The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2218, 16 June 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1870.

We wish at all times to give the utmost liberty to correspondents to canvass the current topics of the day, so that every subject that comes under consideration may be thoroughly discussed and truth arrived at. As a consequence many theories will be propounded by different writers that avo not sound, especially on subjects that ane not capable of mathematical demonstration. Of this class is the question of immigration, on which much misconception prevails. We have, arrayed against the importation of labor, a number of men who call themselves the unemployed, and they tell us that it is unfair to those that are here, to bring men to compete with them for the purpose of reducing wages, and ask that with labor capital also should be imported. They recommend that all laborers shall take the suicidal step of writing Home, and telling the unemployed at Home not to come out here. We are at air times anxious for the welfare of the laboring classes, and are to the utmost desirous of their wellbeing. Apart from the sympathy due to our common humanity, it is the interest of every member of society, of every tradesmen, of every capitalist, that those who live by labor should be in a highly prosperous condition. It is the interest of every producer that the mass of consumers should be able to purchase freely both of necessities and luxuries. Their profits depend upon this ability, and nothing can be more detrimental to prosperity than a

low ratewagea. But then comes the question of the means of maintaining wages, and on this point the greatest • possible mistakes are made. When in a Colony a number of men are unemployed, the conclusion is arrived at by. the mass of the laboring class that there are too many workmen in it, and forthwith a demand is made that the ports shall be closed and no more men imported. It seems almost a hopeless task, although it is the imperative duty of a journalist, to point out the folly of this idea. There is something so specious in the argument that as those who arc here have not work to do, it would be cruel and impolitic to bring a number of immigrants to compete with them, that the conclusion seems irresistible. It is, however, based on a number of fallacies that can only be deprived of their pernicious influence by a lew plain truths to which it is the interest of working men to give every attention, They should ask themselves why are they unemployed 1 If they answer because there, is no work' to do, the reason of that must he sought. They must not run away with the idea that all the work is done that is required to be done, oven with the present population ; but that all is done that is profitable at the present cost of work. There are visionaries in the world who talk about Hie rights of labor, and the claim that a laboring man has upon capital. They talk very foolishly about the duties of capital, as if those who possess it had no right to a word as to whether they should employ labor or not. Nay, so far has folly in that direction proceeded as to lead enthusiasts to infer that men willing to work ought to be paid as well for their willingness as if they actually did work—that in reality men with capital were merely brought into the world to feed those who have none. Luckily for the interests both of capital and labor, such dreamers are not likely fo unseat reason from her throne. Common instinct tells us that such a communal system would soon bring us back to barbarism; the distinguishing feature of which is that men provide only for their immediate and pressing wants, taking no thought for the* future. If then all is done that can be done at the present cost of labor—if to build better houses, to extend the area of cultivation of farms, to manufacture articles of daily consumption for the colonists and for export, to provide tor the better clothing and increased comfort of those that are here be improvable at the present rate of wages, there are only two ways that we know of, of getting over the difficulty. One is to accept such a rate of wages as to induce capitalists to employ more labor : the other is to import such a number of immigrants as will increase the quantity of work to be done. Either of these would answer the purpose—both combined would inevitably succeed. Our correspondents need not be afraid of want of capital. That will always be forthcoming where a profit is to be made. Thoir exclusive plan does not answer. Instead of people coming here, people have gone away and employment is not more abundant for those that are left. The nominal rate of wages has been maintained, but the actual amount received has been reduced, because employment is fitful and uncertain. At a fail’ rate per day, there are capitalists prepared to employ labor. Every man has a right to set his own price on his work, but we put it before him whether it is wiser to stand idle, than to accept what capitalists can afford to pay.