THE Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1894. EIGHT HOURS A DAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2636, 22 March 1894, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1894. EIGHT HOURS A DAY.

The Government of England have, according to a cablegram, introduced an Eight Hours’ Bill, which is to affirm the principle that men must only work 48 hours a week iu the dockyards. If this passes the general application of the principle to all kinds of labor is only a matter of very little time. This is a principle which Mr Gladstone strenuously opposed, and it is rather ominous that it is now introduced within a few days of his resignation. Still we have no hope that it will be carried, for the working people of England are not agreed on the subject. The late Mr Charles Bradlaugh, who was undoubtedly a Radical of very advanced views, and who for a time voiced the thoughts, the wishes, and the aspira tions of the masses, was a most deadly and uncompromising opponent of t measure. Mr Bradlaugh was an in-, dividualist of the most pronounced type ’ he believed in perfect liberty, and it was on the ground that it would be an infringethent p£ man’s freedom 'that he opposed the measure. He held that the State had ho right to dictate to any man or number of men how many hours they should work ; and argued that they ought to have liberty to work whenever they liked. Many of the Trades-Unionists are also opposed to the eight hours a day system, more especially in Lancashire, where the cotton industry nourishes, but no doubt their opposition proceeds more from fear of foreign competition than from the principles which Mr Bradlaugh made the rule of his life, dr from any desire to work lon get? than they are forced to. It is surmised, and hot without reason, that if the hours of labor are shortened the cost of production will bo greater, and that consequently England cannot compete with Continental countries, working 12 or 14 hours a day, and sometimes on. Sunday; There is a great deal iu this, and we believe this is what is influencing the opinions of the TradesUnionists who are most likely, to be affected by Continental and American competition. Still England has for many years worked fewer hours and paid better wages than Continental countries, and yet she has successfully competed with them. The superiority of her workmen and her machinery has enabled her to do so, and she would be far ahead of them all only for her fetish-worship of freetrade while her competitors are protectionists. It is an absolute truth that long hours and low wages cause the quality of labor to deteriorate, while shorter hours and good wages produce better results at any rate comparatively speaking. A little 100 over years ago in England men were reduced to such a state of abject misery that the employers cried out against the quality of the labor they were able to get; the condition of labor has since improved, and the quality has improved also. The hours of labor iu England have already been shortened from 12 to 10 hours, and it has frequently been remarked that no loss has been sustained by it. In the same way wo believe that no loss would bo sustained by reducing the hours of labor to eight now, because the quality of labor would improve at the same time. But putting all other questions aside there cannot be the slightest doubt that to reduce the hours of labor is the proper thing to do. It is not right that millions should be looking on iu idleness, misery, and starvation, while others are working and' enjoying the good things of the earth. This is the cause of tire unemployed; and the cure for it is to shorten the hours of labor. Wo are crying out for a distribution of the laud amongst the people, but why not distribute the work amongst the working classes also I There is no reason why this should not be done; while there is every reason why it should be done. It is a truism that no man who is willing and able to work should not want work, but there are millions thus circumstanced, who would willingly work if they could only get it to do. To shorten the hours of labor is the ouly remedy for this, and we are glad the Government of England is putting in the thin edge of the wedge. In the course of time other countries will follow their example. MR GLADSTONE. The Newcastle Borough Council has suggested that Mr Gladstone should be invited to visit the Australian colonies. This looks ridiculous at first glance; it looks absurd to invite a man who is 85 years of ago to undertake such a journey, but on reconsideratiou it appears that the change would tend to prolong his life, while such an invitation would be a graceful tribute to the illustrious old man for the grand services he has rendered the empire during his 62 years of public life. There is nothing more dangerous to the life of the aged than the rigorous winters of the Old Country. Mr Gladstone could avoid this danger by a visit the to Australian colonies. Lot him leave Home towards the end of September, and arrive iu the southern hemispherein budding spring. He can put iu the next six mouths very comfortably in the full enjoyment of our balmy summer. It is possible for anyone who has sufficient money uow-Jkd&y.s to enjoy “eternal summer,” as Oiaiiqa Mpinotp has it. Leave England at the end of tyeptoiubgr; arrive in these colonies in the beginning of November; leave hero on the return journey at the end of March, and reach England in the beginning of May Nothing could ba more delightful; the palatial accommodation on board such vessels as are now plying between these colonies and the Mother Country rids the journey of any inconvenience whatsoever. The vessels are so large that the rolling and tossing experienced on board the little sailing vessels of 20 or 30 years ago are unknown now. Take fie ~ for instance : It is 500 feet long, UOu*~- 1 1 ° and all the smJ 011 accommodation is ou the hurricane deck. It is fitted up every conceivable luxury, calculated to please the eye as we'l as to provide comfort that most give satisfaction to fie most fastidious. Dining rooms, a noting rooms, social halls, double and .single beds; everything that could bo desired, and all decorated in the most extravagant manner. Inconvenience or discomfort is imp ssible on board such vessels as this, and consequently wo see no reason why (he Grand Old Man should not come to see the great progress which has been made iu the vast British territorial which have sprung up during his o.vn liredme. 'ihe oulv question involved is Mr Gladstone's eyesight. It is said that, he it as vigorous as ever in mind and body, only for his eyelid, but th-'H that haa leaded a stagy

when an operation has become absolutely necessary. In the event of the uousuccess of the operation, we need entertain no hope of seeing the Grand Old Man in the southern hemisphere, but if he recovers his eyesight there is no reason why he should not visit us. If he comes he will receive such an ovatio > as has seldom been accorded to a human being.