LABOR UNION.

Oxford Observer, Volume 1, Issue XXX, 8 February 1890, Page 3

LABOR UNION.

To the Editor oj ' The Observer. 1 Sir,— The question, " What is to beoome of the .weak man under the Union system " is continually cropping up, and, to my mind, has been effectually answered, but to those who are still unconvinced that no injustice would accrue, I will endeavor to prove thai their fears are groundless. A person requiring a horse, selects one for the performance" of the work required— a carter puts the hea^vy^ horse m the shafts, and the light one in J the' lead ; the harvest man selects a medium Clydesdale for his machine, m preference to the clumsy Suffolk punch ; the lady prefers an active hack for saddle or trap, before a heavy Jpunch ; and so each horse gets into position, comfortable to himself and profitable to his employer. Laborers are managed m exactly the same way when led by a boss who understands his work. I remember a gentleman who was for many Jyears m the service of the Provincial Government (Mr Martindale) who could boss a hundred hands of mixed physical abilities, fitting every man m his place, and lighten the work with cheery voice and words of approval. If heavy weights were to be lifted, he would say, " Now boys, here's a chance for distinction ; all together ; heave ho, cheerily ; well done my boys." To the lighter men he would say, "Bun out the gear, and be ready for the word; you, Jack, be ready with oilcan and lighter tools ; and then to the lightest and weakest, "You can write, I guess. Yes, ah 1 I lived m the same street as a great scholar myself. Take this book and pencil ; write every name m the broad margin, and I'll tell you more bye-and-bye." I think the weak man has nothiug to fear ; very often what he lacks m muscular development he balances with skill and cerebral power, and often outstrips his heavier competitor. Those who have become entirely unfitted for heavy toil, I grant you have some cause to fear their lot as a hard one now, but I cannot Bee that the Union Iwill make it any worse, on. the contrary, I think that when the principles pf,ita advocates are carried out to the full, ita members will be m a better position to assist their fellow-men, who are less, fortunate than th.emse.lves. The opponents; ot, the. Union Bay that the price of. labor should he ru^d. by

the same principle as merchandise, i.e., according to supply and demand. Lei us see how this would app^y to horses — a cruel teamster would reason as lol.ows: horses are cheaper than oats, whip them, wear them out, and buy another team, but here the law Steps m and defends the poor animal. Now, there is no law excpt the Divine, which says, " Jhou shaft not oppress the laboier m his hire ; " consequently, when labor is plentiful there is nothing to prevent a cruel seifish employer tibta engaging laboieru at such a rate lhat they canuot purchase their food, and tha Jesuit is crime and paupinsm, demoralising to tbe community, and expensive to the State, ihoid that when Unionism is fully developed, governed by wise* laws — which wih ruaKe oppression on the one hand, and ext ntion on the other impossible — then it will have attained the truest predictions of its advocates. — feelings of amity, confidence, and respect, between capitalist and workman, and will tend very much to the mitigation of pauperism and crime. I want to say this'to my fellow men of Oxfoid. So far as the rale of wages and the character of jour bosses are concerned, you have^little to complain of. But I want you to read what is going on m other parts of the world m connection with this great subject, and, when you have made yourselves fully acquainted with its details,'! venture to affirm that there is not one man among you who will not consider it his duty to join us m this great cause, which is spreading so rapidly throughout all the British dominions, and how much further God only knows. The hearts of the united workmen will ere long beat m unison, and that will be at mighty throb. The great powerf vl B united voice of millions will ere long demand, as a ri^ht, what they have often asked as a boon, 'iiie world will be forced to recognise that '• The Earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof ; and m His great goodness and Benevolence, He hath created it that ail his creatures may eat and rejoice." Statisticians have proved that {the earth produces more of the necessaries of life than the present population requires, and yet a large propoition of people are m want of food and clothing. Is an equitable adjustment impossible. Not at all. This sorrow is produced by the collective sins, (iod has fitted the earih with good things ; if you decline to share them out properly that is not His fault. Combine heart and soul for virtuous purpose, and I have not the least hesitation m affirming that by joining the Union you will have m your hands a most power/ul instrument to your own good and the world at large. In conclusion, allow me to say that the advocates of this cause have no personal interest to serve, either pecuniary or otherwise, that they were not the original agitators, and that they are placed m their present onerous position at the request of their fellow-work-men, as being known sympathisers, but having accepted the position, are determined not to betray the trust repose m them. Yours, &c, Sympathises.