Labor Legislation.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 166, 25 July 1901, Page 3

Labor Legislation.

(To the Editor of the Times.)

Sin, —Let mo disabuse Mr Lowndes’ mind as to'any intention on my part to blame the working man for doing the best for his family. More honor to him for looking after those dependent upon him, and the better ho looks after them the better I shall like him. Nor do I for a moment contend “ that the top of the tree can only be attained by capital,” as ho would like to make out. Wo all know that in Now Zealand, at any rate, labor occupies that much-covcted’position, and smiles with an air of complacency and benevolence upon capital, whilst the latter has all it can do to keop its seat on the branches that are nearest tho ground. Mr Lowndes concludes in tho following words : “Wo have a labor representative there who knows what we want.” I presume the Honorablo James Carroll is tho person and tho llouso of Representatives the

place indicated in this veiled threat. The idea of Mr Carroll being put forward as a labor representative is very amusing. It is true that ho has sufficient cleverness to know that to retain his seat ho must fawn and pander to the so-called labor party, whose legislation of late is of a character calculated to take one’s breath away. As one writer on a recent occasion truthfully'observed :—“ Is it not high time in this quaek-ridden colony that freeholders combined in some society or association throughout the length and breadth of tho country to withstand the unjust proposals affecting the freehold tenure of land ? Is tho policy of blundering and plundering to go on unheeded and unchecked ? The colony is '■ fairly dominated by quacks, faddists, cranks, and so-called labor legislators, who bid fair to ruin the country—referendum, single-tax, land nationalisation, prohibition, rating on unimproved values, State banking, and every crack-brained nostrum that a restless aud unthinking majority can force down tho throats of a too passive minority.” “ What the Labor Party want.” In very sooth they want all that the capitalists have got and more besides. Surely Mr Carroll has a-duty to the numerous employers of Gisborne as well as to the employees. Workmen must remember that Now Zealand is not tho only place in the wide world which offers itself as a field for investment. This colony appears to mo to be only a place of resort for philanthropists and persons who wish to be fleeced. No man with sense would think of putting money in any industrial pursuit in this colony with the present labor law's and threats of labor unions. Surely there should be some reciprocity between the employees and employers. My only object in writing to your paper was to point out that I consider that tho workman who is in receipt of good wages should insure himself against accident. If he declines to do so, then the employer should not be compelled to do so. The employers throughout the colony should take a firm stand in this matter and absolutely refuse to engage men who are not insured. Apologising for tresspassing on your valuable space.— I am, etc., New Chum.