SOCIALISTIC LEGISLATION. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2665, 12 April 1905, Page 13

SOCIALISTIC LEGISLATION. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Apnl 5. In the course of his address at the annual mooting of 'the Chamber of Commeice. Mr Shirtcliffe. acting-president, drew attention to " the decided Socialistic tendency of some of our present-day legislation." The effect of this tendency, he, said, which one could not help viewing with considerable misgiv-" ings, would be,- fin his opinion, to restrict trade and to stifle all ambition in the individual by depriving him of the opportunity to use whatever ability or energy he might/ possess in thfe'best interests of himself and those dependent upon him — while it 'was--' nowadays recognised that it was right and proper for the State to undertake the management of railways, electric telegraphs, and similar undertakings of a national character necessary for the development of the country and th-e convenience of the community as a whole, there was a distinct danger that the principle of State interference with private enterprise might be carried altogether too far. The State Fire Insurance Department was quoted, and the acting-president continued :— " It is no doubt a comparatively easy matter for the Government with the whole resources of the colony behind it to render unprofitable any private enterprise with whion it may choose to compete, and by an extension of its trading operations in various directions to practically ruin those who have invested their capital in and devoted years of patient work to the development of the industries of the colony. If the State makes a loss on its trading ventures, such loss must be made good by the country as a whole out of the consolidated revenue ; but losses by private trading concerns have to be borne by individuals, hence it surely follows that State competition is neither legitimate nor equitable, and it behoves the trading community generally, and the Chambers of Commerce thronsrhout^ywie country, to oppose by all proper means the further interference by the State with private undertakings." He urged that the right of certain sections of the community to combine for the purpose of obtaining higher remuneration for their services, already well recognised by the laws of New Zealand, should be allowed to apply to all departments of trade and commerce "To put it in another way, if the insurance companies, or any other trading concerns, are to be met with the opposition of a Government department to break down rates, or bring about cut prices, then, to be consistent, the Government should discountenance the laudable efforts _ of the labour unions to improve the position and earnings of their members. This, of course, I do not admit."