DRIVE OUT SELFISHNESS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 93, 1 April 1911, Page 11

DRIVE OUT SELFISHNESS.

AUSTRALIA’S GREAT NEED

APPEAL FOR INDUSTRIAL PEAGE.

In the course of a valedictory speech delivered at a meeting of the council of the Employers’ Federation, Mr. T. J. Hitchman. a former president, who is leaving for a six months’ trip to England, expressed regret that the industrial horizon had of late years been clouded by a spirit of unrest. “I have a very deep affection for this country, and for its people.” said Mr. Hitchman, “and I recognise it to be one of the most beautiful lands in the world. It is a country that possesses unrivalled attractions for the immigrant, and it is a matter for regret that while we have such vast areas of idle land, so few people are coming to our shores to avail themselves of the wealth that lies undeveloped. To me Australia is the one perfect country. And, if I may say so, it is the last country that was created. but being the last it had all the care and attention of Providence bestowed upon it.” With an abundance of wealth, with everything on hand to contribute to human happiness, it was

an unfortunate thing that they had to turn their attention to industrial matters, and not always in their most pleasant phase. During the last few years very serious difficulties had sprung up between capita! and labour. Instead of the two forces coalescing and settling the points in dispute by amicable conference and arbitration, the tendency had been to adopt a course that indirectly introduced bitterness between the parties. The demands of labour had become accentuated, often unreasonably, frequently unjustly, The country had advanced with great rapidity, and everywhere the conditions of the workers had kept pace with the advancement. The workers were today enjoying benefits that were undreamed of a few years ago. Luxuries which a short time ago fell to: 1 the rich alone were now the com-j mon privilege of This prosperity had created a peculiar position. It had given the workers advantages that were, 'unfortunately, in some instances abused. Demands were made on capital that could not be fulfilled. The flaims were pressed with such eagerness that a larger share of :he prosperity was often secured ay the workers than was altogether warranted by the progress achieved. The demands followed one on ;he other much too fast. They were rot always just. it was a fair :hing that the benefit should be

shared by the men that helped to create it. Those who had invested capital, given their brains and energy in the development of Australia, were not always considered by the workers to the extent that fairness demanded.

This was a regrettable feature of the industrial situation. It was one that must be overcome if the best interests of all were to be preserved. There must be greater harnibny. a binding of the opposing forces into one compact, strenuous whole. When troubles arose or points of difference required settle-’ ment or conditions called for amelioration, the workers should try to solve them by peaceful discussion with their employers. If they did this better results would be ob-

tained and a more perfect understanding established. The stumb-ling-block was the middleman. His attitude was generally aggressive. When his fellows said, “Let us ask for a 14af,” he invariably replied, “No, let us demand two.” Th’s (ended to create a spirit that grasoed for all, irrespective of fairness or equity. It was manifested :n the endeavour of many of the work ers to press for more than a f" >r thing. Out of this, perhaps, had grown that characteristic of many Australians —the spirit of selfishness.

l there was undoubtedly a spirit of I selfishness, and it found expression • in the desire of some people to keep > the country to themselves. There - should be no objection to a large ! influx of immigrants to swell the > population. The country called for > settlement, and by settlement alone . could employment be created for . the many and the general prospe- . rity advanced. Australia needed . population. It had great undeveloped riches. He was told by those best able to judge that immense wealth lay dormant, waiting population to develop it. Surely it should be the main object of everyman in the country to do his best ;to induce immigration to Australia from Great Britain. Men that had come out here and prospered—this applied equally to the employed as to the employer—should lay aside I that spirit of selfishness and encourage their fellows in England to ccme and share in the good things c this land. “Let us drive out that selfishness,” concluded Mr. Hitchman, “and ask our own flesh and blood to come from the crowded cities of Great Britain to enjoy 7 the wider privileges, the greater prosperity, and the glorious opportunities this country affords the industrious worker. We have established manufactures, and to develop them to their highest capacity 7 —which will mean more employment—we need an increased population and a lib- 1 eral settlement of the land.”