"PERSONAL LIBERTY.”

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume 49, Issue 7764, 5 August 1921, Page 3

"PERSONAL LIBERTY.”

The Rt. Hon. J. H. Thomas, M.P., in ap article on “When Labour Rules,’’ said; “The hours those engaged in public-houses had been forced to work before the war were terrible. The houses opened at 6 o’clock in the morning dud closed at 11 o'clock at night in the country and half-past 12 in London. It was not right to keep barmaids standing behind counters 'until such times.' How much ill-health and lowered moral tone the business was responsible for can never be computed." In December last, when the New Zealand hotel workers' claim was before the Arbitration Court, Mr. E. Kennedy, who appeared for the Union, said: “The lower-paid kitchen hand must be entitled to a living wage, and I may say that such a worker has never yet received a fair'living wage.” In a tenement case heard in April this year a barman was asked; “How late does your occupation keep you?” “Twelve o’clock, sir,” was the reply. When the hotel workers’ award was published the press report stated that “the Court had fixed 48 hours as the ordinary week’s work. This reduction had been strongly opposed by tire employers.” ’

Yet Labour is invited to back up the "Trade”' in the interests of “Personal Liberty.’’--- N.Z. Alliance Publicity. (8)