The Fielding Star. TUESDAU, JANUARY 3, 1893. Capital Alarmed

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 83, 3 January 1893, Page 2

The Fielding Star. TUESDAU, JANUARY 3, 1893. Capital Alarmed

We have no sympathy with the Trade Unions, strikes, or strikers, yet we cannot help condemning the colossal folly of the man who has made a proposal to form a union of British capitalists, with an aggregate capital of two hundred millions Stirling, to endeavour to boycott trades-unions. If anything could tend to further widen tbe breach which already exists between capital and labor, it would be tbe establishment of such a coalition. So 6oon as men who depended on their daily labor for their existence and the maintenance of their families, were made aware that the little independence yet left to them was so ominously threatened, even the mildest and most law abid ing of them would be certainly aroused to action, and a torrent let loose which would unhappily carry ruin and desolation to tbe much prized stock-in-trade of the capitalist as well as to the unoffending who are directly or indirectly dependent on the results of trade or commerce for their daily bread. Such an organisation would be but imitating the follies of the trade unionists and boycotters, who have done bo much positive harm all over the civilized world, without gaining one hundredth part of the benefits the latter hoped and struggled for. Of course we all remember the '* combinations " which were made against the dock strikers, but we also remember that they vanished into thin air as soon as common sense was brought to bear on the question, and mutual concessions, satisfactory to both parties to the dispute, made its settlement a comparatively easy task for the men who were appointed to act as mediators. It would be more sensible if the working men were themselves to learn wisdom by experience and shun, as they would a mad dog, their selfstyled friends who, as " agitators," injure both capital and labor, while they batten on the hard earned money of thei«- simple followers and live in luxury themselves while their victims and their families are dragging out a miserable poverty - stricken existence. That the owners of such an enormous sum of money as indicated will be weak enough to hamper its employment in such a way we cannot bring ourselves to believe.

In conr^ction with the remark made by Mr Bruce here to the effect that he did not intend again to contest the Rangitikei seat, die Manawatu Times does not think Mr Bruce desired to convey the impression that he intended to retire from political life. In his speech at Ashurst Mr Bruce clearly placed the onus of hia again contesting the seat .on the ejectors themselves. If they wish it, an influential and numerously signed requisition would quickly set the matter at rest. For our own part, we consider Mr Brace's retirement would be an untuistakeable loss to the party. His ability and integrity are unquestioned. Like the Jato Mr Macarthur, as n Southern paper remarked in reference to that gentleman, Mr Bruce \s iWi 9H£ of the unfortunately too numerous ■ *f self advertising politicians > his class . -.» alW&yg iW honest, manjy utterances ha. -Uiuh fe fl P(St tf, e ring about them *.. . iftttfcfa) character of the man, and area •—* listen to after the wishy-washy s«m.._ above which some members are not capable of rising; while his power in the House is undoubted. We repeat, Mr Bruce's renunciation of politics would be a distinct loss to the colony, and we hope that steps may yet be taken which will render such a course unnecessary. la thi^, connection the Christchurch

Telegraph says :— The electors ofßangi- j tikei are to be congratulated if they succeed'in securing Mr F. Y. Lethbridge ■ as a candidate at the general elections, and it would be gratifying indeed if those who view the actions of the present Government with a feeling akin to alarm would show similar activity in their respective electorates in other parts of the colony. Mr Bruce's retirement will be a i Joss to the House and the country, as during the time he has held a seat he has been looked upon as one of the most level-headed and shrewdest of our legislators. He enjoys the personal esteem and friendship of his fellow members on both sides of the House, and the patriotism displayed by him on all matters affecting the interests of his adopted country has gained for him tbe admiration, confidence and respect of the electors throughout the length and breadth of the colony. At the present time we can ill afford to lose such men as Mr Bruce, but we have the satisfaction of knowing that our Rangitikei friends are equal to the occasion, and will endeavour to replace him by the best man obtainable.