A DAY’S WORK,

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 127, 8 June 1901, Page 2

A DAY’S WORK,

THE EIGHT HOUES SYSTEM,

BEQUEST THAT IT SHOULD

BECOME LAW.

An interesting discussion took place ai the Liberal Association meeting last evening upon the subject of the hours ol labor.

A resolution was submitted .by Mrs Scott to the effect that the eight hours a day system should become the law of the land, aDd that the Premier should be asked to have a measure dealing with the question brought before the House during the coming session. The mover of the resolution considered that Liberal Associations throughout the colony should band themselves together in order to achieve their object. In the Arbitration Court it had been decided that women and boys should work 48 hours a week, but she wished to see it compulsory for all classes. Mr Dower: If you make it 42 hours a week there would be more sense in it. Mr Scott: There is not an artisan in the colony who works less than 47 hours a week. There is no legal eight-hours day. The tendency at the present time is to lengthen the hours of labor. I have watched the thing very closely, and have come to the conclusion that the tendency on the part of employers is to lengthen the hours of labor.

After discussion of a desultory character the motion was altered to read as follows : “ That the Government be asked to incorporate the eight hours movement in the general law.”

This was seconded by Mr Cogar. Mr Dower moved an amendment, making a week’s work to consist of 45 hours. Mr A. Y. Boss seconded the amendment. Mr Scott: You are asking for something that you will not got. Mr Cogar : Let us ask for what we can get, and then afterwards we can ask for more. Public opinion is not ripe enough to bring down the hours of labor too low at present. Mr Dower: The Arbitration Court made it 43 hours a week, and I proposed that as an amendment. Mr Boss : And I second it, for it cannot do any harm at all. Mrs Scott said that she wanted to see eight hours fixed as a legal day, and when half-holidays were given there should be no deduction from the men’s wages. Mr Scott: There are many of the employers in Gisborne endeavoring to bring in longer hours. Nearly every tailor in the place has his men working nine hours a day. At each freezing works the men work nine hours a day. We should try to get a good class of men to come into this colony. Many young fellows here are quite willing to work any number of hours that the boss asks. I went to one of the freezing works and. was asked to sign an agreement for nine hours, and I refused to do it. At both freezing works the men work nine hours a day. Mr Elmsley: If a man chooses to work nine hours a day on piece work he should be allowed to do it.

After further discussion the following resolution was agreed to: “ That the Government be asked to incorporate the eight hours’ system in the general law, a week’s work to be 45 hours a week.”