THE LABOUR MANIFESTO.

Waikato Times, Volume XI, Issue 3209, 19 January 1893, Page 3

THE LABOUR MANIFESTO.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir,—The labour manifesto recently issued by Mr J. A. Millar, Secretary of tlio Son» man's Union, is worthy of careful perusal, This is chiefly for" the reason that it is a relloction of tho views of tho groat labour party. Consequently, as affording ah insight not only into their plans for future action, but also to tho motives underlying them, Mr Millar's utterances are full of interest. But, surely no ono who has ondeavoured to look at the matter impartially, can help a feeling of disappointment at the narrow and purely selfish sentiments expressed by the leader of labour. To irio, they are vagno, ; contradictory, ami unpatriotic, I have looked through the manifesto for any sympathetic refernnco to the growing industries of our colony—industries in which they aro really more interested than anyone else—to its grand future when fully developed by the combined forces of capital and labour. But alas, tho ideas and ambitions of the labour party, as represented in this loader, soein to begin and ond solely with themselves. There are, apparently, no others worth considering, neither is there any recognition of tho fact,— patent enough to others, —that labour, as represented by these unions, is after all, only ono section of the great social machine, and all must prosper if they aro, to do so. Again, after stating.that'the samo conditions of wealth production exist here, as in older countries, Mr Millar forgets to add, that under the same conditions, tho products of tlio labour which he represents, must successfully compete in the world's markets; or his labourers remain unemployed, and. the chief evil of which he complains be as far .off as ever: from permanent removal. The same remark applies to all classes of tho community. When I looked down tho manifesto and read, that the .failure of the maritime strike was owing to the fact "that we could not employ ourselves in producing that which' we required to exist upon, and it, was for this- reason also that the unemployed took our place,"- then, as a practical man, I certainly expected that one of the chief points in Mr Millars advice for the future would bo that of making some real provision for this weak spot, either by devising some plan of applying their surplus labour directly to land, or, it might be, by allying themselves more closely with those who are, at present, engaged in agricultural pursuits, so as to be in a batter position in times of future trouble to supply themselves with those necessaries without which thoy cannot exist, But instead of this-their only true stronghold for independence—there is the usual appeal to;: the Government, which- .is expected to act as 1 a sort 1 of foster mother to unionists, and organise (in other words employ) them at high wages to grow food for themselves, It is evident that the typical unionist cannot seo beyond an employer's pocket, and his patriotism reaches no further than his own. Land—which be is fond of referring to as tho only true source oIE wealth-is really only an expression? "so far as~he ;is concerned.' Although' begrudging everyone! else the possession of, it, he does not personally want it at any price, and will never occupy it, except in dire straits, and then only in the form of hired labour, leaving the risk and responsibility.(words that are" equally objectionable" in his eyes) of any wealth arising therefrom to ba borne by another class, who, if only owning or renting five acres to grow cabbages, are held up by him as social pests, and therefore should be heavily taxed so that his wages may be kept up, In common with many others who have made their living from boyhood by hard work, my sympathies are naturally with real working men, but tho childish and suicidal actions of those labour unions have completely disgusted me. Here in Waikoto, and all ovor the colony, wo have a large class called settlers-many of them formerly labouring men—who, under considerable privations, have toiled on for years, in tho hope of ultimately gaming independence for themselves and families, and have proved themselves the real bone and sinew of tho .land. ■ In numberless cases these' pioneers have, for long periods, ".worked for nothing and kept themselves, in tho belief that some day stock-raising, dairy produce, frnit, frozen meat, or some othrr product of the soil would torn out nil right anil furnish' their roivard at last. Nmv they are being pushed auido by another class that, 1 practically speaking, those industries have called into existence, for with all.his bounce and noise tlio unionist is (so far as tho colonies are concerned) only the follower of tho hardy settlor. Better times are, no doubt, in storo for us, but they will be the outcome of patriots, and not of either capital or labour unions. As regards the future of the latter, it is difficult to believe that thoy will ever advance their own cause, much less that of their fellow men, very far, unless directed by leaders taking a broader and more practical view of the modern conditions of life than appears to be possessed by Mr J, A, Millar,-I am, &c,, „ • ■ E. C. Shepherd,' '