THE LABOR QUESTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2104, 27 September 1890, Page 3

THE LABOR QUESTION.

At a meeting of farmers and miners in the Oamaru district to discuss the labor trouble, Mr John Cowan, a farmer, moved : “ That we, the farmers of Waitahuaa district, protest in the most emphatic manner against the action ot the Union Company towards their employes. We also look at them as being injurious to our interests, as the greatest monopoly in the Southern Hemisphere, of which they have taken advantage by changing exorbitant freights to our principal markets, the Australian colonies,” Mr Cowan spoke at considerable length on the motion. It could not be disguised what was at issue. It was simply Capital v. Labor, and capital was prepared to take every mean advantage of labor, as it had always done. They attacked them at the present time while the unions were still in their infancy. Let them remember with what tenacity they clung to slavery. Depend upon it if the working man allowed the standard of living to be lowered his wages would come down in proportion. The Government had not made an honest attempt to settle the difficulty, and that was to be deplored, as they had willingly taken on themselves the responsibility. They had power to compel arbitration. If the Union Company objected they need not allow them to trade to our shores. It was the country that made the company, and not the company the country. It was a proposal worth considering whether the Government should do the carrying on water as well as on land, i o him it looked as if water carriage would then be of more importance, as thus the country would have a fleet always ready for any emergency. The resolution was carried, and it was resolved—“ ®hat each member of the committee distribute subscription lists to give all persons who wish to give any financial support to the Unions an opportunity.”— Oamaru Mail.