Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, AUGUST 2. 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8879, 2 August 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, AUGUST 2. 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

THOUGH the farmers’ organisation has declined to form itself into a political body the socialistic unions are not so scrupulous, aud they have evidently decided to take advantage of the supineuess ami apathy of the farmers, before the latter realise the necessity of resistance by combination. Though the actions of these socialistic unions, aud the policy tiiey support, have caused the cost of supplies to largely increase, and the purchasing power of money earned to be generally lessoned, they are actually sending out emissaries to persuade the agricultural labourers that they are working in their interests. The worker on the land, unfortunately, does not yet see that while these socialists have made everything dearer, by means of shutting out cheap supplies, and forcing up their own wages while shortening their hours of work aud reducing their output, lie, the toiler on the laud, cannot possibly benefit by the price of the supplies ho requires being increased. Ho has not yet realised that in this respect his interests are identical with those of his employers, aud that his wages must always bear relation to the market price of the products Of the land. But he lias boon made to understand that it is costing him more to live and to obtain his supplies, and consequently ho is inclined to listen to the voice of the agitator, who really represents the organisations that are injuring him. Apparently some of the agricultural labourers believe that they may benefit by unionism, ami by working only under certain restrictions, j

Possibly they might if the-nations' who compete with us in the world’s markets would agree to adopt similar restrictions, hut not otherwise, and if all the demands that have been formulated can be enforced then it is certain that the New Zealand producer will be at an enormous disadvantage in the market, and that in j the end there will be less work to do, and less pay for doing it. In another column we publish the schedule *of wages and conditions adopted by the Agricultural Labourers’ Union, and we commend them to the perusal of farmers. Some of the demands, of course, are reasonable; indeed, they are already conceded by all employers who study the interests of those in their employ, but others will certainly arouse objection and prove impracticable. When unions can control the seasons and the weather it may bo possible to grant them without interfering with the prosperity bf the industry. To carry out some of the requirements it will also be necess-.ry to persuade the cows to take holiday. While it is questionable whether the- average farmer could, even now when prices of produce are good, concede all the demands and still make a profit, it is certain that he could not do so if the values of our produce fell. In any case, also, increased cost of working land means a corresponding reduction in land values, and thus also, a lessening'of the value of the security given by many farmers for advances. The position will therefore be that if the prices of produce fall the farmer may have to borrow money to pay wages until the depression passes away, and at the same time the value of the security he lias to offer will be decreased. Even if ho is able to borrow there is no doubt the moneylender will take full advantage of the situation. If the farmer cannot borrow enough under such conditions, of course there is always the haven of rest of the Bankruptcy Court, and the sheltering arms of the Official Assignee will receive him. What with State landlordism, heavy special taxation, increased valuations for rating and taxing purposes, and the effects of socialistic agitation, the farmer’s lot. will certainly not be a happy one, and if they wish to protect tneir interests the farmers should unite and battle against common enemies. The agricultural labourers themselves are not to blame ; they, like the farmers themselves, are suffering from the effects of the policy of those employed in the parasitic industries in the cities.

WE manage some thines better in New Zealand. The British railway companies are refusing the demands of their employees, and the Australian shopkeepers are in deep trouble because arbitration is compelling them to pay shop assistants increased wages, which they declare will he ruinous. In New Zealand the employers “pass it ou,” aud the general public have to pay for the increase. The solution in Britain and Australia should be equally easy. It is true that the “pass it on” process has to stop when it reaches the farmer, because he cannot compel the Loudon buyer to give more than the price fixed by the competition of other nations, aud the London prices rule those in the local market. But uohody seems to care for the farmer, though his industry is the one that creates all the wealth. Some day, perhaps, the country will array itself for a decisive coniflct with the socialism of the centres, and then ;,there will be a mighty battle, the noise of which will resound in other lauds.