A public meeting wp.s held in the Odd -0 fellows' Hall last evening under the auspices of the Amalgamated Shearers and Labourer*' Union for the purpose of considering political matters affecting the workers. Mrs G&rmson occupied the chair, and in opening the meeting spoke of the a ' advantages of Tradea Unionism, and ita ,1 ' elevating effect on the social condition of f the people. Unionism should have for its ultimate aim ami object the bringing about of amicable i elations between l&bour and capital, and more equitable conditions be tween the employed and the employer. r Such meetings as the present were of the. i greatest utility in bringingand keeping " ■' before the Government various matters 1 ! affecting the interests of the workers. fc ! Mr W. Ensc in moved—" That this meet -1 ing enters an emphatic protest against the I | sale of any part of the Cheviot estate, as 'i contemplated by the Bill before the House." i He said there seemed but little need for 1 ! the resolution, as a meeting had been held p not very long ago under the auspicea of ■ the Liberal Association, at which many ' good speeches had been made on the sub • j'ject and resolutions carried. But too much 1 ! could not be said on the land question, 1 ! which lay at the root of all social ques- I j tions, and which had to be dealt with i before any radical change could be ex pected in the condition of the workers. He believed that before very long it would have to be considered whether it was proper 3 I or not for the State to hold all the meanß of production — whether all the founda- I tions of the means of production should f > not be in the hands of the State. Kegard- I 1 ing the Cheviot estate, something was I I wrong, because the Government, after. j affirming that the laad must be purchased ' for the people, started to sell it directly it was acquired. 