GRIFFIN, WILLIAM (1811-70), who is regarded as the father of the eight-hour labour movement in Auckland, was a painter by trade, and came to New Zealand in 1850, having seen much of the Chartist movement in Great Britain. At the first eight-hours meeting, which he convened in 1855, he asked the workers, so as not to cause inconvenience and loss, to give employers six months notice of their intention to reduce hours. He was a member of the Provincial Council for City of Auckland (1857-61). Signing himself 'Constitutionalist,' he was a constant contributor to the columns of the New Zealander and the Weekly Register, especially on social topics. Griffin took a great interest in the treatment of New Zealand flax, and on moving to the Thames goldfields, was interested in the Molly Bawn claim. He died on 13 Jul 1870.

Griffin was one of the promoters of the first land association in Auckland, and was on the committee of the Flax-hackle Benevolent association, formed in the seventies by public subscription to give employment by selling hackles.

N.Z. Herald, 11 Nov 1890 (p); Thames Advertiser, 14 Jul 1870.

Reference: Volume 1, page 183

🌳 Further sources