The Oxford Observer. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY MAY 12 th, 1894. OXFORD SLEEPERS.

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 12 May 1894, Page 2

The Oxford Observer. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY MAY 12 th, 1894. OXFORD SLEEPERS.

, The blow received to the trade of Oxford by the Grovernment declining to* accept the Sleeper tenders appears at first sight a heavy one, but on second thoughts, what with commissions, royalties, long trams and expensive machinery, there has not Been much m it. for some years past. We have not heard for a long time of a Sawmiller retiring on his laurels and running over a list of 100 em,ployees whom we have known, we cannot discover one who has saved enough out of his wages, to purchase five acres and a 5 cow.- ' * i ;.-■-;*;. i • Itas we suspect, a good many "hands are thrown out - i©f emplpyment .we" shall deeply sympathise with them and sincerely ■hope thaV some; otHeju source of income will open ;out to keep the wolf from the door. "We notice by the way that one mill has been advertised to let

and a footnote indicates that the proprietor would be willing to treat with men who are willing to work on. the co-operative principle. We hail this as a good sign (viz) that there are men who are willing to give workmen every opportunity of helping themselves. Timber will always be m demand, but of course fluctuations must be expected m that trade as well as any other. It is easy to get together a gang of good workmen who can boast of at least one of the party possessing a good set of brains and some commercial knowledge and we cannot help thinking that a cooperative sawmill is an idea that will work out profitably to any gang of men who have pluck enough to engage m it The idea at first sight appears rather socialistic, but there is i-othiag new m it, thousands of gold claims have been success- J fully worked on the same principle employing double the men that a sawmill requires and the men have worked together amicably for years, sharing their profits and when one has drooped with sickuess, he has been tended and provded for as a brother. There is a charm about cooperation which commands itself to every right thinking mind. There is. music m the sound. It means to work m unison, it means to work both individually and collectively for the common good. It means m short a collective brotherhood with one heart and one motive and if composed of the right material is certain of success. Capital is required of course but not so much as would be required by one individual to start an industry on his. own hook, as the bit^k of the capital would be represented by bone and muscle and slack times are more likely to be tided over, because there would be no wages screw put on, a process by which many an honest boss has been compelled to sacrifice his little capital and dry up the source from which the labour fund is derived. But whatever the system adopted whether by labour co-operation or amalgamation of owners, the sawing industry should not be allowed to lapse, merely because the Government ceased for a time to be a customer. Sawmills paid before a single sleeper was cut and will again if never a one is ordered. And there is a collateral advantage not to be lost sight of, as the timber crop is removed the land becomes valuable for grazing purposes and bye and bye the stumper will get work and after that the plough-teams will be seen winding their way round those rich clay spurs and golden grain will be seen there, as well as the golden fleece and good milch cow. We conclude by wishing success to our mills and our future graziers and farmers on those fruitful hills.