'THE ARBITRATION COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 19659, 12 September 1927, Page 1

'THE ARBITRATION COURT.

IO TUB EDITOtt. Sir, —1 read Mr Harrison Vi contribution on the above subject, and must honestly say 1 was disappointed. I was looking forward to replies both from the laboring jind employing classes to see what holes they could pick in my reasoning, and the only contribution was from Mr Harrison, who, I believe, is an advocate for Labor. After dose study of his letter 1 summed it up without any oifensiveness as a little of nothing. After his kiml_ remarks, in regard to my interest in industrial welfare, he considers my letter holds out no hope of a solution. tdo not think that Mr Harrison has given tho latter portion of my letter his usual considered thought, for 1 not only gave a constructive remedy, but also showed that destructive results would emanate if the remedy was not applied. Again, he says thousands of people have been trying to toll the workers about the vicious circle, and they doubt it. I take this to mean the Labor advocates, leaders, and union secretaries, etc. But is it not a fact that these people have only told the workers of the half of the vicious circle—that is, the employers’ half? Nothing has been said about the, employees’ hall. Again he writes: “The greatest curse which appears on tho industrial scene, we are told, is the cnllightenment of the workers, their strength in unity, their spirit of defiance, and their preference for unionists.” Let mo put it in another way: “The greatest curse to the worker is the stiffing of information which only lets him sec one side of the question—his weakness in numerical strength as against efficiency, his subdued spirit through the domination of agitators, and the placing of good and bad on the one wage plane.” 1 agree with Mr Harrison that the worker —the efficient worker—deserves what lie earns. But why pay a parasite to get it for him when he can do the same thing by his own efforts? Again he quotes: “The seeds of Socialism lead to corruption.” This, sir, is at tho bottom of Mr Harrison’s letter —the myth Socialism. If wo all had cabbages, who would want them? Ho copies me when ho writes; “What, then, can bo the remedy? Mass production and thinking working men.” In this we sec eye to eye. Further on he writes that the remedies I outline have boon tried and found wanting, and are only incidental to the root cause. i disagree with your correspondent. In New Zealand these remedies, have not been tried out. True, we have had a case hero and there of piecework. But tho principle of employers, em-, ployees, and other community interests sitting in conclave and working in harmony for the greatest good for the greatest number, combining up-to-date methods with efficiency, each for all and all for each, has never been tried out in New Zealand. This is true Socialism. As for those so-called parasites wiio “ lounge in luxury,” good luck to them! Tho higher they live tho more they spend. _ The more they spend the more labor is employed. Bo why. should Mr Harrison worry over them? As for the laboring class wallowing in misery and insecurity, this ns all eyewash. Fur a uumfcU- of years my work has taken mo in the main info the homes of Hie workers, and tho only homos 1 saw in misery were in the main caused by_waste or “booze.” The economic conditions in the workers’ homes to-day are as they make them, and when every worker stands on his own feet and gets what lie earns and leaves the other fellow to do the same, then those who “ wallow in misery ” will bo just getting what they deserve, and will be forced into efficiency by economic conditions of their own make. Why the Arbitration Court fails to-day is because its decisions are built on a. cost of living basis, which basis is unsound, by inflated values produced by uon-efficicncy on the side of Hie worker, by restricted output, and the passing on of percentages worked on high manufactured costs. I trust Mr Harrison will read my letter again, and iiot view one-bair of Hie vicious circle, but study the whole. Then be may bo able to give ns a considered solution which will be of value.—l. am, etc., September 8. T.M.