MAY DAY 1895

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE, MAY 4, 1895.

Eight-Hour Day.

The general opinion is that Eight-hour Demonstration on the 1^st of May was an improvement upon that of last year. There were many displays, and there were more men in the procession. A glorious day greeted the members of the unions as they got in-line, and the procession, with its splendid bands and beautiful banners, passed off with the slight hitch occasioned through a telephone-wire catching in the framework of one of the leading banners. The boot trade union had the greatest number of members in the demonstration, and deserve great credit for the muster. A smile lit up the faces of the members of this union as they marched passed “Neddy” Neighbour's boot factory, where about twenty young boys, from about 10 years of age upwards, stood outside the factory with aprons on and sleeves rolled up viewing the procession. The smile disappeared at the thought of Mr. Neighbour keeping the young lads at work on a day when all who have to labour for wages should rejoice and be glad. Some of the boys above mentioned would be better in the playground of a school than in the dingy room of a factory.

The Types, had a fair muster only, as also had the Early Closing Association. This is a pity, for every worker – whether by hand or brain – should lend a hand (and a foot) to make successful a demonstration which is fraught with such important issues to all workers. Many thousands of “collar prond” wage-earners stood on the footpath on Wednesday last when they should have stepped out with their fellow men. It’s a dirty pride that hasn't the courage to walk in a time honoured procession which has grown so respectable that very few men are now boycotted for taking part in it.

The seamen had a very fair crowd, as also the boilermakers. The A.W.U. - the new union which has been formed in Brisbane for the purpose of giving an opportunity to men engaged in mental work to show their sympathy with trade unionism, and to gather into the fold the unorganised workers of every description – had about thirty members present, headed by a new banner, “Brain and Muscle Unite,” which was painted in an artistic manner, free of charge, by a strong labour sympathiser This new union has amongst its members Messers. T. Glassey, J.M. Cross, M. Reid, J. Wilkinson, R. King, labour members, who all walked in some section of the procession. The editor of the Chronicle and the editor of the WORKER are also members; and invitations have been sent to other journalists to join the union.

The carpenters mustered something over 30 members and the plasterers about the same. When the building trades revive, these last named unions will be in a position to make a better show. The boiler makers and ship builders had three displays in the procession – a locomotive boiler and expansion flue, a locomotive tender in course of erection, and a large tubular boiler. The tobacco twisters had the prettiest display – a decorated trolly drawn by four horses, on the trolly being colonial-grown tobacco worked up into various designs. All the members walking smoked long-stemmed clay pipes. The stonemasons provided a large block of stone which was worked at by one of the craft. The members of the Fire Brigades brought up the rear of the procession with a magnificent floral decoration of half-a-dozen reels.

Bellamy's Coach did not put in an appearance this year, there being some objection on the part of some of the committee to a political display. It was intended by the radical element to put in the procession a donkey labelled “National Ass,” and ridden by a very fat man, but this idea did not find favour and was abandoned, as was also a living picture of Tozer's eleven unemployed. No doubt the political displays do interfere some what with the collection of donations, but generally speaking we think the business people would give prizes just as readily if the procession were enlivened by a few good political skits. This donation business wants a little looking into. The commemoration of a grand movement should not be made subservient to the whims of a few capitalists who have no real sympathy with the Eight-hour movement.

At the Exhibition Grounds about six thousand persons were present to witness the splendid programme of sports and otherwise enjoy themselves. Mr. Smith's Band played several selections

in front of the grand stand, which all could hear to advantage. The sports were well carried out, thanks to the committee, who worked hard. A splendid exhibition of physical drill was given on the lawn by the boys attending the Valley State School under the direction of Mr. R. Catherwood. The boys went through the various exercises like a well-regulated machine. Their action and singing were in beautiful harmony, calling forth the thought that if the State can teach children to so work together for their physical development those children, when they grow to manhood, should set aside the anarchical system under which all work to-day, for a system in which there will be no sweating dens and no bare subsistence wage. A little excitement was occasioned by the conduct of a few of the rowdy element, who wanted to encroach on the running ground. One young man in the Hurdle Race made himself obnoxious to everybody by lifting up the light hurdles and throwing them to the ground during the race, only the man at the limit who was never caught being given a chance to jump. The The Half-mile Hurdle race was thus completely spoiled. The offender has been disqualified for life. There was very little drunkenness on the ground, in fact there appears to be less and less inebriety every year. Altogether those who attended the Eight Hour Demonstration and sports this year appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves, and will no doubt look forward to next May Day with joyful anticipation.