LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 255, 23 July 1919, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

INDUSTRIAL UNREST

Sir,—Your most interesting report of the speech made by the Hon. T. M. Wilford prompts me to ask your indulgence of space further publicity to the idea in which ! am sure the Minister has struck the right note in regard to a solution of coming trouble between Labour and Capital, which, if combated at an early Stage, will savo much suffering and inconvenience. Could not a country like this appoint an industrial council, comprising men from all parts of the Dominion, unbiassed business men, and some Labour men, to discuss all points of difference and endeavour to reach an amicable decision'/

At this time of grave industrial unrest I consider that something consisting of a small body comprising experienced representatives of organised Labour and Capital should be set up, so that we could obviate the necessity of being hampered by industrial upheavals ere they take place. Surely after the bloody struggle in which all sects and all classes mingled as common men and shed then hte-blood for the cause of right, we can now sow the seed of a co-operative scheme whereby all classes engaged in production can solve the problems connected with the unrest that continually assails tho worker. I feel that it is only by some such mutual spirit that the dangerous growths of discontent may be checked and saved, from threading. The war of business competition will now start in earnest, and we can, in its case, sound a peace note throughout the Dominion by trying to hasten a friendship between employers and employed. The only way, to my mind, is by mutual helpfulness and immediate action along sound business lines, by a right-thinking and unbiassed Government. A body ot experienced Labour and Capital counsellors, placed on an equal footing, will undoubtedly hasten to elucidate the most effective method of co-operation, and that really is the crux of a solution that will appeal lo the majority of tho people of both sections.

A vast deai of ignorance exists amongst I (lie employed regarding the mau.v difficulties that beset the employer, and if the position were placed in a wear aiid simple maimer betore them it would be easily proved that nine business men out of ten are really anxious to pay more, and not less, wages. looked at even •t ! i'oin the most mercenary viewpoint, that of self-interest, this is the real case. , As it rule the higher the wages the greater Uie production and the cheaper the product. If employers would only be frank with their men there would be a similar openness on the other side, and gradually the desire to work in the best interests of each and all would spread. The realisation ol' the ideal of self-help and mutual trust—and it can he easily reached— would brighten industrial life, make men more contented, and keep tile spectre of the strike in the background. Conferences between employer and employed, at which the difficulties which confront both are freely discussed, enhance the spirit and value of an organisation and tend •to betterment in every direction. In my own business we hold them and find them u distinqt gain. Labour must be well paid, but the man who demands high wages without giving efficient production in return injures himself, and is simply being unfaithful to every other wage-earner. We have to get it firmly implanted in our heads that as a people .we cannot be independent of each other, that the honest prosperity of each one is to the beueflt\ of tlie rest of us. If we overcome/ the often obstinately-pursued misunderthat divide Labour and Capital, and dispel the idea that there must inevitably be strife between them, we Hhould find 110 insurmountable difficulties 111 our path.

We havo shown in war what can be done by co-operation, and if the same energy and spirit can be put by all ' lasses into developing our productive forces, it will be possible to accomplish all that has ever been hoped for in improving the social state. Why cannot Labour and Capital, recognising that mutual sacrifice, mutual adaptation to restrictions, mutual obedience to just discipline won the war, submit to-day to a solution of their differences in harmony and for the good of all ? Wo have, each one of us, an individual responsibility to our fellow-men, and pi ogress can o.ly be made by each employer ffiui each employee searching his heart and telling himself honestly whether he is doing to-day what is best for himself and his fellow-creatures—l am, etc., FRANK GOLDBEKG. Wellington.