EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 456, 22 March 1890, Page 5

EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

KEEPING UP THE STRUGGLE. Auckland, March 19. A meeting of those interested in the early closing movement was held last evening in the Foresters’ Hall, Newton. There was a large attendance, and great enthusiasm was exhibited. Mr A. E. Devore occupied the chair, and with him on the platform were Messrs Moss, M.H.R., T. Thompson, M.H.R., Revs. E. H. Gulliver, Worker and Dudley, and Messrs A. Kelly, S. C. Brown, H. XV. Farnall, R. J. Souster, J. Beecroft, and S. C. Hall. In opening the proceedings, the Chairi man said the success of the movement depended chiefly on the ladies who did shopping. If they shopped early, very few shops would close late. They must j exercise constant vigilance to keep up the i movement. He advocated moral suasion rather than legislation. He read apologies for absence from Messrs T. Peacock, M.H.R., Monk, M.H.R., D. Goldie, M.H.R., Revs. Messrs Simmonds, Birch, j Best, Salter, A. J. Smith, Laycock, Small-' field, and Aldridge. All expressed their sorrow at being unable to attend, and their sympathy with the movement. The Chairman then called on Mr Moss to move the first resolution. Mr F. J. Moss said the Chairman had asked all to be brief, and to speak to the point. But on such a large question lie himself must ask to be allowed to take ten minutes at least. Since he had come to the colony we had had eight hours as a day s labour—a privilege for which millions were even now fighting. At the beginning of the century the hours of labour were fourteen. Amid a great outcry they were reduced to 12, and 50 years later to ten. Even now in the great Republic of America the hours are ten or twelve. People had a right to a time for rest and cultivation. Shorter hours also cub at the great evil of over production, and this early closing became a largequestion for the whole country as affecting the struggle for existence. In the past these movements affected only the people concerned in each particular trade, but now they were considered to affect the whole mass of the people ; and it was a good thing to see such a body as the Knights of Labour taking up such questions. Unless there existed such a body to watch the interests of the people, their legislatoi-3 would take away their great eight hours’ system. They should rally under the banner of that body, and their motto should be “ All for each and each for all.” They should not allow each section of their workers to be attacked singly, bub should all rally round any one section that might be attacked. He would move the following resolution “That this meeting approve of the action of the Knights of Labour in their endeavours to secure a uniform closing of retail shops at seven p.m. on the first five days of the week, evenings before holidays excepted, and ten p.m. on Saturdays.” He urged them to try the effect of moral suasion in leading people to see that legislation was necessary. Mr Moss concluded amidst applause. Mr T. Thompson, in seconding the resolution, said he thought those moving in the matter were acting in the right direction, instead of trying to act through the Legislature. Two attempts had been made to have an Act passed, and had been failures. Employers would soon find that it was to their interests to have reasonable hours of labour, and people who now shopped at unreasonable hours, it was hoped, would learn the same lesson. In 1887 a Bill was brought in, but it was found that a large number of members were opposed to coercive measures. At the same time it was found that what suited one part of the colony would nob suit another part, and the Bill was amended in all directions. Though he would in all ways support shortening the hours, he thought they were taking the right course in trying to get what they wanted by mutual consent. (Applause.) The motion was then put and carried unanimously. The Rev. Mr Gulliver then moved the second resolution as follows: —“ That this meeting regrets that some tradesmen hold aloof from this desirable reform, and respectfully solicits their agreement <x> it.” He said he had been somewhat anticipated by the remarks of other speakers. About 100 years ago there was a great struggle against slavery, and it had been decided that no slave could exist on British ground. But it was possible to look at matters in the distance, and forget what was going on close at hand. All the time we were looking at Uncle Tom and other negro slaves, we forgot the white slavery growing up at our own doors. Labour carried on 100 far simply became slavery. A Britain might, as it is said by some, refuse to work, but that right probably meant to him the right to die ; for if he had a wife and children depending on him how could he give, up the chance of earning bread? Negro slavery had been got rid of by the power of public opinion, and what was wanted now- was that public opinion should be brought to bear on this question. Let those who held out be led to see. by a clear expression of opinion from the citizens of Auckland, that their present ideas are out of date. Let them imagine themselves in the shoes of the sufferers by our present system of late closing, and they would soon see how bad it really was. Mr A. Kelly said he was somewhat at a loss what to say, for he heard no arguments in favour of late closing. The only question was how they were to bring about early closing. He would suggest that they get Mrs Grundy to say that late shopping was not genteel, and they must succeed. He would second the motion. It was then put and carried unanimously. Mr R. J. Souster moved, “That resolution No. 2 be signed by the Chairman, and a copy of it forwarded to those interested.’ He thought his resolution was a most important one, as it was practical or trying to carry into effect the ideas they had heard. They must try to show everybody that early closing was the best system under which to carry on business. It was a question which aflected every man and his family, for they had children growing up who must) work for their living, and it interested all to have a rational system to work under. Early closing would encourage thrift, for tho housewife must think beforehand of what she needed, and must get her goods in large and cheap quantities instead of small and dear. Mr G. Becrof t seconded the resolution. Mr H. R. Jury suggested that the promoters of the early closing movement should communicate with Victoria to find out how success had there been achieved. . The same fight had been fought there, and with much the same incidents as had been seen in Auckland. But an Act was passed giving every municipality the power to impose early closing on its inhabitants, and it was soon successful. He did not wish to set up his opinion against Mr Thompson’s or the Chairman’s, but he thought they must resort to legislation before they could get this reform. , . , The Rev. Mr Worker moved the fourth resolution, “ That all sections of the community being deeply interested in reasonable hours of labour, their unqualified support should be given to the early closing

movement, and this meeting pledges itself to usee very legitimate means to secureits success. ” He spoke of the advantages of leisure, and of the good time that might come in the future when men would work much less. He also referred to the cutting and crushing which exists under our competitive system. Mr S. C. Brown seconded the resolution. On the broad ground of human sympathy the question must interest them all; and they should all try to help on the movement. In Gisborne he was told that 5 o’clock was the hour of closing, and that was brought about by the public ; and the public'of Auckland must be brought to act in the same manner. He would suggest the distribution of leaflets.

The Ven. Archdeacon Dudley supported the resolution and was received with applause. There was enough waste time now to allow all workers to work fewer hours a day and fewer days a week. He never could understand why these movements should fail ; for if early closing was once started, and two or three drew back, the others need not follow their example, but should stand fast. He hoped they would act in support of the movement in every legitimate manner. Mr H. W. Farnall said he hoped to see this movement successful, and that without legislation ; and he had good grounds for his hope. They had been told that the present House would listen to no measure of legislation, but a new reformed House might. Previous attempts had failed, but they had now an organisation in the Knights of Labour, who as long as they existed would work for early closing. Mr French moved a vote of thanks to the speakers and to the Chairman. The latter had promised a guinea to the movement, and they might notice at the end of the advertisement calling the meeting, that subscriptions were invited. They must have the sinews of war to carry on the movement.

A collection was made at the door, and £1 11s 9d was taken up.