Correspondence.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3535, 13 June 1890, Page 2

Correspondence.

Trades Unionism-What is it P

(To the Editor.)

Bra—Having watched with th keenest interest the development o trades unionism throughout the world and more particularly throughout these oolonies—during the past few montliß, I am loth to ask myself the question, what is it? . from whence coineth this terrible upheaval? And for an answer I do : not intend to apply to Henry George, i to Bellamy, or to Mr A. W.Hogg I No, although these gentleman may i each he quite competent to advance 1 a reason for the present state of [ affairs,-I do not propose crediting either of them,with the fatherhood i of socialism. Like a mighty rushing . wind the socialistic revolution is , coming upon us. We can see it! We can actually hear the flipping of - the wings of that vulture which shall 1 swoop down and upset the equilii brium of the Nations I And many a home which to-day is happy and bright will in a few months be , disturbed by the depredations of the monster. But what is it? Is it a something which will raise the masses of England and the Continennt to a higher level, which will ameliorate the 'distress existing in the larger cities, andwhioh will eventually result in the establishment of a condition of glorious equality among men? It cannot be I What is the result of the recent strikes in London? Have they elevated the masses and relieved distress? Nay! Is it not a fact that Mr Burns, the Socialistic leader,in a speeob at the termination of the strikes, asserted that the Sooialjsts would have' most assuredly been defeated, ; had it not been for the friendly interference of the Australiancolonies? The thirty-threemillion inhabitants of England were perfectly satisfied that by resorting to extreme measures, measures which 'trades unions cannot help adopting, the end so muoh • desired could not be attained. And yet' a mere handful' of colonists pretend to understand the business of- .their fathers better than they do themselves,' and by their action kindle a revolutionary flame, which will spread throughout the world. True, distress does exist, but is it to be alleviaud by boycct. ting_ and such like? WiiuiuV elorious state of things-eqttaiity—-which must be recognised as the milleriium-be hastened by. strikes 2 Nay I ' Then why indulge in them ? mf WS $JF*J'a tappry relief to those who hayeemploymerit. "But at the Baine time, will not a sudden rise. in wages result- in an inorease of tjie unemployed ? Manufacturers will reduce the number of their employe's, men will no} go to the country, 'aj they. Btand a chance of procuring better wages in the city, centralisation, will be enoburaged, and a disaster must inevitably befalthe oonntry by adopting the principles-of trades unionism. Haye we not illustrations of the faot in the Colonies ? Why over yonder in Viotoria, at the very time when thousands of pounds were collected to assist men who invited distress by going on strike, there j were hundreds of poor, half-starved creatures walking the streets ofV Molbourne in search of employment." And why was it?. Was it not becausemen stuck to the town in anticipation of high wages, and would not, even' when encouraged to do to by the rfilMPsses, leave H ' the" M ntrjf f wllere I lapoV lal plentiful f The; faci ; offfie : wIM rhatter,' the cajise of, the wliofe' agita 1 ' lion in theColohies is'merely 'Mi ;''.' JJejhapicVaniJ laborer? are'well |aj(l: ":■

but they are not 'satisfied—they want mora; thoy make one demand after '-•• another, which is conceded through '} boycotting; they feather their,own nests, and discourage immigration by keeping out foreign labour; thoy take •, advantage of the foot that thoy aro kings of tho situation and rule their , masters, not even permitting the dismissal of an inferior hand; in fact, thoy aro guided entirely by Couuoils of men who take but ono view of the - ; andbring their insignificant into prommenco by ', threatening masters, who cannot and Vani will not accede to their requests, with violence. ■ Is not this areign of torror? Fathers, are you to be ruled by your children? Children, bavoyouthe audaoity to threaten yowparents? It is at -least con- , soling to think that there is not much probability of trade unionism affecting the W.air.mipa. If it does, will result m peouniary bcneflt to those who are directly concerned. A man in the Wairarapajsliowilldemean-liinv self to agitate for trade unionism to proteot his interests is ono who has' always left tho transaction of bis business iu;t!ie bands of other people, and therefore finds himself '. minus that blessing which ho would otherwise be in possession of. It is further to be hoped that masters willnot beintimidatedbypetfcy threats v ! on the pare of tbo employees, hut , be guided by that principle of justice ■ which has hitherto regulated their J a||rs. Sympathising with those in the I larger towns who •will undoubtedly find themselves victims of """' socialistic agitators, I am, &o, Justice.