New Zealand's Industries and Private Profits.

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 1, 15 September 1910, Page 8

New Zealand's Industries and Private Profits.

During the last few years Mr T. J M'Bride lias contributed various, articles to the newspapers on this subject y and he has now published a dealing at length with the organisation of New Zealand industries. The pamphlet is "dedicated to the interests/ , and can bo obtained from the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council ux> id per copy. This pamphlet should be read and studied by every intelligent worker in New Zealand. It is a terse and clear •exposition of progressive thought, and once the inevitable logic of its propositions is grasped by the working classes the ballot-box of this country will tell -a very different tale in the future from what it has told in the p.ast. Mr M'Bride is a vigorous advocate for the policy of the New Zealand Labour Party, and a valuable champion of the cause of labour The following paragraph deals with the regulation of wages by means of State enterprise*:— WHAT STATE COMPETITION WILL DO. Genuine, but sympathetica State competition, when any monopolised line of production cannot be purchased, satisfactorily by the State, will effectually and beyond a shadow of a doubt regulate wages, conditions and surplus labour for the workers, and. prices and. quality of goods for the consumers, in every line of industry to which State competition is honestly applied. The reason is that private employers would find it necessary to follow the example and standard of excellence set by the State, by paying , similar wages, by providing agreeable surroundings, by abstaining from adulteration, and by charging reasonable prices to the consumers for their products. Otherwise the workers and their trade would gradually, but surely, drift to and expand the people's State enterprises. The State factories, farms and works would no doubt be handicapped to some extent by the inefficient surplus labour, but it is the bounden duty of the State (the people) to find steady employment and at least a respectable maintenance wage for every citizen. The State cannot afford, under any ccircumstances or set of circumstances, to neglect this humane duty and responsibility. Active and honest State competition, coupled with gradual public ownership, in connection with our lands, industries and medium of exchange, will go most of the ■way. and as fast as the Independent Labour Party wi 1 ! move towards the final" solution of our industrial, labour, monetary and other national problems.