THE HOURS OF LABOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8154, 2 April 1906, Page 4

THE HOURS OF LABOUR.

Pkopi.b often speak of the dignity- of labour as if it was sridely appreciated in this colony, bat judging by indications it will soon be a mere figment of tlie mind. There in a fast> growing tendency to shirk work and obtain a maximum amount of pay for & minimum amount of labour. It» disclosed in demands made by unions to tlw Arbitration Court. Eight hoars bin long been recognised as a fair day's work, but in some trades employees consider seren sufficient, while in Australia some months ago the Laboui Parly had the effrontery to advocate a six-hour day. Such demands at these show tlie trend of feeling among the workers, and if conceded the efteci must be disastrous upon the commercial and industrial life Of this country. In addition to tlie desire tc shorten forking hours, holidays are « demanded on days when business should be m full swing, while th* concessions already made in ihta respect have unsettled labour to the extent of increasing the desire to be away from work in search of pleasure, A reasonable amount of recreation is beneficial, but the bounds of pmdence have been overstepped in JSew Zealand long ago. With many employees pleasure takes precedence of work, and it is regrettable to state that employers haie contributed to that Tlufl fact was proved at Stratford recently. On three afternoons in one week in that town recently nothing conld be putchased, and on the Saturday the banks were closed all day. And then shopkeepers complain that trade is doll! Certainly we have not pandered to the holiday craze to the same extent m Palmerston, but generally speaking the closing custom is overdone and the sooner workmen and employers face the matter and arrive at a more satisfactory understanding the better it will be for the colony as a whole. Legislature haa i fixed a weekly half-holiday for shops and ollices and provision is made for those engaged in other avenues of employment. Only under very exceptional circumstances such as> an agricultural and pastoral show, which assists so largely the development of the country, should the recognised holidays he exceeded, and if curtailment could .be effected the employees would benefit as well as employers. The prosperity of the colony has, to some extent, people careless, and over-indulgence in pleasure has been encouraged. , Bjit lean years are bound to come, and if the most is made of present opportunities there will be less regrets in the future and a fewer number ol persona m bitter contemplation of their folly.