ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Dunstan Times, Issue 432, 29 July 1870, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

We do not identify ourselves with the opinions that may be expressed by our correspondents. (TO THE EDITOR OE THE DUNSTXk TIMES.) Sir, —I observe in your issue of the 10th of June a remark made by your Bendigo Gully correspondent, a few remarks on which you will, I trust, find space for. " Reefs,” he says, “which will hot afford £4 per week wages to the miner will not pay at £1 per week.” Is it not the fact that there are a great many quartz claims in this district thrown up ? Why ! Because labor is too high. Suppose, for example, the ‘ ‘ Boreatis” employ twenty men at £4 per week, and 'the “ Rising sun” employs an equal number at £2 per week ! at the end of the year the shareholders in the latter have £2,080 less to pay than the former- This £2,080 will probably satisfy the “Rising Sunners,” whereas, had they to pay it away, they would be quenched, in the darkness of night, and like their neighbors in the Boreatis have to “flit were you could point their place.” They would throw up their claim, to the serious loss and inconvenience of the twenty miners and the district generally. The fact is, the exorbitant price of labor is the main cause of the great depression felt in squatting, mining, and farming pursuits. Why cau’t the laborer, when he asks for work at a station, and is refused on the old plea of “ money all gene : can’t afford it,” look on the question philosophically, and say : “ Yes, my noble squatter, I am aware that wool is down and the price of sheep is falling fast, and, if other things go on as at present, you will surely go to the wall, ruined by the extravagant demands of myself and others like me ?” No, sir : I will be content to take a just value for my labor, and why should 1 ask for any more ? Then look to the farming interest. Is it not the everlasting cry (in all old-settled districts, at least); “ Oh ! The ‘ cockatoos' are getting very hard up now. They are all mortgaged over head and ears, and there is scarcely a solvent man among them ?” The mining interest suffers to an enormous extent- The culture of flax, the manufacture of wool, and similar industries are dwarfed and stunted in their growth, all because labor is too high. It would not be so injurious to the interests of the province if the money received for labor was kept therein. But where does it go ? Where ! But to pay Mr. Martell for his brandy, Jock Stewart for his whisky, ami to encourage the production of the celebrated anchor brand. The Premier of New Zealand stated the other day that not less than £SO per annum was spent in intoxicating drink by every man in the colony. The consequence is the laborer degrades himself in the pursuit of a pleasure he never enjoys, the employer i« impoverished by the unprofitableness of the labor, and the colony depressed by so much money leaving its shores. Stagnation everywhere. When the price of labor becomes just things will not go on as at present- Idle, unemployed, half-starving men will no longer be seen ; but squatters, waxing rich in flocks and herds, will enjoy the reward of the struggle —no Bankruptcy Court looming in thj future ; cocuatoos would reap the reward of sheir labor—no more mortgages required ; reefers would draw ample revenue—no more paying-in to disturb their rest aud empty their pockets ; trade would prosper, industries would flourish, resources would be developed, and prosperity would reign over a peaceful and smiling land. I am, &c,, JOHN JUST WAGES. July 25, 1870.