INDUSTRY AND NATIONAL PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 53, 2 March 1916, Page 7

INDUSTRY AND NATIONAL PROGRESS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —One hears so much now-a-days about strikes and agitation for increases in wages, that we seem to take it for granted that these things must be. Indeed, some people tell us thai an ever-increasing rate of wages is really an indication of progress and national advancement. But when is it going to stop, and what must be the inevitable result? Not only is an increase in wages continually demanded, but shorter working hours are also requested, so that in some cases an employee to-day receives double the wages for doing about half the amount of work as formerly. Now that unionism has practically killed competition in the labour market, what, in the future, is going to decide the actual value of labour? Labour agTtators boast that there is no limit to their demands, and that they are out to get all they can without regard to the real value of services rendered. One has not to be very wise to see that the result of such reasoning must be disastrous, not only to the individuals themselves, but to the nation also. lam not opposed to a fair Tate of wages —20 years ago I went, on strike myself—but there must be a limit, and I think workers should be more reasonable, and should endeavour to do the maximum amount of work in return for increased wages. More sympathy towards employers should also be shown. Employers often carry tremendous responsibilities, and often work harder than employees themselves. The stability of any nation depends almost entirely upon the industry of its people. The British nation owes its position to the past industry of its people, and if we are to hold our own as a great nation we will have to change our ideas somewhat from an industrial standpoint, and prepare to work more assiduously than many deem it necessary at present. Probably the most outstanding feature of the present war is the wonderful resources of the enemy. One asks where has Germany gained the wealth that has enabled her to put forward such strength? She has gained it through the industry of her people. The masses of her population are very industrious, and, in addition to supplying their own requirements, she has been exporting to other nations the surplus of her productions, thus bringing to herself untold wealth. The German workman works considerably longer hours than we do, and is satisfied with less wages. It seems, therefore, if we are to keep in the lead we must push forward from an industrial standpoint, and throw more energy into our workshop, our business, and our farms. There are thousands of farmers in New Zealand that hsvebeen compelled to give up cropping and dairying, and, in many instances, to leave the land altogether, because they found the employment ■of labour so unsatisfactory and unreliable. We have here an ideal climate fox the production of. butter, cheese, wool, etc., and no effort should bo spared to make the most of it, so^as-fcc> farther increase oux exports, and thus prepare to meet the ihavy war taxation, that 5* inevit- :