LABOUR AND ROYALTY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4366, 25 May 1901, Page 5

LABOUR AND ROYALTY.

Tho Wellington Tracies Council the other evening oamo very near affirming tho proposition “ That it has no sympathy with monarchy.” The motion, which was lost by tho narrow majority of ouo, must not be taken as representing the sentiments of the working classes on tho subject of monarchical institutions. Tho workers of Wellington arc at least equal in loyalty t.o those devoted shopkeepers of Cuba street and Manners street, who have ’or weeks p-st been carrying on friendly rivalry as to which could do most to ,u tract the Royal procession to pass ■•heir doors. Tho motion was intended as a vigorous protest against the tendency to proclaim holidays on the slightest pretext—a practice that operates severely against working people, whose wages are docked for the lost time. It is all very well for Government servants and employees in banks and offices to have many holidays, for their pay goes on all tho same; but in tho case of the working people it is very different, and retail traders also feel tho punch of the holidays owing to tho decreased spending power of many of their customers. It is a healthy sign to find a representative labour body complaining of tho undue number of holidays. The labour unions have for years past been urging tho Government t.o increase the number of statutory holidays in the year, and have at last been .successful in getting Labour Day so recognised; but apparently the limit has now been reached, and the workers are disposed to “kick” against a multiplicity of idle days. It is said that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” ; but, with his intellect stimulated by the generous system of holidays prevailing iu this country, Jack has got sharp enough to perceive that too much play will make him a poor boy. While it is pleasing to note this revolt against holiday-making, it is to ho regretted that the Trades Council should, have made the Royal visit the occasion of lodging its protest, for, although the poverty of the workers and the

■fjl 1 ',hie hod weather are advanced as e ons for t!;e re oil!tion, there nr.'P. fed to he a lurking '.-u.spici'm

lir members oi the (.ou.'.eil have allowed their republican opinions to :■ way them in the matter. Beyond doubt. ‘hey have subjected the working people of Wellington to grave misrepresentation of their views towards monarchical in .dilutions. A protest .some tnon'hs ago, against holidays that served no other purpose than to arouse a sen'iment of unlit althy and jingoistic

militarism, would have been much more in keeping with the spirit that should aniuuiH the loaders of industrialism. The pres' nt movement against holidays, though ill-timed, ought to he kept alive after the great occasion of three weeks hence lias hi on observed—as we are

sine ii will be—with unanimity ami enthusiasm.