DISUNION IN THE LABOUR RANKS

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 163, 12 July 1890, Page 5

DISUNION IN THE LABOUR RANKS

(To the Editor.).

Sir,—-I feel sure that any disunion in the ranks of those 'who earn their living by labour will result disastrously to the workers. Unfortunately, fora long time skilled labour was the only labour organised, Professor Fawcett, in 1871, pointed

out that there was no combination amongst ■the agricultural labourers because' they were " too ignorant," and because there was a " want of intelligence." Happily, the spread of education is dispelling the ignorance, and will also raise the intelligence of the masses. It will alao correspondingly quicken the feelings of brotherhood and sympathy. Alas : that the Churches, the visible representatis'es of the Christ of God, who was Himself a working man when sojourning In Palestine, while they have done, and are still doing so much, have yet left so much undone in the way of fostering the brotherhood of man, of constantly preuching the responsibility of individuality, apart from the accidents of birth, education or fortune. I trust a very large number of its membore will realise how much is owing to society, and wilt hasten to take their proper share of work in this transition age, remembering the apostle's words, "If a man love not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not eoen." Unhappily, too many hold aloof, and then express surprise at the exfcesses of tho labour party, when the intelligence and knowledge of the more fortunate members of society should have been given to help the less fortunate to improve their position. Happily, we have a powerful and growing organisation which gathers into one fold all workers, whether of brain or muscle, or both united, which teaches that the permanent way of improving society is to lift up the lowest stratum. That is so elastic aa to organise the hitherto unorganised workers, and at the same time , enablee skilled labour to hold its separate trade gatherings for their own spocial requirements. Why existing trade unions should look with.jealous feelings on the Knights of Labour, is from my standpoint difficult to understand.

Mr Kirknp's contention appears to be, the unions seek to shorten hours and increase the pay—the Knights want something more. In that surmise he is correct. The objects he quoted are those drawn up locally before organisation, and are out of date.

The main objects of the Knights are education and co-operation. Education in all that pertains to human progress, outside of religion, which in a world-wide organisation is wisely loft to tho individual conscience. In sympathy with this, tho local assembly have started a library, which is free to its members, and to which they would gladly receive any suitable books. This education must extend to politics, not of a purty nature, but those sentiments and measures which are for the good of the whole people, such us public lands to be kept for the people, and land to be taxed (improvements exempted) so that the community receive tho unearned increments. The abrogation of laws that do not bear equally upon capitalists and labourers, etc., etc. Co-operation; it is the present system that keeps up the conflict between labour, and capital; let cooperative industries supersede the wage system, and you abolish a lot of distinctions which now exist. Any movement which secures to the toiler hie share of the wealth he creates, ennobles the worker, bocause ib recognises his just rights. Henco the success of profit-sharing industries, as they lead in tho direction of cooperation ; bub because tho Knights of Labour organisation has such grand objects,' their fellow labourers in other organisations less complex should not allow, much less foster, a feeling of antagonism. The interest of labour is one ; in the face of Wednesday's Star report, how can it be otherwise? Ib is there reported that the Tramway Company had dismissed one of their inspectors because he had . joined tho Knights, and this in Auckland, nob Russia. An intelligent, active, obliging officer dismissed for joining a lawful society, with itsr.objeqte published to the xvorld. Contrast the mooting of tho inillors with this. In that case, a master miller, Mr John Bycrof^—a relative, ac it happens, to the other party — attended, expressed his pleasure and sympathy, and accepted the position of President.. All honour to him. In view of the inberebts at stake, I trust all will co-operate to prevent disunion in the ranks of labour.—l am, etc., Unm\