LABOUR PROBLEM.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4485, 30 October 1922, Page 3

LABOUR PROBLEM.

the of the worker

REMEDIES for discontent.

The “Literary Digest” for September contains aii interesting article on "Th© Mind of the Worker,” from ■which some extracts are here given. “A most valuable asset to the community is the worker’s mind, but it is clogged by our industrial methods, by machine production, sped up to the limit, giving the worker no time tp think and allowing him nothing to think about. If he is dull, he becomes; still duller; if lie is bright, his mind will indulge in imaginative flights' and fantastic reasoning. These two types in contact are sure to start an industrial conflagration. Hence strikes are regarded as not so much attempts' to redress grievances us the result of forces engendered by the hurried machine-made industrial system. The remedy is believed to be in an education which must be at once moral, social, and civic, as well as purely intellectual. “Modern industry is characterised by automatic processes, production on a large scale and at high speed. Being paid by Quantity the worker concentrates upon speed. Pay is the greatest of all incentives, and his interest in the work becomes adventitious. The modern, worker is called upcm.to make very little effort, as his share in the industrial processes. He is himself, in many cases, rapidly becoming a’part of the machine ne manages. Unskilled work is increasing, and with it the number of uneducated, inexperienced labourers. "The worker with the active mind will influence his brother of the duller intellect. He will, agitate, harangue, and disturb his fellow workers. He will organise them into groups, factions, and cliques. This state of affairs is aggravated by two other, great Characteristics of modern industry—subdivision of lano.ur with its intense specialisatUm, and monotony. The mind of the modem worker is occupied with dull, stupefying, monotonous routine. Is it any wonder, then, that he is subject to great nervous strain, - and is easily led into discontent ? “Why do workers strike? We ■must search for the answer in present industrial conditions. Automatic, monotonous, high-tensioned, rabidly moving, tlhe work of to-day leaves the mind of the worker idle. He - .has no interest in 'his work. It is not re quired. The work itself demands' little experience and less education. “What must be done? First, the mind of .the modem worker, must cease to be idle and vacant. Secondly, every worker should be ambitious The world owes nobody a living 1 Promotion comes only through effott-

“The mind of the worker, too, is, filled with resentment at haphazard methods 'of promotion. Does the employment manager know his business 1 Can he analyse the qualifications of applicants’? For here lies the root of the whole evil—maladjustment of individuals. Much can be done by the employment manager in approaching this ideal; and In doing so, mucin will be done to allay industrial unrest and to promote efficiency. Is the mind of the worker in a healthy body? There should be education for healthy living, as well as the necessary technical education. “Education, in tile last analysis, is the answer to all: modern Labour problems. Educate the worker morally, that he may live more sanely : that he may realise his duties and obligations a.s a citizen. He is the clean, whblesome, and upright life. Educate him socially, in order that he may take his proper place in the community, Arouse his civic consciousness ; interest him to the point of participation in the affairs of the city, state, and’’ nation that, he ma,y know not only his rights, but his obligations as ac itizen.. He is the Government, and when he realises’ this he will not say: 'This country-is ruled by capitalists. , social structure is all wrong. ' The ; Courts arc only for the wealthy. Our Government must be changed.’" “What of the worker’s leisure ? How does the modern worker spend his spare time ? Monotony, high speed, and mechanical work cause the worker to lead a hand-to-mbuth existence. Many a worker arises, performs hi s’ ablutions, eats his throe meals a day, works during the day, quits at the sound of the whistle, and goes home -to sleep. His mind has become clogged. His body is weary. Educate the worker to use his leisure intelligently. “The mind of the worker is a most valuable asset to the community. Skilful employment management, improved industrial conditions, vocational guidance, technical education, and continuous education in the fundamentals of our school subjects and customs, manners, and institutions must be the final solution to present ills. We do not live tb work; -we work to live/’ — -