LABOUR CONDITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 301, 14 September 1908, Page 2

LABOUR CONDITIONS.

Sir,—l' feci.compelled to .writ© to you, in respect'to the degraded conditions that tho employers of labour are subject to in New Zealand. By tho long reports in your last issue can be seen lists of employers brought before the judge, and, in nearly every case, fined,. with' a possibility of imprisonment, through tho flimsy complaint of some indifferent workman. I think the present position is a disgrace to any country, employers . having to employ oertain half-skilled workmen because they bolong to some union, and to suffer their disrespect. The most; competent artisans do not need to become members of unions. Again, let any person notico the ; slow, loitering movements of tho workmen. They are sufficient to ruin any employer. A workman of thirty years ago would do double the work done now. When we read in papers how the judges in the ,Arbitration Court have heavily fined parents because, after .they have struggled for . many years to provide and bring up children,, they get some assistance from same, one naturally asks if this is any inducement to liavo children. " Tho presont law makes it risky for any person to give employment. If you give a starving waif.work,.even for oneday,. for your own safety you must insure that person from possible accident, or it may cost you dear. I think Mr. Samuel Brown is not aggressive enough on the Arbitration Bench. What with this agitation on the wharf and amongst the bakers, I think this Dominion is just on .the down grade. The Government are employing a host of officials in the Labour Department and, with the judges and others, it must cost the Dominion a heavy sum, and all for no good. Tho late Mr, Seddon provided all the advantages the labour unions' now enjoy, and what gratitude did they show ? Shortly— before his death, they were so bitter towards him that, they would have been glad to do him.any injury. 1 trust every person in this Dominion that has any stake here will not pivo a singlo vote to Sir Joseph Ward or his Cabinet, for their fostering and encouraging of tho unions and the late strikes, and pandoring to tho Labour vote. _ Why should tlioro bo a Minister for Labour in the Cahinot, and the employer be ignored? It-is a lop-sided policy, and will hinder .the industrial progress. I say, in conclusion, it is a degrading and unsafe position to be an, employer, and tho continuation of the present system will cause ruin to this" country. I think tho niembors of Parliament must see wljut is taking placo, and should quickly niter snnie. —I am, etc., CHAS. SIMMONDS.