Turning to the attitude of tho unions towards politics Mr Bidmeado said tlioy wero dotormiuofi to hold aloof from gonor.il politics, they would havo nothing to say about freetrade or protection, about property tax or lani tax, or any auoh matter*, but m such matters as hours of labour, factory inspection, anything dirootly bearing upon labour thoy would assert themselves. In reference to inspection of factories he condemnod tho appointment of police officers for this duty, as for many reasons likely to perform it m an inefficient manner. Another political question tho unions must attend to was tbo election of legislators, and ho explained how the adoption of tho Hare system would enable unionists to secure the return of a number of candi dates of their choice, which thoy could not do at present. In conclusion Mr Bidmeado said they had eoen unionism jn its germ, thoy now saw its oproading branches j wijaj; would bo its fruits ? So long ns tho soaietiei wore cojjduptod gn principles fair to all mon ho had no doubt that their course would he upward and onward until tho people of this colony, and thoße of the other colonies wero united m brotherly bonds, working truthfully and oarnostly for tho beneot of both employor and omployod. Mr Bidmeade, who gave a long and interesting address, whjch we are compelled to condonse, wos frequently applaudod, and warmly bo when ho sat down. Mr Aplin, obtaining leavo to ouy v few words, Bpoko strongly m favour of unions, and mentioned a fow local insttinoos to show the need of thorn. Ho asked whothor it was right for tho Goraldino County Council to object to pay 7s a day for a fow days' c*Biml work, and still moro, wa« it right for a mem ber to Bay if thoy fossicked round thoy could get mon for 5s a day. Ho was grcallv applaudod for condemning the proposals to writo " pjiupor " over tho hoads of natients iv the hospital who oould not pay, and" was glad thore wero «omo humane mombers on the board who would not havo it. ITo thon spoko of the accommodation for employees on stations, and occasioned somo laughter by Inn description! of tbo " abominublo" places some slatjon owners provided fqr thoir mon— thoir stables and dog kennels wero palucos m com parison. 