The retirement of William Lane

*THE WORKER*

Brisbane, August 6, 1892

BOARD OF TRUSTEES' ANNOUNCEMENT.

THE “WORKER” EDITORSHIP.

It was with feelings of sincere regret that the Board of Trustees had last week to announce the retirement of Mr. W. Lane from the position of editor of the WORKER, which has since its inception been so ably conducted by him. Although Mr. Lane's resignation was handed to us some time ago, at our urgent request he agreed not to ask its formal acceptance until such time as an efficient temporary editor could be secured. In addition to this the trustees hoped that in the mean time there might be some possibility of inducing Mr. Lane to reconsider his determination.

Also it was deemed inadvisable to give the many enemies of the Labour movement any opportunity to misrepresent any possible change in the conducting of the WORKER while this was still indefinite. For these reasons it was not considered advisable to give any official intimation of the resignation earlier than last week. A conference to consider the extension of the WORKER scheme to the Southern colonies was held in Sydney soon after Mr. Lane notified his intention of retirement, and he was selected to represent the WORKER and at the same time requested to use his personal influence in securing the services of Mr. Enest Blackwell, who seemed to the trustees as well as to Mr. Lane himself to be the most suitable man obtainable for the position, and this was accordingly done.

As already announced, Mr. Blackwell consented to accept the appointment temporarily on the conditions laid down in the A.L.F. Rules. About November next the Trustees will take the necessary steps to have Mr. Blackwell's appointment duly confirmed or otherwise and meanwhile feel that the co-operating unions can rely upon the conduct of their journal being as fearless in the future as in the past. Mr. Lane's reasons for taking this step are that he is desirous of giving practical effect to the ideas he believes in, and which are embodied in the New Australia Co-operative Settlement Scheme, to the successful establishment of which he intends to devote his time and energies. In conclusion, the Trustees desire to place on record their great appreciation of the manner in which the WORKER has been conducted and their esteem of Mr. Lane in his connection with the Labour movement generally.

He has given to the people of this province that which all the powers of Capitalism can never take away – knowledge of the unjust and cruel system under which we live. Even his bitterest opponents recognise in our late editor his open and fearless criticism of public affairs and although they have never expressed any love for him personally they recognise his undoubted ability. In giving expression to these feelings of sincere regard for Mr. Lane and his self sacrificing efforts for the people we are confident we do but voice the sentiments of the large majority of honest workers in the Labour Cause. We wish him every success in his new sphere of action and trust the realisation of his en-nobling ideas will be fully accomplished.

For the Board of Trustees,

F. Barnes,

Business Manager.