of opinion that the Trades-Union, with all its imperfections, is a necessary institution, good for the employers, and good for the general welfare….. All employments prove the axiom: Where Unionism is weak, wages are low.—William Blades.

The Halfyearly meeting of the Auckland Typographical Society was held on Saturday evening at Robson's Rooms, and was well attended. The report and balance-sheet for the period ended 31st January, 1891, contained reference to the late maritime strike, to which the Typographical Association contributed £83 1s 6d, leaving a sum of £12 14s, most of which had been collected since the strike terminated. It was resolved to devote this balance to the formation of a fund to provide out-of-work allowance, etc., for members. The question of deferring affiliation with the Australasian Typographical Union was considered by the Board on December 13, and after mature consideration it was thought advisable to defer the matter for the present pending further consideration of the subject. The Society's relations with the Master Printers' Association have been on the whole of a very satisfactory nature; and though there are rumors that the latter is likely to be broken up in consequence of the « double dealing » of certain firms, they trust that such a calamity will be averted; and urge upon every member of the Society to do their best to prevent the breaking-up of an Association, which, although not twelve months old, has already done something towards removing a few of the disadvantages under which we previously labored. Letters were read from several master printers consenting to work according to the new rules of the Association, and Messrs. Kelly and Baulf wrote declining to make different arrangements regarding the employment of female labor. Officers were elected as follows:—President, Mr James Regan; Vice-President, Mr Thomas S. Gibbins; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr R. B. Nesbitt; Trustees, Messrs. Ziegler and Lepine. Votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring officers, and to the master printers for concessions granted and for the courteous manner in which they have received several deputations from the Society.

At the beginning of this month printerian matters were very brisk, and several extra hands were taken on at the Government Printing Office, but last Saturday they were told off again, with the expectation that things will look up again after the Easter holidays. The private offices have been fairly brisk, and one old firm has gone into new premises; Messrs Haggett & Percy, who for some time had been the lessees of the New Zealand Times jobbing office, having started for themselves in the old Union S.S. Co.'s buildings, where they are getting a fair share of the work of this city.

The great topic of the month in Typographic circles has been the proposed delegation from the N.Z.T.A. to wait upon the meeting of the Master Printers' Association in Dunedin, during the first week in April, with the object of bringing the two bodies more in touch with each other than they have yet been, and also to discuss some plan whereby the interference of outside bodies with the printing trade may to a large extent be done away with. The meeting is bound to result in good, and both associations have taken the proposition (which emanated from the Canterbury Typographical Association) up with spirit. At a meeting of the Executive Council, N.Z.T.A., last week, to consider the matter, that body determined to arrange for each of its branches—Napier, Wellington, and Otago—to send a delegate at the Council's expense, and also decided to appoint a delegate to represent the Council. Auckland was also asked to send a representative, but stated in reply that funds would not permit. Canterbury, I believe, sends its efficient and popular secretary, Mr Gerard; Napier also sends its secretary, Mr Carruth; Wellington has appointed as its representative, Mr John Rigg; and I have not yet heard who is to represent Dunedin.

Trade is not in a flourishing state, several members walking about, who would gladly seek a more favorable field if their finances would permit. Mr T. E. D. Fox, who some time ago dropped his stick and took to station-work, lately left for Australia, where other New Zealand comps have met with good success.

At the half-yearly meeting of the Hawke's Bay Branch of the N.Z.T.A., the balance-sheet showed a credit balance from last half-year of £11 3s 6d; receipts from all sources, £22 14s; expenditure, £27 5s; leaving a credit balance of £6 12s 6d. The report showed that during the half-year 11 members had joined and 11 had left, leaving the number at 36. It set forth at length the action of the Board during the strike; also the negociation between the Board and two country newspaper offices in regard to the admission of the latter into the roll of society houses. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr D. Archibald, the present Acting-Secretary, was appointed to the office for the unexpired term of six months. Votes of thanks were passed to the President, Mr J. H. Long, and the Secretary, Mr J. Carruth, for their efforts in endeavoring to have a branch of the Master Printers' Association formed in Napier, and regrets were expressed that these efforts had not been successful.

The proposals laid before the master printers in reference to tendering were: (1) That no tender be sent in for local bodies' work. (2) That a minimum price be agreed upon for tendering. (3) That each office tender for different bodies' work at its own price, position to be decided by mutual agreement, and rotation of tendering to be changed each year. The reply of the Herald was that while fully sympathising with the objects of the movement, and willing to give all assistance, they thought that so long as three daily papers were published in Napier, it would be found impracticable. The manager of the News replied to the effect that he had already made an attempt to bring about an understanding, but without success. He added: « At present the work of public bodies is done for next to nothing. » The proprietor of the Telegraph curtly replied that he had no reason to believe that any need existed for a Master Printers' Association, and he considered it out of place for employees in other establishments to raise the point as to the management of his business. A reply was sent telling him that he had completely misunderstood the objects of the Typographical Association.

Mr J. Langley, foreman of the Herald bookbinding department, has entered the holy estate of matrimony; and he and his partner have the best wishes of the Craft in Hawke's Bay for their future happiness.