THE RECOIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 138, 13 June 1899, Page 2

THE RECOIL.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—lndividuals, public bodies, trades, towns, cities, nations, are all everywhere more or less subject to circumstances, and Inevitably so. Men—or mankind either—may perch themselves on their 'wills' and their 'shalls,' and with complacent resolves to their very- hearts' content, but bend to circumstances and conditions each and all alike must. No amount even of legislation can change the fact, because it is above, beyond, and out of reach of all such; might as well attempt to stop the blowing of the wind. Circumstances are, so to speak, a part of the natural and therefore uncontrollable world. They lie totally beyond the power of man to guide. Their causes are verily multitudinous, sometimes exceedingly trifling, yet having gigantic results. Man. kind may form 'unions,' and there may be so-called Conciliation (?) Boards, etc., holding their sittings, but such are only as so much froth in competition with the ever-living giant known as 'Circumstances.' The query' may, however, bd put, Should men therefore not try to remedy grievances? Most decidedly they should, but a( the same time be very careful in so doing to follow only on the lines of a public common reason, and watch closely against any manifest selfishness, greed, or undue pride. Here, for instance, ls an infallible guide, because divine in its authorship: 'Provide things honest in the sight of all men,' not that which may appear honest in the sight of men of one particular trade. The first-named is a safe road, and in the end will prove itself the successful one too. Otherwise, what? Why, the 'recoil' will assuredly come to pass, a backward movement, a humbling backing-down from a too perched position. Every trade and calling whatsoever is but the servant of the public, for such exist only on and hy the public. The public therefore constitute the real and true arbitration board everywhere, for they and they only represent the demand upon which the supply ever hangs. It is consequently utterly futile for any trade to come to the front with its long list of 'shalls,' even if backed up by a so-called Conciliation (?) or Arbitration Board, unless circumstances, or, in other words, the public will permits. In addition, too, it must be remembered that the public will ls not simply a local one, but to-day extends to some thousands of miles abroad by and through a cheapened steam travelling. As a practical illustration of 'recoil,' let it be supposed that two friends, residing some little distance in the suburbs, meet and discuss together concerning the difference in the cost of two bicycles and two ponies which they may desire to possess for the use of their families. Their leaning is to the ponies, but one matter alone, namely, the erection of a stable, makes this decision negative,. because of the extravagant price of labour lately put forth In a carpenters* manifesto of the rate of wages. Moderation will ever create new demands, while the unreasonable and extravagant only tends to either kill the same or else to guide it into other channels.—l am, etc., N.Z,

Auckland,-June 9,. 1895,.