Labor Demonstration in Auckland.

Thames Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 7036, 10 November 1891, Page 4

Labor Demonstration in Auckland.

THE EIGHT HOUEB MOVEMENT.

SPEECH BY SIE G GEEY.

Auckcand, Last night. At (be Labor Demonstration held Ibis afternoon in (be Metropolitan Ground, Sir George. Grey delivered au interesting speech.- He coaJDiecced by ssjitig tbat be «r»s io sp»ek opera the vauee of their vsasembiiDg there. -This wbs a very memorable occasion. They sere now enteriog into e,n,e? epoch io the history of the world. Changes of Ibn gretHesl kind were going on, and amongst these changes one of the groates* was the fi«ht hours' labor increment. (Chspr>) YYry 'few ecu'd tell whet wag the stsio of (be labor popalatioD at the peried of his yciitb. ! The saißeryUbat now prevailed in large cities was nothing: to the misery ! tbat preteiled in his yrti'h. Very young, people wei«3 biiug baog^d for qfi'«nces that v cold be > ponisb'vble now by a" few months' iraprisorirDept; fraaapor tatioa was coraraon. Great changus bad coinc oye.r all thf'so tbio^s. What they now souaht was to contioue imfvaremefii in the v ndilion of.laankicd.. Ur.fi of thr> great abases io tbe past was the boura of labor, people being compelied to work io faotorifS and et unhealthy employment for OJireßsonabiy long boars. Great reforms bad already been fff cted io the wsy of Bborfeoioß the hours of labor, and they were present to bring abou' greater forta*. This he felt 4as a boly, causer-a desire to ob'aia a great and m<gbty boon for fell, especially for the weakest part of mankiud,..; The people opposed to this great boon bad got possession of tbe seats of power. In a »cry few yearß it would bo tbooght incredible that such men *hou d bate been able for »o many years to say to the masses of tbtir eoup.trjrnjen, " y. v Bhall not enter into possession of that b->oa you so muob desire."' Wbat was mere extraordinary still, 'be very persons »ba were d-priftd of ihh advantage were boiled to pay tbe iajariea of tbose very individuals who sat in tbe seats of au'ho" sruy andOtliout them cut from that which they desired to.attai»». c hoped they would psrseTfTo io.this great caa^e. Tb»t aYs mb'ajjjo wsa a standiDg proof that they were, dottTiaipei to v fia^t on until (hey echieved what they:'.d.^irsd. to attain (Cbecr§). NpOf: couid deny th^t whit they desired to obtain was'ju'ir, go >d and rij{hteou9-»?bJtt thiir young sh'uid have foajetblog else to str-ve', for tb«n the pursuit of lab r under unhealthy circum Bt&cci9s tor üB/easonable Jiipura. Tb-y bad a right to call this a religious. tsscm. biage for a right and noble purpose He cauld cot but look upon the Hssemtiiy ■as vaa advance guard, leading nien ou -lo ustv Lcpss, us?? fealtua ofj »y. aad pleasure, without", itoubii'-jj to v obtesu ■'beatfits-cf-t-bis-gi-eat-gorL la'l^"gwj2ea'lail^s strict} j speeiieg-; tbsj- cceupied:tbs ;- pc'suibii that :6vsty asaa h&d ces vcte > a'ad bb tsore tdh^isi's}. cad ih&y wps ia iha ■po9iuoo.'fco-wisj..tb.cse.. furtbei I.,advaatageß fan vtbwh i}i6^. fete yhpyr etrivibf»; by meao|^ In every Biep taken in these new countries in thf dinpectioii-of liberiy- and freedom the old "fftisld 'oSuntries were cprnpelied to • fol»', ;tcw; :r: $nj| wry procjesiibij w &6; a dirieot ■!

pursue, end woalcl chow t!)oir Seliow toilers in tho Old Coootry that tb?? could get all they desired by setting ihe one Vote for eVery isaa. If tbey got the Eight Hours' Bill pasead this yesi*, in the following year be t* lt sure in etery Earepeao couiotry their steps woald be follawed, and that grent boon .gained for cann'tlesa ttilljona of people (Clisers.) He asked them to thitik of the good, itreat, nrble, »od Chrisiiauisia^ work.tb^y were pur-uir/g--thfii: of gaining for ibeniaelres aod their felloes time for r?fl-etioa aiid for thoagbt, peace, for the vroru. and tired.laborer, and for those who worked bard and vrho Jieed&d repo6.e; for both mini and body. They should look upoa tbia as a great work -not a mere holiday— os one step i'rward, leadmg to tbe {rredom of labor trom the thralls wbieh had bouud it down for CHD'BrJfs.