CO-OPERATIVE LABOR

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 542, 11 October 1902, Page 3

CO-OPERATIVE LABOR

(To the Editor of the Times.) .Sir, —Noiie had the manliness to reply to my letter of the 30th September last, without hiding themselves under a cognomen, such as “ Observer ” and “ Back-blocker.” In repiy to their remarks, I must say that if I draw fight conclusions, both of your correspondents agree with me, and positively affirm, that in labor nothing but co-opetation will succeed. The avoidance of argument in such an important matter . will obviously strike you and your readers. In every respect, throughout the world, it is now acknowledged thaL labor and capital should go hand-in.hand together, and that there should be.a regard ol the omen of the times, as witness the great coal-miners' strike in America. In considering Observer’s remarks, although with him I partially agree, I still insist that the present system of work of our Liberal Government is the ■best extant, until something better is discovered, for the intention- is to elevate the workers, especially those who liave dependents. And may I now ask : Is this a had motive on the part of any Government to lift up the community, and give every worker an op-po-tunity to make a home for himself and become a consumer as well as a producer ? There is nothing practically in the remarks of Observer to answer, except that he alleges the railway would have been, continued live miles beyond To Karaka if done under ,the contract system. I venture to say that were it not for the fact of giving settlers near the line, most of whim are married with large families, worn under the co-operative system, tmre might havo been distress in many a home. Observer must know that it imder the contract system the present, railway would not be opened yet. I want Observer to state why he quotes Mr M. McLeod as an authority on railway works. Has he had any experience, or is he a judge of works ? I think for myself. Mr M. McLeod might give me a surprise in quoting his estimate of the work on the line. I think that neither Observer nor Mr McLeod would know anything of crosssections of railway formation, and nossibly here it is that theie was a surprise for them. He Petone wokshops, I am pleased that work is atforded to so many, and would be further gratified if such workshops were established in all the towns ol the colony. I am unaware that at the eve of an election any Minister ot the Crown attempted to sway or influence electors, by providing unnecessary 'it, seems strange that I should have to tackle a “ Hack Blocker, as ill my experience I have always known them to be good hard struggles. However, it appears that this mend, from nr, writing, miscalls himself. Keall> 1 do tplieve that if the progress of tins district was dependent on him, Miens would not be much prosqierity aid very little show for labo.. " lert 1S no diiliculty on my part m further ie. Divine; to Backblooker. As a counter noise to his remarks, I may direct his attention to the vast aggregation m wealth throughout the wor!d, and state that were it not lor tl c hack wardness of laborers, who have to bear all the burdens of taxation,_ there could not have been anythirtg m the wav of aggression, unless wealth i Ihe lirst instance opposed • New Zealand capital never co-opera ed until ; t was forced to do so by the* ag gresssive attitude of labor. lus * an apparent falsehood, because it ,s well-known that monetary institutions have combined for their own pro.-, and bulging from the signs ot the limes 'in all parts of the world, it ap-nea-s that everything will be contro.j c( | by capitalists, unless the workers . u „l *> Back-blocker ” resist. The so- ] called 11 levelling-down process ” may seem to 11 Back-bldckcr very clear. Shortly, in reply, I may refer him to •ill the authorities of the highest order in social subjects which I ham read and to every-day matters to call him to attention, and 11 lie remans further information, I will tie pleaded to supply it-i »*.^ domFFm