Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1919. RESTRICTED OUTPUT.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1919, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Eve ning Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1919. RESTRICTED OUTPUT.

There is a complaint all over the world now in regard to restriction of output, and the harmful effect it is going to ha\ r e on national finance and national welfare grows more and more apparent. AVe have just noticed in the London Times the report of a meeting held in London of a largo landed company of Australia, with headquarters at the Empire’s metropolis. The chairman of thfi meeting goes on to say: “The other great obstacle to tliis main hope of our economic salvation—namely, the deliberate restriction of output by tlio workers’ unions, is a deadly danger in the mother conn- ■ try quite its much as in Australia; indeed, I know no prominent statesman: here who lias spoken out so fearlessly and so ably as Mr Hughes, the Prime. Minister of Australia, has done against this suicidal policy. This policy of organised Labour, originating mostly, I i believe in mistrust, if persisted in wilf j

do more than anything else to undermine our position as a first-class Power among he nations, and the greatest ultimate sufferers will bo the working men themselves. In Australia, as here, the highest aim of all true statesmanship should surely be to ingeminate a feeling of mutual trust and confidence between employer and employed. The immense potential resources of Australia cannot be adequately developed without a continual flow of capital into the country'; the development of these resources makes directly for the prosperity and happiness of the commu- [ nity and the education of the burden of debt. Capital follows security. In the best interests of Australia and of the I working men of Australia, fair and equal laws that produce a conviction of security for capital and that ensure just and equitable treatment of the 1 working man and so win his confidence, J would be tbe greatest thing any Austra- j lian statesman could do for his country, j During the dread years of this appal- 1 ling war, Australia has borne a splendid part in the great struggle, and her gallant sons have won for themselves and their country imperishable renown. , (Hear,hear.) The soldiers of the Motherland have fought side by side with equal gallantry and prowess in a great cause. Both Great Britain and Australia have not shrunk from unparalleled sacrifices of blood and treasure to uphold the sanctity of Treaties and good faith, between nations. Surely what they have fought for; and so many have died for in time of Avar, neither is prepared to abandon in time of peace—the sacredness of State contracts and just and fair treatment for all. The fires of war have welded the Empire into a closer union than lias ever been seen before. Industry, commerce, and finance should, and will bind all portions of the Empire still closer together if only the same high ideals are upheld and the peaceful competition is observed. In such a line of development no portion of the Empire would benefit more than Australia.*’ Views such as these should have, an arresting effect on all communities wore restriction of output is rife, and public opinion should .assert itself to bring about a, normal condition off affairs. Unless sane business methods are brought into operation the decline of the nation will be a result...