LABOUR AND CAPITAL AND THE WAR.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2483, 9 June 1915, Page 7

LABOUR AND CAPITAL AND THE WAR.

Sir,—May we not expect good out of tlio evils of this war? .May we not expect tbat the object for which great men have been fighting for ages by means of legislation will bo at last achieved by this great aud awful war? I refer to the object, endeavouring to bring tho labourer and the capitalist into closer touch with each other, resulting in a bettor understanding between employer and employee, thus putting an end to the everlasting strikes and labour upheavals. It has been said ■that it is no disgrace to be poor, but mind it might as well be so. Have we to go back to a very early date to remember the time wliou, if a man had a- few thousand pounds, ho would not condescend to speak to a poor labourer in his work-a-day clothes, never dreaming that that rough-looking fellow was doing just as much —if not more—towards moving this world round than he is doing. But to-day are not our eyes opened to see the value of the workingman? In this great crisis who is it that is bearing the greatest burden of this war? On whom does it depend, as it were, for the very existence of our Empire and the cause of liberty and honour and civilisation? Whose noble sons are they who form those mighty armies that would take hours and hours for them to pass by a given point? whose numbers are so great that if massed they would appear like a mighty encircling cloud upon the horizon? Take away the working-man from the firing ! line, and what have you left? Take away the working-man from the Reinforcements, and what have you left? Again, may I refer to the words of that worthy and most able statesman, Mr. Lloyd George, in liis speecli to the ammunition workers? What was the cause of tho fall of Przeinysl? The want of ammunition. And what is the secret of final victory? Abundance of ammunition and guns. This also falls upon the working-mail. Pray, do not misunderstand me, and think that I do not realise that it is largely for the workers' own interest that lie is fighting, as well as fgr other classes. Our motto is still "For England, Home, and Beauty," and we know that "should Germany win" it would bo "God help Labour." Again, do not think that I am thinking that the man of wealth is not doing his part or bearing liis share of the burden, for I know that he is. But I say it is only shoulder to shoulder with the working-man. In fact, he hard-\ ly keeps level, for I think that ho might send more of his sons. Capital is beginning to realise that he must join hands with the worker, not merely as a servant, but as a friend. For what the sun is to the earth, so is one to the other. _ Now, if the worker and the capitalist have to stand side by side on such a footing of equality in such a fierce struggle for very ' existence in times of war, what about remaining on that footing when that looked-for day shall appear and we enter the haven of peace? Glorious in victory, with right and honour and law restored to all. Why should tho moneyed man's sons gain almost all the advantages, for their wealth onables 'them to gain the highest education, and education means advantage of the best positions? Why not let tho State hold all the institutions of education, and the son of tlio worker sit by the side of the son of the capitalist, and let them advance on their own merit? Thus shall we liavo tlic cream of the nation on top and a system of equality and fairness, instead of offering a paltry few free scholarships, and with that combined with tho struggling self-sacrifice of paternal love helping just a few of the working-class to rise in life? , Nay, I say, give every man an equal chance. Thus shall we have a faithful and demoted service and an ■understanding of fairness in every way between employer and employed, and so fulfill the last command of Christ—that ye love ono another. —I am, etc., A. BOND. Awahurij June 8.