THE GOVERNMENT’S PERFIDY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 524, 28 October 1890, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT’S PERFIDY.

“ Demonstration day ’’ is responsible for one unfortunate thing. Why any holiday should bo declared to-day at all is a question whtoh we have noli yet seen satisfactorily explained. The complaint has always been that there are far too many public holidays observed in the colonies, and this is no insignificant matter to workmen who must obseWth# hrfliday whether or not they are granted the day’s pay. The eight hours movement Ims nothing to do with the recent strike, and there is no reason why anyone should offer objection to a demonstration of the kind, so long as it is hold on one of the numerous days that are devoted to the cursed racing mania, or on some of the many public holidays. But the present Government wanted to give the Labor leaders a sop, for 'electioneering purposes, and not only agreed to declare a puidin holiday, but notified in the Gazette (October 111) that "Tuesday, the 38th of •Ootdber, will bo ohsorved ns a ptrblic holiday in the Go-ernment offices tnrought New Zealand,’’ signed by the Premier. In- the face of this, because a little backstairs influence has been brought to bear, instructions .have been given that the post and telegraph offices are not to- be closed. All the other offices are to be closed, and the officers given a. holiday at the expense of thb taxpayers, nm.ny.eJ'b’hom eanoct afford one. themeelves, but the hardest-worked officers of all are to be denied the privilege 1 We are afraid that instead of a day of rejoicing, the day will now be a dear one for

New Zealand. Little things liko this rankle for years in the minds of people who would pay little attention to a great question of political policy, and they are bound to resent, it when ths opportunity comep. The -holiday ought either to have been refused, or have been given graciously: the Government has done neither—it- has given a distinct pledge, an l then treacherously broken it, and again tried to keep smooth with both sides by permitting a holiday to one portion of the public service. In Gisborne the question does not concern us much locally, and except for ths races (which manage to attract people, wot or dry, holiday or no holiday) no one would care much about the holiday. Those who can afford it can always please themselves, and those who cannot should be content to live within their means.