NEW ZEALAND LABOUR LAWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11231, 31 March 1897, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND LABOUR LAWS.

ME BEN TILLBITS VIEWS. [Per Press Association.J ~ ■ AUCKLAND, March 30.

At .the Tailoressss’ Hall, Cook Street, a function of more than ordinary interest to those associated with the labour movement took place, in'the form of a welcome “ social ”.. to Mr . Ben Tillett, the. 1 English labour leader. There was a crowded attendance, including representatives . from several local labour organisations, and a large number of ladies.Mr Fraser, chairman of the' Trades and Labour, Council, presided. , Mr Tillett, who was warmly received, said that during the course.of his tour through the colony he had been favourably impressed with the prosperous state of affairs that appeared to prevail, and with the fine physique and generally happy conditions of the inhabitants. of this favoured, land. He dealt at some length with the advancement ox the socialistic 'movement in England, America and bn the Continent, and pointed out the advantages to be gained by the organisation of labour bodies, and unanimity of purpose the whole world over, in bringing about the betterment of the masses. New Zealand’, he was pleased to note, had its labour laws, but he feared that these were not being properly applied. With Chinamen miners working seven clays a week the result could not bo healthy, as the capitalist would eventually veer round to the opinion that if one could work Seven days a week so could the other; and if they were not careful they would all, in time, find themselves in the same position as Chinamen and miners. i