THE LABOUR QUESTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 932, 10 January 1890, Page 28

THE LABOUR QUESTION.

What a vista of possibilities has been opened up during the past six months by the startling

occurrences in connection with the labour question. Labour has made a mighty e ffort of self assertion, and has advanced a wondertully long stride toward that goal of ardent philanthropy—comparative equalisation in the distribution of wealth. That absolute equality in this direction ■will ever be accomplished we know is about as unreal an ideal as could be set up by the most visionary of enthusiasts —at least -.such a consummation is very very far ?away from these days of grace. In 4he dim future indeed does it reside. But that there will be a lessening of extremes of wealth and poverty so as to make existence more wholesome to the one and more endurable to the other, we have not the slightest doubt whatsoever. A nd it is to this modification —and oDly to modification not let elling, as rampant socialists trumpet forth—that the labour movement is directing its energies. Repressed and ground down in the past, labour has since the development of its latent potentiality—-dis-played remarkable moderation, and £l3 extreme of conservatism that is

really astonishing. Its broken bonds lie at its feet, and yet its movements are as deliberate as during the days of bondage, and its demands are governed by a reasonableness amounting to almost magnanimity. The differences with capital that have arisen out of the demands of labour have been adjusted with celerity and equitableness, and there is an all round recognition o£ the necessity of meeting the conditions of the new' position in a spirit of fair play and honest consideration. If true to itself, and moderate as well as just in its demands, labour must command the situation, which is, however, somewhat peculiar. The labour upheaval has of course come from below. The stratum on which the greatest pressure rested has struggled to relieve itself, and has succeeded. . Relief has been administered where it was most needed. The unfortunates afflicted by the “ sweat ing ” disease havß had their lot ameliorated, and by their own exertions. Than ourselves, no one rejoices more at this happy result, for the antecedent condition was disgraceful to humanity. And from this lower stratum right upward the labour tremor is being felt. The impulse has been communicated, and must pass outward in the order of things natural. The movement of one labour section disarranges all the others, and compels readjustment. The disturbance cannot be confined to one or two or three particular sections ; it must be transmitted until the natural equilibrium is restored again. Any section ot labour that demands and obtains increased remuneration merely takes from other sections, and they in their turn will ask for, aud must have, consideration. And in the term labour, we include every form of moneymaking, from the shilling -a - day slave to the merchant prince. All are inter dependent, and respond with magical sensitiveness to pressure on any part of the labour system. Hence the action of those tradesunions that have been moving recently upward and onward will of necessity set up corresponding action, all through the system, later perhaps than sooner, but certain to occur. For labour is a fluid that must find its level. No one, two, or three trades-unions can hope, even, to particularly benefit by labour agitation. They may not expect to obtain more than legitimate value for their efforts. And legitimate value is proportionate levying on every class of labour. If the baker demands more for his bread the butcher responds by raising the price of meat, the shoemaker of his wares, and the tailor of his. And so on right along the labour line, clerks and schoolteachers, parsons, and even newspaper men must participate, until, at last, the very heart of capital is reached, capital enthroned, sensitive as well as powerful and ponderous. And quick to respond it presses a lever and lo ! —a thrill passes with electric rapidity right through labour. The result is very simple : more has to be paid for the use of money. The currency is sensibly appreciated. And the total grand result is a rise in the prices of all commodities and things. But the extremes of the movement are most affected : the lower and poorer benefit most proportionately, the upper and richer least by the rise in prices, because its wants are more numerous and it expends most. It seems to us that what we have striven to tersely demonstrate must be the order or the labour movement.

That labour will be true to itself iu the long run may be regarded as conclusive, but it has to pass through many waters before it is co-ordinate with capital. It is true that labour aud capital are convertible terms they are one and yet distinct, and it is this distinction that sets up irritation between them and arrays one against the other. Labour efforts at emancipation are more or less clumsy, and lack that perfect cohesion so essential to success absolute. But this will improve by practice, and then will bo recognised the force, the indispensableness of unselfish unanimity. There are serious rifts apparent in the labour lute, not the least of which is the selfish intriguing of the demagogic element and the inclination of labour to overreach itself, as witness the action of those permanent deckhands in London who are ignominiously deserting their less fortunate co-labourera in a common cause. And so as to the disposing of the funds so generously contributed in relief by the Colonies. The sections | of labour that have been agitating in

Loudon do not come out of this with credit. But they may demand, and must receive, liberal allowance for such shortcomings. The evil will bring its own cure, and the progressive efforts of labour henceforth will discover fewer and fewer of the imperfections that now somewhat mar its fair fame. Labour organisation has yet to be reduced to a real system, but when it is there will be no going back, neither will there be any halting, indecision, or injustice. Labour will be controlled by laws rigid and yet adjustable ; not infallible because of their humanity, bub striving after justice, and full of compassion.