THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1901.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 192, 22 August 1901, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1901.

In our correspondence columns, " Weary Willie " takes up his pen to object to our statement that the present labour legislation of New Zealand has advanced too quickly, but all he is able to say is that it will be twice as far advanced if our present Premier is spared in health a few years longer. In this ww beg leave to difter. Even now, the Premier sees that the "progression" of the country has been lop-sided, and he is endeavouring and will endeavour further to pull back labour into its proper relation with capital. By "capital" we 1 do not mean only money invested, for often money is a secondary item to enterprise, pertinacity, ! and the dozen or so requisites of ' a successful commercial man. All these must be considered when adjusting the levels and the scale of remuneration, but thoughtless writers, like our correspondent, think that the world is moved solely by labour (with a small " 1.") The real necessity, as we see it, is for the union of BOTH sides, each to protect the interests uf its individual members, and to confer where the interests of either might be met by amicable arrangement. This is practically the duty for which the CJouciliation Board exists, ao far with but little success. The employee should receive a fair return for his labour, and the employer is justly entitled to recive what is due to him for his capital, labour and knowledge, the latter often very dearly bought. How this end is to be attained is the question at which the Government is trying to arrive, but we, with many others, consider some of the recent legislation too hasty, and so drastic as to reverse the aims of its originators. With regard to the wages paid by farmers, we have not yet expressed any opiuions on the subject, bnt several farm labourers have expressed themselves to us well satisfied with the wages they receive. We fancy, however, that his picture ot a farmer'* life is somewhat of a rosy one. Perhaps our correspondent is the same as many others, and thinks that because a man is working for himself he has no business Worries, no money difficulties, nothing whatever to do but receipt bills and pocket cash.. As the latter part of the letter chiefly concerns them, we, would bj pleased to hear the opinion of our farmer readers on this very important subject.