LABOUR DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 87, 9 October 1901, Page 4

LABOUR DAY.

The second Wednesday in October is now recognised by statute as the chief festival of Labour throughout the colony, and this fact alone is an index of the political power the "workers," or, to speak; more correctly, the wage-earning classes, have wielded in New Zealand. This annual celebration enables them to look back with justifiable pride over the victories they have won, and to look iorward with hope to the realisation of the ideals they set before themselves. At the present moment they have, perhaps, so far as legislation is < concerned, less to expect than in previous years. For some years they have had the lion's share of the attention of Parliament, and in the immediate future other sections of the community will probably receive comparatively more consideration.

But it is not by legislation alone that the cause of Labour is furtbered. Its dignity, its force, and its claims can only be maintained by the solid worth and ability of the "workers." Every workman who diligently sets himself to acquire skill at bis own trade, who earnestly endeavours to fit himself for the ordinary duties of citizenship, who takes an enlightened and broadminded interest in public affairs, and does his best, to disseminate accurate knowledge among his fellows, is fighting the battle for "Labour" as surely as tho orator or the politician who is ever trying to alter existing laws. "'Labour Day" should remind us of the value of these less showy virtues, and suggest to all workers — employers as well as employed — that in each case the rights and privileges granted by the community carry with them correlative duties and obligations. These Labour Day celebrations keep alive the enthusiasm which makes lor union among the workers, and we trust will also help to encourage a spirit of true harmony between employers and employed by emphasising tho need of mutual respeot as between man and man. A holiday is the time-honoured means of recognising ideals, whether they be religious, patriotic, or ethical, and the ideals of Labour deserve in these days of industrial progress the same public expression as those of the Mediaeval Church or the legendary heroes of the race.'