UNITY OF ACTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2420, 27 March 1915, Page 13

UNITY OF ACTION

FOR A GREATER PROSPERITY. The following .expression of opinion on the general question of helping Empire industries was , given by Mr. A. Macintosh, Superintendent for 'Messrs. Palgety and Co.; Ltd. Mr. Macintosh said:— '. A t "The object you' have iu view will not, I am afraid, be; j greatly helped forward by more expressions of individual opinion: these'are. of; little value unless backed up by deeds. . Many will express the fervent hope that the manufacturing interests of Great Britain may be so extended t'hat she. may obtain'and retain much of the trade of countries now at war with us, and whom in the past we, by jour patronage, have so largely assisted to a position' of commercial eminence. Not a few of those may be among thevery first to . throw national' sentiment aside, and bestow their favours whereever they find they can derive an advantage. . 'Sordid sons o' Mammon's line are dark as night.' When .evidence is not wanting to show that at this moment, of. our country's peril some of our own. people are willing for the sake of personal gain to trade with the enemy, . what support can be expected from men of this stamp in a matter of so great importance as this F Great effort will be required to accomplish the object in'view, and it seems to me that the necessary stimulus must come through the Board of Trade, efficiently represented as it is at all tho principal outposts of the Empire, backed- by the. powerful influence of the Press.

"But we are confronted with the question: How are new enterprises to bo built up in view of . the continuous warfare that is being waged between Capital and Labour? This would seem ,to be an insurmountable difficulty. .Compulsion has not cured it, and will not. Could any genius devise means of overcoming this obstacle the way would be tolerably clear. Unity mustbe attained.. Employer and workman alike must realise in no unmistakable way what is required to make our country truly great. While human nature is what it is, can we look for such a consummation?

"Doubtless some will say 'this is tlio i cry.of tlio pessimist.' Pessimism indeed! It is a question of hard facts' that cannot be overlooked.. When we hoar :of .British workmen threatening for the sake of lucre to take action that would mean holding up their brave countrymen at tho front Weeding in defence of their _ country's honour, and, possibly, its existence as a nation, is it not enough to appal the stoutest heart ? What are our people coming to? It will be said that there aro faults on both sides, blame resting on employers an well as men; perhapsthat is so, but it is no concern of mine as regards what I say now; that is a matter to bo settled afterwards. There was' a day when the noble-minded British workin an. would say ''I will work for nothing rather than seo i my country go down.' That would bo his sacrifice, and a heroio sacrifice too. It is sacrifice that is required from all olasses of the community. must be this, and unity of action. Will the. commercial men of Britain - and its dependencies make their sacrifice by renouncing all thought of paltry personal advantage that may, accrue from patronising outsiders now' our enemies, and who, when opportunity offers, may be our enemies again, and combine,with 'heart and soul to increase the material prosperity of our on;n great and glorious land? Will they? Wo shall see.

"(Then let us not like snarling tykes In wrangling be divided Till slap comes in an unco* loon And wi' a rung decide it." "Be Britain still to Britain true 'Amang oorsels united For never but by British hands ilauu Britain's b§ lichtod."-