Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1890. Capital v. Unionism.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 15 August 1890, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1890. Capital v. Unionism.

Mv W. J. Edwards has raised an improper issue in assorting in bjs telegram to the Railway Union that the dispute with Messrs Whi' combo and Tomb was a test ca c of capita versus Unionism. Upon the face of the facts, it would be absurd if it was not so wrong. Is Labour to bo led astray and starved because the leaders of Unionism delight to appear as dictators ? It mils'; be clearly within the recollection of the public, that Capital, represented by targe labour employing oomnanies have cono«ed( ] d to abour most of the demands made, at iho same time expressing a doubt whether under such conditions capital could be suc(essf'uliy employed. One instance is prominent before us in the coll cry on the other I lanl, there the men's demands were put to the tost for a mon h or two. with the lamentable result that the mine is now closed. Tl:e Railway Commissioner's m«t tl;o r employees, the Woollen Compa..y theirs, so that to assert that a fight is to ta 1 c place between Capital and Labour is the pnrrst novnpiiKe, nnd is most unfair. It is to bo hoped that Labour » ill never attempt such n fight, as there is not the slightest doubt who would be the losers, lor (he sake of the Colon-i-f-; who are neither Capitalists or Unionist it. is devout y to be hoped that no such course need over b i | resorted to, as they would suffor as ! much as either pa-ty, though most

I indifferent to the cause. With level headed leaders Labour nend never bo driven to such a position, and it mu-<t be the act of a too successful agitator, who failing nfc onco to bring; one firm at bis feet, threatens to ruin thousands upon thousands of his fellow colonists l>y insisting upon a strike. Surely there are other less despotic and summary ways for Labour to achieve their purpose, even wth Messrs Whifeombe and r nmb than comnel'ing 1 eight or ton thousand p<Hv>]e to f^'se from earning fheir liviner. We shall have a very small opinion of the respectable working man if h« allows men, whom he has but little know' edge of, to put him into such a pass, without having seen very clearly that the Unions are able to support such a ho^y in even sufficient food for himself and family. With strikes in Eneland and Australia it must be a difficult matter to raise a «urn of £10,000 weekly for New Zealand. "Why the cry is wrong, is, that it is so impolitic, for if the Unions are finding so much trouble, with the force at their command, to reduce Messrs Whitcomhe and Tomb*, surn'y it will be harder if they multiply that firm with all the other large em lovers of labour. T abour take heed, ere it be too late, let there be no attempt to defy capital. Remember th t you may act «o snfHjessfully as to frighten carnal, ft-Vians to grant all you asic for at the time, but if you retain the capital there is, you will stop move flowing in. T*e just and considerate in your de i l ; ng* and insist on your 'eiders fighting abuses. but not the menns wherewith you are emn'oynl. Onpital can, within n reasona 1 le por'ol, tnke wings and leave, can labour after havinsr exhausted Us store of savings during a ptrik" ? It would be wse for every member of an Union to inquire into the mnnrtavy position, and find what the proposals are t-*» secure bread and butter during a lock out.