Labour Day - then and now

A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa

A look back in time to the beginnings of Labour Day on 28 October 1890 as a commemoration for the 8-hour working day and what it signifies today.

Labour Day, Holidays, Workers, Employment, Trade unions, Unions, Recreation

Labour Day commemorates the campaign by workers for an eight-hour working day. It was first celebrated in NZ on 28 October 1890 when parades were held by trade union members and supporters in the main centres. The Labour Day Act of 1899 created a statutory public holiday on the second Wednesday in October, which was first celebrated in 1900.  From 1910, the holiday was 'Mondayised'  and held on the fourth Monday in October. In various other countries, the first day of May is commemorated as the annual holiday celebrating the union movement and is called May Day.  Nowadays Labour Day is regarded in diverse ways, as captured by cartoonists and news media.

Read more:                                                                                                                                                                                                 'Labour Day', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/labour-day, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 19-Jun-2018 

Image: The procession in Queen Street, Auckland on Labour Day, 1902 with the old eight hours demonstration banner carried in the lead

Back then since 1890

Labour Day processions with 8-hour working day banner were held around NZ by trade unionists

The procession in Queen Street, Auckland on Labour Day, 1902 with the old eight hours demonstration banner carried in the lead

Auckland Libraries

Image: The Eight hour day. 24 October 2010

Nowadays

Labour Day = day off work for holidaying at home or travelling

The Eight hour day. 24 October 2010

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: "I'm calling it 'Caught in the weekend traffic'". 23 October, 2007

Labour Day = 3-day traffic jam over holiday weekend & road toll

"I'm calling it 'Caught in the weekend traffic'". 23 October, 2007

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Evans, Malcolm Paul, 1945- :Labour Day Specials. 22 October 2012

Labour Weekend = sales

Evans, Malcolm Paul, 1945- :Labour Day Specials. 22 October 2012

Alexander Turnbull Library

8-hour working day movement began 1840

Wellington carpenter Samuel Duncan Parnell is credited with starting the eight-hour working day movement in NZ in 1840. When sailing from London to NZ, Parnell had met shipping agent George Hunter on board. After arriving in NZ on 8 Feb 1840, Hunter asked him to build a store on Lambton Quay. Parnell would agree only on the condition that the working day was a maximum of eight hours and said he'd be available from 8am. 

Image: Samuel Parnell, father of the eight-hour day movement

1840: Wellington carpenter Samuel Parnell advocated for 8-hour working day

Samuel Parnell, father of the eight-hour day movement

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

1889: Letter by Edward Player to the Evening Post acknowledging role of Samuel Parnell

SAMUEL D. PARNELL. (Evening Post, 04 December 1889)

National Library of New Zealand

Why 8 hours?

Parnell was said to have argued, "There are twenty-four hours per day  given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the  remaining eight for recreation and in which for men to do what little things they want for themselves."  Dividing the day into three equal eight-hour parts echoed the phrase coined by Welsh manufacturer and labour rights activist Robert Owen in 1817: “Eight hours labor, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest.”  [See: Herbert Roth.  'Parnell, Samuel Duncan', Dictionary of New Zealand  Biography, first published in 1990. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New  Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1p7/parnell-samuel-duncan]

Image: Parnell, Samuel Duncan

Te Ara: Article by Herbert Roth about Parnell

Parnell, Samuel Duncan

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Otago movement for an 8-hour working day

Newspaper articles conjectured that whilst Parnell led the way in Wellington, there was also a movement underway in Otago. The Otago Association adopted 8 hour working day in 1845.  

Article arguing the case for Otago movement beginning before the Wellington movement

THE EIGHT HOURS' SYSTEM. (Ashburton Guardian, 23 December 1890)

National Library of New Zealand

The Otago Association adopted 8 hour working day in 1845

THE EIGHT HOURS SYSTEM WHERE WAS IT STARTED, AND BE WHOM ? (Evening Post, 22 October 1891)

National Library of New Zealand

Counter-argument for Wellington

The Eight-hour Day. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1909)

National Library of New Zealand

Eight hours movement gains momentum

Parnell also canvassed new migrants arriving at the Post of Nicholson to resist those employers who wanted to impose longer working hours. This led to a meeting of Wellington workmen in October 1840 where, on the motion of William Taylor, seconded by Edwin Ticehurst, they resolved to work eight hours a day, from 8am to 5pm. By 1890 the eight-hour working day had become the custom for tradesmen and labourers. However, some workers were employed for longer hours, including seamen, farm labourers, and hotel, restaurant and shop employees. [See: Herbert Roth.  'Parnell, Samuel Duncan', Dictionary of New Zealand  Biography, first published in 1990. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New  Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1p7/parnell-samuel-duncan]   

A settler recounts being advised of 8-hour working day on his arrival in June 1841

THE EIGHT HOUKS SYSTEM. (Evening Post, 15 January 1885)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Wellington Eight Hours Committee

1890: Eight Hour Day Committee including Parnell met in October to organise first Labour Day celebrations

Wellington Eight Hours Committee

Auckland Libraries

Lists the members of the 1890 Committee

EIGHT-HOUR DAY (Evening Post, 20 October 1936)

National Library of New Zealand

Union campaign: 1890 - 1899

The parades that began on 28 October 1890 were part of a union campaign to force the Government to restrict working hours by law rather than custom.  The floats represented different trades, and the banners carried union slogans.  Various Bills were submitted to Parliament to legalise the eight-hour day, but failed to gain parliamentary approval.  

Image: First Labour Day procession, Dunedin

28 Oct 1890: First trade union parade to campaign for 8-hour working day to be set in law

First Labour Day procession, Dunedin

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Report of first Labour Day, 1890

1890: Newspaper article about the first Labour Day observance in Wellington

Report of first Labour Day, 1890

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Eight hours' demonstration in Auckland

1890: Eight hours demonstration in Auckland

Eight hours' demonstration in Auckland

Auckland Libraries

The case for an Eight Hours Bill

The case for an fight hours Bill.* - The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 86

Victoria University of Wellington

Hours of labour in other countries in 1892

HOURS OF LABOUR. (Evening Post, 16 January 1892)

National Library of New Zealand

1892: Trades Council gained consent of Minister of Labour W. Hutchinson to present Eight Hours Bill to Parliament

The Eight Hours Bill. (Star, 09 July 1892)

National Library of New Zealand

Proposed exclusions to Bill include domestic servants and under 16 year olds

EIGHT HOURS BILL. (Taranaki Herald, 13 July 1892)

National Library of New Zealand

The 1892 Bill was voted against 16 to 4

THE EIGHT HOURS BILL. (Tuapeka Times, 31 August 1892)

National Library of New Zealand

1893: Another Eight Hours Bill was introduced

Eight Hours' Bill. (Colonist, 17 May 1893)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Dunedin Labour Day parade, 1894

Annual processions of trade unionists continued

Dunedin Labour Day parade, 1894

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

1898: A further Eight Hours Bill was presented

EIGHT HOURS' LEAGUE. (Auckland Star, 27 August 1898)

National Library of New Zealand

1898: Description of Labour Day celebrations

LABOUR DAY. (Evening Post, 12 October 1898)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Trade union banner

Banner of Westport District Gold Miners' Industrial Union of Workers made in 1899

Trade union banner

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Labour Day Act 1899

Although the Government was reluctant to enforce the eight-hour working day by law,  it did pass the Labour Day Act 1899 to establish a statutory public holiday on the second Wednesday in October, which was first celebrated in 1900. 

1899: Government established a statutory holiday: Labour Day

17 Labour Day Act 1899

The University of Auckland Library

Labour Day holiday: 1900 - 1909 (Celebrated 2nd Wednesday in October)

A. Parades

The floats continued to represent different trades, and the banners carried union slogans. 

Image: The flour millers float in the Labour Day procession in Auckland, 8 October 1902

1902: Flour millers float at Auckland

The flour millers float in the Labour Day procession in Auckland, 8 October 1902

Auckland Libraries

Image: Carr & Haslem's decorated spring cart, the horse of which took second prize

1904: Carr & Haslam’s decorated spring cart & horse which took 2nd prize at Auckland

Carr & Haslem's decorated spring cart, the horse of which took second prize

Auckland Libraries

Image: New Zealand Dairy Association's float of butter boxes

1904: New Zealand Dairy Association’s float of butter boxes at Auckland

New Zealand Dairy Association's float of butter boxes

Auckland Libraries

Image: Weirtheim sewing machine exhibit

1904: Wertheim sewing machine exhibit at Auckland

Weirtheim sewing machine exhibit

Auckland Libraries

Image: Union Collieries Company's exhibits

1904: Union Collieries Company’s exhibit in Auckland

Union Collieries Company's exhibits

Auckland Libraries

Image: Grey & Menzies' mineral water exhibit

1904: Grey & Menzies’ mineral water exhibit at Auckland

Grey & Menzies' mineral water exhibit

Auckland Libraries

Image: Northern Roller Milling boys passing up Wellesley Street

1905: Northern Roller Milling Company, Auckland

Northern Roller Milling boys passing up Wellesley Street

Auckland Libraries

Image: Labour Day parade

1908: Gisborne

Labour Day parade

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Labour Day In New Zealand

Labour Day In New Zealand

Auckland Libraries

B: Sporting & recreational activities

The parades were followed by a mix of leisure activities.

Image: LABOUR DAY CARNIVAL IN AUCKLAND: SCHOOL CADETS PERFORMING PHYSICAL DRILL

1904: Auckland Carnival & school cadets

LABOUR DAY CARNIVAL IN AUCKLAND: SCHOOL CADETS PERFORMING PHYSICAL DRILL

Auckland Libraries

Image: Labour Day Celebrations In New Zealand

1909: Picnic on Wanganui River

Labour Day Celebrations In New Zealand

Auckland Libraries

C.  Increased momentum for Labour Day observance

1906: Railways introduce 8 hour day

Eight Hours Per Day. (Thames Star, 05 April 1906)

National Library of New Zealand

1907: Differing views on date Labour Day is held

Labour Day. (Feilding Star, 10 October 1907)

National Library of New Zealand

1908 Act consolidated the establishment of the Dept of Labour and Labour Day

93 The Labour Department and Labour Day Act, 1908

The University of Auckland Library

Labour Day: 1910 onwards (celebrated 4th Monday in October)

Image: Otago Labour Day Association. 21st Annual Celebration poster

1910: 21st celebration poster in Otago

Otago Labour Day Association. 21st Annual Celebration poster

University of Otago

Image: Labour Day Picnic, 1911

1911: Picnic at Farndon Park, Clive

Labour Day Picnic, 1911

MTG Hawke's Bay

Image: Auckland Motor Cycle Club's Hill-Climbing Competition On Labour Day

1911: Motorcycling in Auckland

Auckland Motor Cycle Club's Hill-Climbing Competition On Labour Day

Auckland Libraries

Image: A cleverly designed exhibit - A.O. Otto and Co's motor car in the Labour Day procession

1912: Car converted to a motorised float for Auckland parade

A cleverly designed exhibit - A.O. Otto and Co's motor car in the Labour Day procession

Auckland Libraries

Image: Trades procession, Labour Day 1913

1913: Hamilton

Trades procession, Labour Day 1913

Hamilton City Libraries

Image: Labour Day parade

1916: Wellington

Labour Day parade

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

By the 1920s Labour Day parades became less of a public feature. Instead, Labour Day was increasingly regarded as just another holiday with a range of recreational pursuits, sports and conferences taking place over the three-day weekend. 

Changing focus of Labour Day celebrations by 1935

LABOUR DAY (Evening Post, 24 October 1935)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Fish caught on Labour weekend at Lake Clearwater, Ashburton

1937: Fishing at Ashburton

Fish caught on Labour weekend at Lake Clearwater, Ashburton

South Canterbury Museum

Image: Scouts Conference, Nelson, Labour Day 1947

1947: Scouts' Conference

Scouts Conference, Nelson, Labour Day 1947

Nelson Provincial Museum

Image: Labour Day Bible Class Rally, Marton

1951: Bible class rally

Labour Day Bible Class Rally, Marton

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Labour Weekend Festival, 1990

Labour Weekend Festival, 1990

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Image: Poster celebrating 100 years of Labour Day Parades, 1990

Poster celebrating 100 years of Labour Day Parades, 1990

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

 Labour Day sentiments of today captured in cartoons

Image: Matariki fireworks

In April 2022, National Party proposed the scrapping of Labour Day to make up for cost of new Matariki Day in June

Union movement disagreed with National's suggestion, saying it showed the party is out of touch with working people

Matariki fireworks

Alexander Turnbull Library

Labour Weekend news: Sales, Traffic queues and Road accidents 

What's happened to the battle for the 8-hour day? 

Image: Symbolic

Symbolic

Alexander Turnbull Library

Tributes to Samuel Parnell

After Samuel Parnell died on 17 December 1890, thousands of people attended his public funeral. He is buried at Bolton Street Memorial Park and his grave is part of the memorial trail.  

Image: Samuel Parnell

Samuel Parnell

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Samuel Parnell

Samuel Parnell (19 Feb 1810 - 17 Dec 1890) became known in NZ as the father of the eight-hour day

Samuel Parnell

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand Industrial Exhibition of Wellington medal

New Zealand Industrial Exhibition of Wellington medal awarded to Samuel Parnell in 1885

New Zealand Industrial Exhibition of Wellington medal

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Samuel Parnell memorial

This plaque was originally mounted at the Wellington Public Library in 1890

Samuel Parnell memorial

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

1891: Memorial Committee formed

THE S. D. PARNELL MEMORIAL. (Star, 16 June 1891)

National Library of New Zealand

23 Feb 1999: Wellington road named Samuel Parnell Road

Land Declared Road Samuel Parnell Road Pursuant to section 114 (1) of th...

Department of Internal Affairs

FIND OUT MORE

Image: Mark Derby

2010: Mark Derby interviewed about the 8 hour day movement, Labour Day and the life of Samuel Parnell

Mark Derby

Radio New Zealand

NZ On Screen: 20 films on Kiwi working life

Labour Day collection

Services to Schools

Image: Labour Day

Labour Day

Christchurch City Libraries