THE LABOUR BILLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8631, 29 July 1891, Page 3

THE LABOUR BILLS.

TO THE EDITOH. Sib, —Thanks are due to Mrs. AMfg for drawing our attention to some of the tyrannies and absurdities of the so-called Labour Bills. While thinking of the origin of such measures, I haveibeen carried back in memory some 30 or 40 years to the time when I was working in a factory with 50 or 60 other men. During the winter months overtime kept us at it from six in the morning to eight or nine at night. : Our knowledge of business was circumscribed by the inside of the four walls, but when I managed to bore my way to the outside trade of the factory, I learnt a few things I did not know before, and found employers were not so bad as I had previously thought them to be. Wow I think these Labour Bills are drawn np by men who have the narrow and prejudiced view I have mentioned, I supposed we all admit that mankind are tyrants at: heart, and the so-called working men are no - exception-indeed I think history proves them rather worse when opportunity offers. To take an example from the Factory Act. Section 1, clause 5, says if an employer of .one or more hands neglects to forward to the inspector within 14 days a plan and full particulars of - the building or factory, he is liable to a penalty of £50. May I ask who is injured, or what evil is committed by such omission— think again, only £50! Is the working man mad that he is doing his best to prevent his own employment. The whole tendency of these Bills will be to shut up and prevent industries being carried on by the penalties and petty restrictions, and by employers being placed under the tender mercies of male and female inspectors. I feel more strongly than I can express the wrong that is being done the country at this time, If the Government had retrenched honestW and carefully, assisted land settlement judiciously, and kept clear of class and faddish legislation, we might have prospered, bub when they will listen and legislate for any. old woman, masculine or feminine, who wants an Act of Parliament passed to ;i protect " softies '' and babies from the consequence of signing for a 2_id book, I think our lawmaking is playing pretty low down. But there not behind all these Bills the lucrative billets to. be created to carry them out, a fresh army of Civil servants ? , Civil servants did I say ? _ nay, tyrannical masters rather. who of malice aforethought or ignorance will be our ruin. Can I be right in believing that our disinterested and honest horny-handed members are crying for more honorarium When will a more noble sentiment dominate men's minds, and selfishness be trodden under foot?— am, &c., 7 U.S.A.