LABOUR QUESTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 230, 29 September 1890, Page 2

LABOUR QUESTION.

To the Editor of the "Evening Mail.'» Sir. Some of ttie speakers at the meeting held in the Bishop's schoolroom thought the Typographical Association had committed a great mistake in refusing to allow women to work wifch them, even though they were paid equal wages with men, They evidently thought it a most laudable thing that women should be free to earn their own living. Now, it is admitted on all hands that the price of labour is regulated by tha supply at command. It is notorious that where labour is plentiful the wages are low. When maohinery was introduced numbers of men were thrown out of employment, consequently the price of all labour fell. The wealth then of employers increased, while that of the employees, taken both individually and collectively, diminished, Not content with their increased gains, the general body of employers encouraged the employment of women in many of those branche- of labour hitherto carried on by men. The result of this increased coma petition has been most disastrous to the employees. Can it be wondered at then that there should be so many unemployed clamouring for work ? It was bad enough when man was in competition with his brother maa only, but when this competition is aggravated by the use of machinery, and then more so by the introduction of women and ohildren'B labour, I think it is time the working men combined to put an end to the iniquitous system of competition. The employment of women and children in plaoe of men sitnply means, in effect, that a mau must compete also with the members of hia own famiiy for a livelihood, Is this not a disgrace to our Christian civilization ? Theu are not the members of the Typographical Association justified in refusing to work with women 2 I Bay, decidedly so j and I cannot understand why some of our most reputable men should assert the contrary, knowing that increased competition must tend to lower .vages and diminish the col» lective wealth of the employees. It is laudable for women to support themselves independently of their relations if necessary, but they should carry on those occupations only which cannot by their very nature be carried on by man. It is not surprising that the number of the unmarried should steadily increase under our present system of competition. It is plaiu also why, under the fair exterior of society, there should be so much misery and sin. I will olose as, no doubt, you will think this letter long enough, but kindly publish it in juatioe to the Unions. — I am, &0., Lover of fair play.