LABOUR AGITATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1011, 29 December 1910, Page 2

LABOUR AGITATIONS.

Sir,—So far labour unions have' aimed at their betterment by strikes, etc., these being tho only weapons at their comniaiid. All tho industrial world is now under unionism. The desire . for betterment 'pervades all labour unions. The object of • unity is improvement in the''social state of our workers. : The crude methods so far used, like the bow and arrow of tho ancients, have done good work, as now the . world recognises that its toilers liavo to be asked to help before any work can bo successfully carried out. Jn Britain the workers, are just starting to 'fight the capitalists who employ-them. They naturally blame the meanness of these capitalists for their, unsatisfactory state now, which ." fast shows that enlightenment has come to them since education was givonto them. All things and happenings in : this world have had a'beginning iro'm upheavals of one class against the other, but labour and capital must unite, i.e., labour must bo recognised; as playing the principal part, capital the second. Capital must make interest, and labourers must have better conditions and be socially happier ;' : liavo better homes, more recreation, ' shorter hours. Thus atone contentment : c'an be -Obtained. "Capital mustproduce interest, or. its owner will ,soon, .hive no capital, which means industries must ceaie. ; This is tho present trouble, and .will be as long ns. somfc countries produce cheaper than others. . AVhat is now wanted is that all who' undertake a job work together for their own good arid - that of the business they .represent. If capital and, labour don't agree no pcace can. como between them. Antagonism to- each ..other,, causes prices, to., pSe;. jobs can 'not .bo undertaken; the work goe3 to other'.countries, and what was oiico ft flourishing manufacturing centre becomes only an occasional job place. This lias occurred in several shipbuilding yards'iii Brita'n. America', with-her 'improved tools, is doing work Britain has lost through .uncertainty in 'labour; "The labourers are now in America, and like it. better than Britain., All this must cease.' . Labour must unite, with capital throughout tho world; work 011 shares of the contract; do away with all clay labour; arrange with other countries prices payable to. labour arid capital. This is the only solution. ,Onc« 'give labour the same, interest in the work tis capital, and strikes are ended; capital would make its interest, and labour receive its reward. Sweating should bo a' punishable crime throughout tho. world. When capital and '"labour unite nations must also unite. We-shnll theii be: all united. No more money, wasted building navies and armies, all taxes would be less. The money now being spent by Britain and Germany, alone would help establish Government works and manufactories, where labour would .receive fair play. Once labour has a say. in the sale of its product We shall see a mighty change. Co-operation has been a sncqess in several undertakings, .'and is working successfully now— one-half goes to the operatives, one-half to the plant used.. Both parties'are satisfied.—l am, etc., G. H. MACKENZIE. Oparau, December 17, 1910.