LABOUR DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20441, 20 October 1934, Page 11

LABOUR DAY.

Holiday Has Lost Early Significance. THE EIGHT HOURS PRINCIPLE. How many holiday-makers on Monday. whether the}' be at the races, playing tennis, or enjoying themselves in the country, will realise to what they owe this welcome break from the office? Mr E. C. Sutcliffe, secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, explained the origin of the holiday to a “ Star ” reporter. “ Labour Day celebrations,” said Mr Sutcliffe. “ had been well-established institutions in the Australian States for many years. Each State had its day set aside for celebration of the coming into operation of the principle of eight hours’ daily work. Even in my boyhood in Australia I can recollect huge banners with the three eights emblazoned on them: Eight hours’ work, eight recreation, and eight sleep.

“ Those Labour Days in Australia w*ere celebrated with considerable pomp and ceremony. There were wellattended processions with flags bearing the emblems of the different crafts and mottos peculiar to each institution. “ Labour Day was an event that was anticipated with considerable pleasure among the working classes. Much work was put into the arrangements, which were regarded as a fitting celebration of the ideals and aspirations of Labour. Labour Uplift in New Zealand.

“ In the ’nineties Labour had undergone a big uplift in New Zealand. The coming of the insulated ship, by means of which the Dominion was able to place its agricultural products on the world’s markets, gave a big impetus to the working classes. This combined with progressive legislation introduced by Mr Ballance and Mr Seddon placed New Zealand definitely on the world Labour map. In fact, it was freely said that New Zealand would become an object lesson to the world in this class of legislation. “At that time N.Z. Labour legislation excited the interest of Labour administrations in other countries to such an extent that delegations were sent from U.S.A. and Great Britain to make reports on their observations. Prior to the busy times in the ’nineties many artisans and Labour men had visited Australia to attend the Labour Day celebrations and it was proposed to Mr Seddon that a day be set aside to celebrate the achievements of Labour in New Zealand—to be Labour’s national holiday.

“So when Parliament passed the Labour Day Act in 1899 the national holiday came into being. Since that time there has been only one change in the provisions of the Act and that is that where the original Act laid down that the ' second Wednesday in October of each year should be known as Labour Day, it was later changed to the fourth Monday in October. This was done to extend the holiday into a long week-end.

“ But the spirit in which Labour Day was set aside has been long dead. It is a meaningless holiday to-day and now merely provides another fixture on the racing calendar.” .Monday’s Attractions.

There has been an attractive sporting programme arranged for Monday. The Amateur Cycling Club will hold the second race for the Hope Gibbons Cup starting at the Papanui Hotel at 8.30 a.m.

The United Bowling Club is holding a tournament.

Sports meetings are being held at Ashburton and Southbridge. The Canterbury Yacht Club has arranged a picnic on the foreshore near .Ripa Island. Cricket matches have; been arranged between Canterbury Colts and Ellesmere at Doyles ton; Canterbury Colts and North Canterbury at Rangiora; and Canterbury Colts and Malvern at Darfield. • Open day for golfers will be held at Shirley, the mid-Canterbury tournament will be continued at Ashburton and there will be a ladies’ day at Harewood. The North Canterbury Club’s meeting to be held at Rangiora, is the only racing fixture in Canterbury, but the Oamaru Trotting Club’s meeting is also likely to draw a great number of patrons. ___——.———