ANNUAL HOLIDAY ACT

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1944, Page 3

ANNUAL HOLIDAY ACT

Grey Celebrations

To celebrate the passing of the Workers’ Annual Holiday Act by Parliament, a social evening was held by the Westland Branch of the Wellington, Nelson, Westland and ough Local Bodies’ Labourers’ and Other Labourers’ and Related Trades Industrial Union of Workers, at Herb Moore’s Cabaret last evening. Mr. J. Barrow, President of fine branch, presided over a large attendance, which .included representatives of other local unions and An apology, was received from Hon. Jas. O’Brien.

The first toast, “Fallen Comrades” and “Comrades in Arms,” was proposed by the chairman, who referred to the considerable number of members of the Union who had gone over-' seas.

Proposing the toast to “The Annual Holidays With Pav Bill,” coupled with the Labour Government, Mr. J. Arthurs, immediate Past President of the General Labourers’ Union, Wellington, said the Bill was one of those things looked forward to for many years bv the people, and~ it would have many friends. Many things had been forgotten. The Bill was going to be a great help to those workers not covered by a union or an award. It would give coverage to all non-union-ists. The Workers’ Union would not let the Bill go by unhonoured and unsung. (Applause). Many fights had been put up by the Union for a rest period. Industry should have to make some return to workers, and should have done so long ago. Even the Courts would not provide that rest, and the Labour Government had to step in and do it. To keep, thosebenefits, the Labour Government must be kept in power. The Opposw tion did not oppose it, but that was only a vote-catching action. They would not have given the holiday themselves. The holiday with pay had always been a dream of the late Hon. H. T. Armstrong. The Union, however, should ask for more than a mere annual holiday. To enjoy a holiday, workers must have a family wage. (Applause). What that wage should be he was not prepared to say. Ten 'years ago the country had been on the verge, of starvation, with the granaries full. Men were picking up stones, for 10s a week. The family wage would be_instituted according to a recent pledge of the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), and lie would be kept to that pledge. It had. been one of the Party’s platform planks at the elections. When the boys came back from overseas, the Unions in New Zealand could say they had carried on the fight. There was no reason why a man should not get married, with a family wage in force. The main issue was to establish a standard of living in comparison with production. Labour power was the most important thing in the Dominion at present. Some families at present could not live unless the wife and mother worked also. That should not be. A family wage should/ cover that. The toast was drunk amid applause, Mr. J. B. Kent, President of the Westland L.R.C., replying, said that it was most fitting that a function should be held .to celebrate an act which was a milestone in the legislation of the Labour Government. He advocated more socials of a similar type. Prior to 1899, Labour Unions were more or less friendly societies, but then they swung into politics ana became militant. They advocated a more equitable distribution of wealth. He recounted the formation of the Greymouth Labour Party in 1912 The more co-operation between workers the better it would be. Mr. W. Caldwell, Secretary, Westland L.R.C., proposed "The General Labourers’ Union,” which he described as the most important toast of the evening. By proper cohesion with the Labour Party, Unions would, get somewhere. The workers should support the Labour candidates in the forthcoming local body elections as well as at the general elections. Mr. P. M. Butler, General Secretary of the Union, Wellington, replying, said that the local Executive coula keep the flag flying The Union did not claim kudos or plaudits for the inauguration of the Holiday Bill. Many men concerned in it were dead. The Union, however, took a part, and the Bill’s inauguration would not be> [ forgotten. If there was not sound industrial movement, there would be no sound political movement. The Labour Government had its roots m the industrial organisations, and the Unions should carry on where the men who went from them into Parliament had left off. Labourers and farmers were on the same basis, ana should have no differences, thougn the Labour Party’s opponents desired that. He compared the present world conflict with the political conflict. The spirit of the Unions was. a splendid one. The activating nature of Unionists was to secure something for their families and friends. The power and organisation was great—one man could do little bv himself. The Labour Government was a result or workers’ unity. The benefits were being reaped at present. Soon an adequate wage would be provided for all. The Labour Government would soon give that family wage. Mr. H Trouland proposed “Kindred Associations,” and Messrs F. L. Turley (Timber Workers’ Union), W. Green (Westland Drivers’ Union), J. F. Laing (Dredgeworkers’ Union), F. Walton (Harbour Board Employees' Union), replied. Mr. Turley said that apathy on the part of the industrial movement was responsible for the Government not doing all it should. After the slump the industrial movement grew in numbers, but, he was I sorry to say, not in strength. The time had arrived when, if the Labour Party was to remain in power, the industrial movement would have to wake up. Younger men were required to lead the Government and the Unions. Young men had their chance at the present time, and should come forward on the West Coast.

Items were given during the evening by the following Messrs F. McGrath, R. Gibbons, W. Simpson, P. Butler, H. Brown, G. T. Wallwork, J. Beban and A. Christiansen (piano).