The Manawatu Standard. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5. 1886. CAPITAL AND LABOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1627, 5 February 1886, Page 2

Manawatu Standard. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5. 1886. CAPITAL AND LABOUR.

On this subject the Watchman makes the following thoughtful observations : — Capital and labour cannot be opposed^ eaoh-'bther ' without i'disastrous conse'4, quences to both. When capital asks 1 * labour to content itself with Jess- wages, labour is perfectly justified m investigating the just distribution of the profits; and. k although capital may say, "Oh! but 'how about* the occasions on which there shall be/ no profits, but a loss." •That does hot satisfy *£© investigation, for such loss should undoubtedly be borr.e by capital alone, if it does: not' take labor into partnership, which at present it does not do. There can be no concealment of the fact that capital does, iust now, most earnestly desire to reduce the current rate of wages ; and, when the subject is mooted, thoughtless people say, carelessly, "Oh!" yes, certainly wages should be lowered." But what is to be the consequence of a reduction ? Is it likely that any man can decently maintain his family if there is any de duction from his pay of seven, or eight or ten shillings per day ; and that, mark, not for every day m the year, but only on such days as he may be fortunate enough to obtain work ? And if , with constant employment, and without any such reduction, he is able, to decently maintain4us f aiuily- and to put by something as a^rovSfon for old age, or sickness, what <proportion v of his earnings, is capital to-be' allowed- to appropriate by way of a reduction m the current rate of wages ? Be it ever so little, it can have but one; effect^ and that is : the work man wjll do his best to keep himself and; his bairns alive while his health and' strength last out; but, when they. go/ the colony must provide the ultimate refuge of the aged and infirm, the dreaded workhouse of the old country, the only possible escape;from which is by way ot fair wages, and education sufficient to enable a man to do his duty, and to see that others do theirs.