The Guild System

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 74, 21 December 1937, Page 13

The Guild System

Sir, —As a student of history I, too, have noted the happy condition of the social order that prevailed during the existence of the “Guild System” in the Middle Ages. It appears that the major problem with which our Government is beset just now is the reconciliation of capital and labour. To all students of sociology it must be abundantly clear that “this union” is highly desirable; for upon its success or failure to happily effect “this union” may depend the fate of civilisation itself. There did exist in England and Europe at one time a system of things from which we to-day could learn much, and with much profit. Many to-day would be astonished to learn that the wage level existing in England during the time of the medieval trade guilds was the equivalent of about £l3 of our purchasing power today. But while I am an admirer of the medieval system, there is, to be quite honest, a doubt in my mind as to its practicability to-day. For one thing, this being an age of big units in industry, the ownership and responsibility consequently must rest in the hands of a few. In the Middle Ages the essence of the guild system was small units of production, arising from a widely distributed ownership. Secondly, I personally cannot see the people going back to the past for their inspiration; I feel they would regard it as reaction and not progress. If “Jerome” can enlighten ue on this matter I for one should Tie delighted, and trust that he will in any case reply to these lines.—l am, etc., E.G.P.T. Wellington, December 17.