The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1920. THE TASKS BEFORE US.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 January 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1920. THE TASKS BEFORE US.

In a thoughtful and interesting article, recently written by ;vr Robert Stout, he discusses, with characteristic lucidity, some of the more important tasks which lay before the people of the Dominion in collection with the immediate future. The Chief Justice brings to bear on this theme a logical, well-trained mind, a vast store of practical experience, and a keen insight into the problems of the new era on which we have entered. He has some conclusions to make known for the guidance of the community, and they are well worthy, not only of acceptance, but of adoptions In the first place he emphasises the necessity of avoiding war, and struggling for peace by cultivating the spirit of kindliness and brotherhood, for without peace society perishes. He then urges that an end be made to the existing labor unrest by means of necessary reforms. Times have ehanged. Instead of the old freedom or of liberty of contract, wc have "status" and court awards. The extremists, however, insist on nationalisation, but the Chief Justice shows that system has been tried in various States, and the result to the workmen has not been more satisfactory than are, or were, the controls of manufactures by individuals. The miners working in the State coal mines seem just as discontented as those working in mines privately owned. "What do the extreme Socialists ask? That all capital engaged in production machinery, plant, buildings, manufacturing articles, farms, stores and their contentsbe seized by the community without any compensation to the present owners. The large and small farmers, their stock, their implements and their produce are all to be seized without compensation, and the State is to be the universal producer and distributor. The capitalist's thousands and the widow's mite invested in shares are alike to be swallowed up in the State maelstrom or Charybdinn whirlpool." This is the doctrine of the Bolsheviks, only they have made the seizure or robbery of savings more complete. There are thousands of people in the Dominion who boast of this programme being their aim, and the task of the sane members of the community is to fight thesp blatant demogogues to the bitter end, and it may become the unpleasant duty of the Government to clear the country of their presence. From a legal standpoint all the reasonable demands can be dealt with by our industrial courts, but from a sympathetic human standpoint it is possible to give every worker an interest in his work that will act as a stimulant which will enhance his manhood and improve his status and'outlook. In this connection the Chief Justice cites the following scheme, adopted by Philadelphia Rapid Transport Co.:—

The responsible management elect a branch committee; the workers elect a branch committee, and these branch committees elect departmental commit-, tecs, each by itself. Then there is a General Committee, and the General Committee meet and consider all questions about the organisation of the business. If they cannot agree, then the matter goes to arbitration. The Management General Committee appoint one arbitrator and the Workers' General Committee appoint an arbitrator, and those two arbitrators appoint a third arbitrator. If they fail to agree as to a third arbitrator, then the arbitration is referred to the provost or principal of the University of Pennsylvania, the chairman of the Public Service Commission, and the president of the Chamber of Commerce, anil these three settle the question that is in dispute between the management and the workers

An arrangement of this nature provides every safeguard that the workers can reasonably require. At the same time the housing and comfort of the workers ought to be as important as the production of goods, cleanliness, proper light and ventilation, with up-to-date sanitary arrangements, rest, dining and even bath rooms being provided, also first aid facilities. Under such circumstances the workers would have every incentive for doing more and better work than under the old system, for they would be treated as human beings and not as machines. Naturally, Sir Robert Stout has something to say about thrift and economy,'especially in view of the unprecedented extravagance that is the order of the day. "Our peopl"," he says, "do not realise that we are in a serious financial position, and that by the end of the year our taxation will be at least double what it was before the war." In

view of the enormous prices ruling for land and the high freights for produce carried overseas, he warns the farmers, and especially the small farmers, that if prices drop and extravagance continues, the result will be financial hardship and poverty. What is the remedy? We cannot do better than quote the Chief Justice's words:— "The only remedy is that we must have more production than we have had in the past. Our people must be more efficient, and they must be thrifty and careful. Are our people prepared to adopt the only remedies that lie before them? I appeal to them to think of the condition of New Zealand at present, and to consider what is happening. They are. I feel sure, fired and inspired by the utmost patriotism; they desire to see New Zealand second to no country in the world in its social life. Will they help? Unless they do so, I am afraid disaster must come upon us; but if they will help, New Zealand will remain prosperous, and happiness will reign.