Galway In Days Gone By

1919

Essential publicity

At the conclusion of the quarterly meeting of Galway County Council on Wednesday of last week, the question of the county advertising was discussed. The subject came up at the end of a three hours’ sitting, the great part of which was concerned with demands for increases in salaries.

In fact, if these demands had been cut out, there would be very little County Council left! But the attendance had petered away, and scarcely a quorum was left to decide whether the Council should or should not advertise its various activities in the principal newspapers in County Galway.

The attitude of these remaining members was decidedly friendly and intelligent. But the attitude of the two principal officials of the Council, both of whom took part in the discussion, deserves careful examination.

For it has to be remembered that without publicity – adequate and full publicity – a representative money-spending authority must cease to function healthily as such and may become a danger and a menace to the community.

Moreover, a cardinal principal of democracy is undermined by the refusal to adopt or frankly to submit to such publicity, and the most vicious form of bureaucracy is enthroned in its stead.

Let there be no mistake on this point. We have already seen how necessary. how absolutely essential, is the fullest and frankest publicity in relation to the administration of public bodies in County Galway. It is therefore of relatively greater significance when It concerns the premier spending authority.

Pay increase

Last evening, Mr. E. P. Harte, organiser of the Dock Labourers’ Union, with Mr. P. Garvey, chairman of the branch, and Mr. W. Flaherty, secretary, met the Employers Federation in conference, Mr. Martin McDonogh in the chair, and as a result of an interchange of views an all-round increase of 4s. was granted for all classes of men, with the exception of the workers in the flour mills who have recently had an advance under the Government scheme.

The proceedings were most cordial, and the utmost good-will was displayed on both sides. This brings the wages of the ordinary worker up to £2 5s. 6d. weekly.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app

The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.