The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1891. THE LABOR TROUBLES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2183, 2 April 1891, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1891. THE LABOR TROUBLES.

Ik a recent issue, in commenting on the labor revolt in Queensland, we pointed out that there the phase of the trouble which we all along dreaded was developing, and urged that it was foolish on the part of the employers to resist all offers of conciliation. We do not wish it to be understood that we in any way uphold the illegal and violent measure the Queensland shearers have adopted. On the contrary, it is, in our opinion, not only indefensible, but wicked and unwise It will result in waste and destruction, if not in loss of life, and under existing circumstances the men must lose. Their loss must be the employers’ gain, because defeat must put them back indefinitely. All parties to the dispute are, therefore, acting very unwisely: the employers, because the loss and waste which must result from these disputes will be ten times more than they would lose by accepting the terms of the men; the unionists, because defeat must put them in a worse position than they were before, and keep them there for many a year. All parties must lose. It is wrong and unwise to waste and destroy. Sins of this nature always bring punishment upon the people. Wars aie. always succeeded by famine and pestilence. Labor quarrels are, of course, warfare of a milder nature, and the punishment must be milder, but that want and hunger must succeed waste and destruction is clear. That such disputes should occur in democratic countries is very much to be regretted. There ought to be no necessity for them,, and there would not have' been if the men used tbeir liberties in a sensible manner. In all the Australian colonies we have what is next door to manhood suffrage, and if men used their votes intelligently labor revolts would not be necessary. However, men do not do this. They never think of what they are doing when electing a member of Parliament ; it is a matter ol fun to them very frequently, and they set no value on their votes. This is at the bottom of it all; and apparently the leaders are beginning to see it. Mr ’Fitzgerald, who has just returned, says they mean to fight by sending men of their own class to Parliament. They can do it if they like, but what will be the result ? It will be that the proud Australian employers, who think of nothing now but their suppression, will rue the day they provoked the men to resort to measures of this nature.