THE LABOUR MARKET.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 126, 13 April 1893, Page 2

THE LABOUR MARKET.

TO THE EDITOR OF THK STAJI. Sir,—lt has been said by some individuals that political questions should ba put aside until election times, but many, including myself, are of quite a different opinion, holding that during the excitement of an election the political self-seeker and schemer by flattering words and pretended sympathy for the poor working man and others, has the best chance of success, as in exciting times erroneous ideas and prejudices can be excited or increased, and the process of turning black into white indulged in, by candidates. While during the quiet of a recess reason has some chance of being brought to bear upon different subjects, I have been absent from Feilding for some time, and have had little opportunity of writing to the press. Since, however, my last letter nppeared in the columns of the Star upon the present condition of the labour market, a letter has been published above the signature of " Emigrant " criticising mine on the above subject. I cannot find out by perusing " Emigrant's" letter, that any statements in my letter alluded to were wrong, excepting a sort of a surmise that it was so in one part. 11 Emigrant," howeytr, asserts that Freo trado would cause increased competition and " the survival of the fittest " and seems to leave out of consideration the fact that increased ocean-traffic is the making of seaport towns, besides tending to increase general prosperity. I maintain that history does not agree with "Emigrant's" accusation against Freetrade as that policy, along with British capital (which combination invariably goes together) provides for increased competition in the labour market, whereas Protection limits and has a stagnating eftect upon the market besides injuriously increasing competition. " Emigrant " mentions the increase of competition caused by the use of machinery in America doing away with a great deal of hand labour, but that, as a sole cause of over competition, I deny, and farther believe that as regards the farmer a quicker mode than the old style of securing crops was required to employ labour in cultivating the wilderness, and to secure the supplies of large cities against losses of crops, from waste, and destruction from changes of weather. Besides, the old mode continued would have only given an excuse to the American to encourage a greater influx of black or coloured labour. Surely " Emigrant " could not have observed much in his migrations upon the past and present history of political events, or he might have seen that in the United States of America, that land so often alluded to by liberals and held up by them as a model for younger states to follow in order to further gull and confuse the working man, has been, until very recently, the most rabid Protectionist country on the face of the earth —and just where most ot the mischief froru over competition has been created. The American has taken the African Negro away from his natural habitat and transplanted him on American soil, first as a slave and afterwards as a free labourer, besides employing Coolies, Chinese, and other races of all the colours of the rainbow, and the different shades between if possible, in order to cause overflowing competition in the labour market to enable American protected industries to become monopolies to flood the world with cheap products (while her own poor have to pay a high price for them) and also to add to the coffers of the millionaire. This policy has contributed to create in America the greatest of extremes between the poor and the rich, because although it can be conceded that the poor in the United States are no lower than in older countries, yet the rich have reached the highest pedestal which pride and wealth can bestow. Protection in America was not only destroying the prospects of the working man, but also the small dealer has suffered, and it is a land where the inordinate desire to secure riches by unnatural means, has produced competition and the " survival of the fittest " to the greatest extremity. " Emigrant" further alludes to the Upper House appointments and the dual vote, also protection on boots, subjects that I did not allude too in my letter, the latter subject having got worn out in the columns of the Star some time back —the freetraders getting the best and most reasonable side of the argument. Recent history leading to the gradual enlightenment of the general public, caused by the downfall of Protection in America, and along with other causes in Victoria, keep Protectionists very quiet at present, and it is not likely that intelligent working men will be long deluded in regard to Protection. When the tide of enlightenment begins to flow, " Emigrant" may as well stay on the seashore and try to stem that tide, as to write in favor of the delusion of Protection. My next letter will be upon Freetrade and British capital. I am, etc., A Colonist.