Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-05-29
LABOR IN AUSTRALIA.
Variable Condition of the Laboring Classes
in Australia

variable condition OF the Iaboring Classes
in Australia
George R. Parkin has an article in the
Century, in which he says:
The position of the laboring man in
Australia is unique. He has shorter
hours to work. higher average of paw,
and more distinct and direct political recog-
milton than anywhere else. The combi-
nation among wOrkingmen to give effect
to their views, are the most complete vet
devised. Eight hours is the limit now
fixed by custom is so universal that no law
Is needed to give it force The struggle
by VIII ch this limit was secured in Vic
tOrla, took place as far back as 1856. On
the main street of Ballarat is a monument
erected to the memory of James Galloway
there described as the founder of the
eight hour system in Victoria, and he
died IN 1860. On the same monument is
inscribed the Australian workingman's
ideal, eight hours work, eight hours re-
creation, eight hours rest" To COM
memorate the triumph of labor, the 22d
of April Is observed in Melbourne as a
festival under the name Of the "eight
hours day" A public holiday is proclaim
ed; the trades march in procession: the
corporation, the governor and the leading
men unite IN recognizing and giving sig
nitcan"c to the general holiday. This is
an epoch marked by country which hao-
ply has no victories to celebrate but those
of industry
The shortest days work gives the arti-
SAL an opportunity for an evenings en-
JOyment. Almost universally in the larger
towns but five hours work is done on
Saturday. In the afternoon the workmen
crowd to the public parks or gardens, to
the foot ball or cricket grounds, or 60 up
on excursions to an extent greater than |
have ever observed elsewhere. They have
time for amusements and money to spend
upon them. Judging by all known stand
ards, the worllmer ) paradise is here.
''One asks whether this position won by
industry is permanent, or IS made possible
only by abnormal and temporary coniit-
ions.
1t is clear that AustraIias economic
history is quite exceptional The country
has never been crippled or hampered by
wars. The native population was never
numerous enough to make serious
resistance to the occupation of the land,
and British men-Of war on the coast have
kept off all eXsernal danger. Never did
people walk along safer paths of industrial
prosperity. The product of gold alone
between its discovery in 1851 and 1888.
were nearly f300.00O,00O sterling. In
addition to this there has been a constant
flow of british capital into the country for
every purpose of speculation and enter.
prise. During the last twenty years a sys-
tenn Of state borrowing for the construct.
ion of public works has given steadyness
to the labor market not to be looked for
under other circumstances. Meanwhile
competition in labor has been lessened by
the distance of the country from the great
centers of European population"
That Is very pretty picture drawn from
one side of the conditions Of labor in this
country. 1t is true except as to coloring.
or rather as to shadows which so
the high light as here penciIed. Yet it is
Just such an article as we would look for
In our magazines whose writers wish to
please by presenting such allurem3nts and
who think the common vulgar public have
no right to know any better. We have
grown used to such articles and have al
ways provided with the necessary gain of
sault with which they are to be taken.
Should day laborer go TO that country in
quest of work he would write a different
story, he would put in the shadows to the
above picture, and very different effect
would be the result.
The apprenticeship question has been
placed so far in the background, and bo,
and all the inc)mpetency of half qualified
laborers have been brought so near The
front, that very different picture is pre-
sented to him who is in quest of work in
the trades. 1t has not been very long ago
that England sent over there number of
plumbers who had their contract made
before starting, with return tickets to
secure their return to their homes. There
is such a plethora of incompetent and in
labor, while skilled labor is
scarce. Throughout the building trades
the status OF trades unions is very low and
the predominance of this unskilled labor in
the unions works unfavorable control of
labor which disregards better counsels and
is tending to a dangerous sentiment in
favor of shorter experience at the trades,
poorer qualifications in the workmen and
a greater reduced standard of work. Com
plants of this nature have already come
from Mildura and the colonies where an
amount of poor work is done.