POLITICAL INDUSTRIALISM AND GOAL

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1923, Page 13

POLITICAL INDUSTRIALISM AND GOAL

10 IH« EDITOR.

Sir,—The present trouble in connection with the coal mines on the West Coast ought to prove a lesson to the public on the essential viciousness of endeavouring to run our industries on' the line of politics. That certain mines, which should be serving the public, are at present closed down is very unfortunate for everybody. The mine owners are losing; the mine operators are losing; related trades and workmen are losing; the general public is losing. From the standpoint of sane industrialism the whole position is a sorry business.

When we come to analyse the situation the trouble appears to be due in a large measure to the mixing of industry with politics. Since the stoppage of work this has become even more eccentuated until we find the leaders of the political Labour Party treating the whole industrial issue as one exclusively of politics, out of which they hope to make some profit for their party. Mr. H. E. Holland, Mr. Nash (party secretary), Mr. P. Fraser, and other politicians have all taken the matter up on that ground, and have raised issues of prosecutions, nationalisation, and other questions which get us nowhere in the way of resumption of business and work. One of the greatest drawbacks to industrial prosperity amongst us, on which the living of our people depends, is the ever-recurring tendency to look at "industrial affairs in the light of political objectives, motives, and interests. Late and soon the politicians (amateur and professional together) are pushing their way into control of industry, trade, commerce, and finance, as if politicians were "the be all and end all" of existence. ;

It is not much of an ideal for many working minors to be living on charily wkilit there is work they cv go to

I which will leave them independent of outside assistance. There must be a good many of these men who resent having to see their families dependent on what may be got by sending round the hat. Left to themselves, the working miners would, most likely bring this matter to a close in short time, but it is Being carried on for the political objects which are being held in view all the time. It is not the employers but the industry that pays the wages, and with the "go slow," or stoppage, wages must decline, and eooner or later cease altogether. This is one way to abolish the wage, system—to draw no wages—but it is neither individualist nor socialist: it is simply a senseless waste of doing things. *

Even' the advocates of nationalisation of industry ought to see that to cripple an industry and then take it over is a most stupid line of action. If it is thought that by making the mines unpayable in the hands of private employera the people will be forced to vote for making them State property, the intelligence of our people is being lightly estimated. Surely it is time that the miners, as practical men, put aside politics as a guiding principle of their industry. Work should be resumed under the award and any matters of difference outside the award should be dealt with by conference of both sides. Only in this way can we see that a return to normal will be secured, and the .sooner it transpires the better for all concerned. —We are, etc., . N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE. 13th October. • •

10 THE EURO!.

Sir,—l note Mr. Bishop's reply to the exposure of -the mine-owners' profits. It is quite relevant to state that it waa ho who fir6t brought to the notice of the public the question of the profits made by the coal owners. All that I have done is to point out that the facts which he submitted were misleading.—l am, etc., W. NASH, National Secretary, N.Z.L.P. 13th October. ,