LOW PRICES AND THE COMING ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10148, 3 June 1896, Page 3

LOW PRICES AND THE COMING ELECTION.

TO THIS EDITOR. Sib,—This question appears to have created a considerable amount of interest, as evidenced by the letter from Waiapu in outissue of May 28, over the signature of ' the coining man' in support of my letter in the Herald, of April 30, and by the favourable comments of a previous correspondent from Mauku. I cannot imagine how there can be anything but unanimity upon the necessity of something being done immediately to stop the fearful waste of public money that is going on, to lessen the cost' of living, and prevent our rapidly-increasing indebtedness. I am confirmed in this opiuion by what I have had represented to me by others, who believe that it is a question' that is uppermost in the minds of the agricultural population. I am convinced that it.is from the country that any effective measures must be initiated, as it is there whepe low prices are mostly felt, because there can be no protection from the depressing effect of cheap labour 10,000 miles away, or indeed in any part of the world, all of which acts on that world's barometer of prices, the London market, and by which our own prices are regulated here. One of the latest instances of this is the report that British capital, subscribed by syndicates, is forming a combination with the cheap labour of South America, by which they expect to be able to produce milk at lid per gallon, supply England with butter, ana put » high rate ot interest into their own pockets, unless we and the rest of the world are prepared to produce for export at the same price, and at the same time supply our civil servants with still cheaper milk and butter. This is but one example of the competition that is rapidly increasing in everything that comes from the soil; and is surely a good enough object lesson to make it clear to all that nothing short of ' a universal federation of labour' can stay the cruelty Of this keen competition, and that this should constitute New Zealand's foreign policy. four years ago I urged the necessity of this course in the Auckland press, and more fully in the pamphlet you printed for me three years ago called the 'Social SafetyValve,' which I wrote on my return from England, after seeing the conditions of labour there, and also those prevailing in the cotton industry in Ceylon, where I saw on one floor 400 black men almost naked weaving cotton on Lancashire-made looms, at about 6d a day. How much keener does this competition between nation and nation need to become before the people will realize that it is exactly like military warfare in this respect, that nothing but arbitration and arrangement between the involuntary contestants engaged iu it can put an end to it, and so obtain relief by providiug a share of work tor all, and a fair wage for the labour done ? But we need also to carry out a ' home policy,' which lies nearer to our hand; and the question is, are we going to do it; or are we simply going to air our grievances in the newspapers occasionally and then allow matters to drift ' My own idea is that we should lay down a platform of very drastic reforms before the coming election, and pledge every candidate to do his utmost to carry them out, no matter what colour he professes to be, or whether he claims no colour, which is much to be preferred. , If we keep clear of colour and keep to measures, I do not see why every local body should not consider every proposal and suggest others that may strike them, or call meetings in their district to discuss the political situation, and pass resolutions on matters that may appear of importance to them. They could also appoint one or two delegates to attend any meeting in Auckland that may be called for the purpose of constructing a policy of necessary reforms in which reasonable self-interest would ensure unity. I would also suggest that every labour organisation iu Auckland should send one or two delegates, as their true interests and policy are identical with those of the country in freeing themselves from indirect taxation, and lessening the ost of living and of Government, and by preventing the waste of public money, so that there frill be more to spend on labour and public works. Perhaps they might then see how much wiser it would be to ally their forces with a definite policy, irrespective of colour, which they must know at once would benefit thkm all, rather than pledge themselves to support any party at the beck and call of a few, who wish to keep in existence the advantage.", or emoluments that come from party government, or who are looking forward for favours to come in recognition of the special barracking which they have carried on. With yonr permission, sir, I will suggest a few important reforms in another letter.— I am, etc., J. E. Taylor. Water Lea, Mangere, May 31,1896.