LABOUR DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 250, 22 October 1928, Page 5

LABOUR DAY.

OLD-TIME SIGNIFICANCE.

PROCESSIONS OF YEARS AGO.

THE WORKERS "DAY OF DAYS."

"As the huge procession passed up Queen Street there ahead of it stood the silent figure of the great statesman, Sir George Grey, whose eloquent advocacy of the rights of the workers in years gone by undoubtedly contributed not a little to the possibility of such a gathering as that witnessed in his favourite city, this day."

The foregoing extract from the "Auckland Star" of October 11, 1905, taken from a seven-column report, shows the great public interest taken in Labour Day in the early part of the present century. There can be no doubt that Labour Day has lost its old-time significance. That which was a "day of days" for the workers has degenerated into an ordinary "day off," when everybody goes his own way and nothing outstanding— save a Labour Day sports gathering— marks an outstanding event in the emancipation of the toiling masses—the eight-hours day legislation. It is only natural that the fervour should have cooled with the passing of the years, but there are many thousands in Auckland who have happy memories of Labour Day holidays, with their splendid processions and sports. The 1905 Celebrations. The celebrations in 1905 was perhaps one of the best ever held in Auckland. The patron of the sports was the late Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, Mr. R. J. Seddon; vice-patron, Mr. A. Myers, Mayor of Auckland, and general secretary and organiser, Mr. Arthur Rosser, who is still prominent in Labour circles. Employers joined in the demonstration, and business firms vied with each other to make the best trade display. Many of the exhibits in the' procession showed great ingenuity in their conception, while the comic element was always well represented. The route was along Queen, Wellesley, Hobson and Pitt Streets to Karangahape Road, thence to Symonds Street, over Grafton Bridge to the Domain, thousands of residents lining the route of march.

In the "Star's" 1905 report is the following: —"One of the most elaborate of the displays was a skit on the new plumbing regulations by the Bush Tinkers', and it was cleverly conceived and carried out. It was on a cart drawn by two horses, the shafter of which was a podgy animal, endowed for the nonce with bullock's horns; the leader was a thin, dejected, raw-boned hack, with a mournful countenance, and also endowed with temporary horns, likewise an udder. This weird team was driven by a quaint individual clothed in garments contrived out of wheat sacks, with the tin label 'By Exam.', conspicuous on his manly bosom. On the cart were various legends, chief of which were: 'Bush Exam., 11,906; first-class stiff-cat, guaranteed by George George, examiner, 11,906'; 'This is to certify that the Bush Tinkers have passed the Auckland City Council's exam, for sanitary plumbers."' To Interest the People. The flourmillers were conspicuous exhibitors in those days, and oatmeal and other products were distributed from the gaily decorated wagons. Lolly-makers were always popular with the children, and many pounds of boiled confections were thrown about by tradesmen in white suits and caps. The Darktown fire brigade, knights in armour, and masked men depicting, "robbery under arms," were amongst the features that made the procession a success. The licensing question was as evident then as now, and brewers vied with prohibitionists in an effort to impress the multitude. The railway workshops made a fine display, a feature of which was a working facsimile of George Stevenson's first railway engine, in operation in 1825. This was built by Newmarket railway employees. All the glitter and the glory has gone. To-day is a holiday marked by a Labour sports gathering in the Domain, and race meetings at Whangarei and Cambridge. Many people went to the country and seaside, a big exodus of motor vehicles being a feature of the morning.