VAIN DISPUTATIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 136, 9 June 1906, Page 4

VAIN DISPUTATIONS.

The manifesto of the New Zealand Employers' Federation, which ■was issued a few days ago from the executive's new headquarters in Dunedin, is a comprehensive and ably-drawn document. On all points which relate to the working of the labour laws, and to what may be called the immediate issues of tbe struggle between employer and employed, the arguments of the federation are entitled to a respectful hearing, and on many points they will command the approval of public opinion. With regard to unconditional preference to unionists, for instance, we believe that the employers will continue to receive the support of a large majority of their fellow colonists. Sucn a concession might well develop' into "an autocracy of labour that j would make the^Jife of an employer ov non-unionist workman simply unbearable" ; yet even here the contentions of the federatiori would carry greater weight if they were supported by more logic and less rhetoric. But th*/ two most regrettable features of the manifesto are, in our opinion, the repudiation of the possibility of conciliation and the general denunciation of Socialism. Remembering "the bitter antagonism to employers" displayed by the members of the recent conference of trade unions, "the federation regretfully recognises the hopelessness of any return to conciliation." We join with the employers in deploring the' spirit of hostility displayed by some of the delegates referred to, ' but it seems to us that those responsible for the manifesto might have shown a little more tact in endeavouring to heal the breach if they are really anxious to do so, instead of making the hostile criticisms passed at the conference a ground for pronouncing it incurable. W-e also regret the space given in- the manifesto to a general attack upon Socialism. Tho Trades and Labour Conference is undoubtedly open to the criticism that it lends ritself too much to abstract questions which aro better fitted for a debating society than for a body of practical men assembled on a strictly business mission. Sweeping resolutions in favour of tho nationalisation of everythintr do their cause no good, and In© Employers' Federation, which wisely confines itself more closely to business, seizes upon tho practice as proof that the real issue is . not as to the actual working of laws which have been ten years and more upon the statute book, but as to whether or not the colony is yet ripe, or ever will be- ripe, for a fullblown scheme' of Socialism. The employers' viows of Socialism as represented by th© manifesto are certainly somewhat vague, seeing that resolutions passed by the Trades and Labour Conference in favour of tho stoppage of the sale of Crown lands, and even of rating on unimproved values, are actually selected as among tho 6ix which illustrate the fatal and unbridgeable gulf of Socialism dividini> the two organisations. The employers will not better their position by ranging among their antagonists tho supporters of unimproved rating, who, of course, include some of the sturdiest individualists in tho land. "Tho federation," says the manifesto, "is not opposed on principlo to trades unionism or to labour legislation. Tt is, however, opnosed to the extreme 'Socialism of the labour leaders." Yet the employers' executive must know perfectly well that tho very legislation to which "on principle" they have no exception to take would be denounced by the employers of the Old Country, for instance, as representing the very quintessence of Socialism. The moral of the controversy seems to bo that practical men like the members of the Employers' Federation and tho Trades Councils would be wise to leavo these abstract discussions alone. It is a mistake to complicate a strenuous agitation with attempts to define and, discuss highly elusive, not to say indefinable, abstract terms ; but co long as Labour leaders make " nationalisation " a fetish, their opponents will retort by making Socialism a bogey, and they only need a George Reid at their head to lead th© country, off tho track of practical reform into word-fencing and logic-chop-ping of the kind in which mutual improvement societies delighted when *' Looking 'Backward" was a now book.

The Marine Department has received from Sir James Hector a written ' confirmation of his previously expressed opinion that the fish caught after spawning in the Hakataramea River, and forwarded to Wellington for identification was % true quinnat salmon. A sample of the petroleum oil which is expected to place the coping stone of success on the pyramid of prosperity built in Taranaki by the butter industry, has been forwarded to this office by Barr, Leary, and Co., brokers. It was obtained from tho bore on the Taranaki Petroleum Company's property at Moturoa," and though uninviting enough in •ppeamnce, assails the sense of smell with plaip evidence of those properties which go towards making its value. 'The Wellington branch of the Navy teogue has received information that the United * States man-o'-war Baltimore will not , visit Wellington, as was arranged. The change of arrangements has been caused through ' the illness of Captain Sargent.- The Baltimore will leave Auckland for Australia direct in the course of a day or two. •The'amrual meeting of the Wellington branch' of the Navy League will be held in the last week of the current month, Hid will take the form of a reception at which afternoon tea will be partaken of. The Wellington - branch of the NewZealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children held its fortnightly meeting yesterday, Airs. A. R. Atkinson presiding. There were in attendance Lady Stout, Mesdames W. Fell, M. F. Darvall, A. Hoby, Misses Coates, M. E. Richmond and Walton. Six fresh cases were reported gince last meeting, one being of alleged cruelty and others of neglected children and children, in undesirable surroundings. Subscriptions were acknowledged with tliiauks from the following:—Mrs. J. Myers £2 2s t Patterion and Co. £1 Is, Dr. M'Gregor £1, Mr. Glasgow 10s, Mrs. A. R. Atkinson, Mr. F.W., and Mr. Sheridan 5s each. A special meeting of the City Council ril be held on Thursday to pass a special order declaring Coatfcs-street, Onepuroad Tully-street, and Vallance-street, Wellington, to be public streets. St. Peter's Schoolroom -may be obtained for entertainments of various kinds. The evening dress suits, dinner jackets, and frock coats made at Mr. D. Milligan's rooms (Kelburne-avenue) are unsurpassed in the best London houses. —Advt. • Messrs. Macdonald, Wilson ancl Co. in«ert an advertisement of a sale of tho Gilbert Machinery Co.'s stock of machinery, belting 1 , oils, packing, etc., by order of Mr. Dalston, tho liquidator in tho above estate, on Thursday, 28th June, at 10.30 o'clock. Catalogues aro being prepared, and will bo posted to any address on application to the auctioneers. 1 -Messrs. Baker Bros, draw attention to their replace advertisement of properties for sale. Mr. J. L. Varlow elsewhere announces having commenced business as land and estate agent, Customhouse-quay, next Express Company's office. Several properties are specially advertised in another column to be sold by Messrs. W. H. Morrah and Co., viz.: sroomed villa, land 40ft x 275 ft, vicinity Newtown Park; Cuba-Street, a building •ection; and at Crofton, a quarter-acre section, frontage to two streets. .Messrs. F. and G. Castle, chemists and druggists, of 37, Vivian-street, «nd 3, Cuba-stieet (late Wilton'e), advertise their prescription service elsewhere.