THE PELORUS GUARDIAN FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 1890. Cause and Effect.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 66, 12 September 1890, Page 2

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 1890. Cause and Effect.

There must be some, cause to produce an effect, and to arrive at a basis of settlement of the present difficulties between labour and capital we must endeavour to ascertain the cause which has led up to the present complications. It is asserted with a good deal of truth that the education of the masses has led workpeople to see more clearly the disadvantages under which they labour, and that there is, practically speaking, no difference between man and man than what is created by the difference in wealth. Intellectually and morally there is a wide difference between one man and another, but it does not follow that because a man is in possession of wealth that he is necessarily intellectually or morally superior in these respects to a poor man. Very often he is infinitely inferior. Vet, in the colonies particularly, the possession of riches by a man is regarded as a sure guarantee that he likewise possesses the higher attributes of nature, and he is placed in high positions accordingly. But there are men of great culture and high moral character who have not the inclination or qualifications to acquire riches, and so far these men are passed by as unworthy of notice by the bulk of the people. Education, however, is throwing a little light on the subject, and a certain amount of discontent has arisen in consequence, and two results have followed. In the first place rich man, in the majority of instances, have been chosen as our legislators, and all our laws have been made to favour that particular class; not only our statutory laws, but the uuwritte'n laws of society have all been in the direction of regarding the possession of riches as superior to intellectual or moral qualities. In the second place, the latter class have striven to iorce the public generally to recognise that the richness of a man’s mind, and not his pocket, should qualify him to be elevated to a position of trust. This conflict between intellect and money has caused a revolution in thought, and being backed up by the education of the masses, is gradually upsetting the foundation on which society has ■ been erected for centuries. Then we come to another phase of the subject. Daring the last fifty years the invention and manufacture of labour-saving machines has been so great that, notwithstanding the extra labour required in their manufacture,' it has caused the demand for labour to be diminished. To make a calculation as to how far it has gone in that direction would be a very difficult task; but we believe it will be admitted on all sides that labour-saving machinery has made a great difference in the demand for manual labour, even eupposing every allowance is made for increase in population, and the extra increase in the demand for manufactured articles owing to their cheapness. Let anyone take the pro- ; duction of wheat as an example, and make a calculation of a number of acres being produced under the old style of single plough, sickle, flail, &c., against the modern double-furrow plough, reaping machine, threshing machine, &c. Although labour-saving machines i have greatly increased, the hours of' labour have not correspondingly decreased, and it must necessarily follow there is a gradual increase in surplus labour. We will suppose for the sake of argument that machinery, after allowing for ail contingencies, has decreased the demand for labour one quarter, then it must follow, to equalize! the two, that the hours of labour must be reduced in proportion, or a large number of people must be in continual idleness. This js another cause of discontent which has led up to the present labour difficulty. Again, instead of the people generally deriving

any advantage from the increased producing power consequent on the use of machinery, they are even in a worse position in proportion to the increased luxuries produced, than they were before the invention of laboursaving machinery. Then add to this that the whole system and tendency of commercial enterprise has led to all the wealth gettinginto the hands of a few, to the detriment of the many, and we cannot wonder at the present labour revolution. This has set people thinking, and they now ask themselves the question whether this is right—whether money should be allowed tb accumulate in the hands of a small section of' the community—that one man should roll in wealth, and another should be in abject poverty. Then we have the increase in extraction of minerals, which has likewise been of little benefit to the masses, but has been collected together by a number of fortunate enterprising men or companies. Labour has, however, discovered its worth and, in the long run, is bound to assert its rights to a fair share of tlie earth’s production, arid if we wish to avoid such civil commotions as we are at present experiencing, every effort should be made to reward labour according to its value to the State. It is estimated that over £IOO,OOO per week is being lost to the country through the present labour difficulty, and this will give an idea as to the value of labour as against capital. The only practical way we can see put of . the present trouble, and to avoid farther complications, is to adopt the co-opera-tive principle in all enterprises, so that each one will be rewarded in a .fair and equitable way.

Beginning of the End. The fact that the officers are going back to their ships, and that the steamers are running with a certain : amount of regularity points to the conclusion-that the strike is -virtually at 'an end. A very grave error of judgment has been committed, and the only thing left for the Unionists is to make the best of a bad bargain. Tnousands and thousands of pounds have been absolutely thrown away which might have been turned to profitable account if it had been expended in another way. As we have previously pointed out, the money might have been invested in co-opera-tive stores, in the purchase of land, and other speculations which would have returned a good profit, and the Unionists jn the course of time would have practically become capitalists, and by a gradual process would have gained' all they have now been fighting for, but m a : more; legitimate and easy manner.; However, the present experience will prove a useful lesson, and by .thinking the matter out, working men will discover that by co-operating together they will be able to have all the profits accruing to capital without resorting to any such foolish and extreme measures as has been adopted on the presentoccasion.

The Natural Enemy. A settler in the Sounds informs us that'his cat brought into the house a young weasel, evidently out of a nest of young ones. This is a clear proof that these vermin which were introduced as the natural, enemy to the rabbits are spreading all over the country, and in places where there are no rabbits at all. Some nine years ago we wrote a number of articles in the Wairarapa Standard protesting against 4he introduction of this- socalled natural enemy to the rabbit, and pointing out that, like the sparrow, they would prove a greater curse than they would prove a blessing. If the runholders had said they were introducing them as the natural enemy to the small farmer they would not have been very wide of the mark, for it is quite evjdent small farmers are going to suffer pretty severely from these pests. This country, which was sirpply a paradise as being free from all kinds of vermin and wild animals, is being turned into the opposite by the foolish actions of men who have been placed in power, and who should have known batter. We suppose that wolves, hytenas, panthers, leopards, tigers, &e., will be the next importation of the natural enemy class, until New Zealand is over-run with all the pests to be procured in the world- If the affairs of the country had been wisely managed it might have been made the garden of the world, and a resort for perhaps millions of pleasure-seekers, but instead of any wisdom being exhibited our rulers seem to have acted with the greatest ipadness. We can only hope, but it is a yery fqrlorp hope, that tilings will he managed 1 better in the future.

Wo are pleased to call attention to a ne# advertisement from Messrs Ulouston and Co., and we learn this enterprising firm is shipping large quantities of our local produce, and our settlers having surplus stocks would do well to communicate with them. It is satisfactory to note: that Messrs Clouston & Go., are extending their business largely in the Bounds, and as they offer great inducements, we have no doubt they will receive every encouragement.

The Sylvo and Lawton Surprise .Company arrive here by special coach from Nelson: ; to-day,- and make their first, appearance in the Atbeneum, Theatre to-night. This clever little company are under, a considerable expense at present owing to the disorganisation of the Union Co.’s stearri boats, and we hope to see a crowded house to greet them on their first appearance. Their intentions were- to leave the West Coast direct , for the North Island, but the strikes have altered all their plans. The public of Havelock ought to thank the strikes for driving such a clever company along here, for it gives them a chance of witnessing one of the cleverest, as well as amusing, performances ever seen in Havelock. Don’t forget they appear this evening, and at'Cullensville Saturday and Monday, 13th and 15th. For further particulars see day bills.

It is understood that the British Government, .have offered £19,000 annual siib'sidf if the ’Frisco Mail service is retained. It is believed that with this and the American offer the service may be continued, Saturday’s Post states that a number of the shareholders in the Golden Bar Gold-mining Company met at the Evening Post Chambers' the previous evening for the purpose of considering the last half-yearly balance-sheet, and the question of the appointment of a mining manager, and also considering the rules of the Company, By general consent,, however, it was decided to adjourn the meeting' until the 3rd October, in order, to give the directors an opportunity of further considering matters relating to the foregoing. •Tenders are: invited,for working ike Wakamarina Gorge claim on tribute vide advertisement in another column.

The advent of any newcomer to the district' is always a- matter for I congratulation (says the Takaka News), and the more especially ■is this i the case when the settler is one who by any: trade or business, adds -to the comforts or resources of the Valley. Mr T. H. Scott, late qf Havelock, recently purchased the brewery at Motupipi, and has now fairly started in his business as a: brewek and maker of aerated >yaters, &c.., . . Sawyer, Wallace & Co., of New" York, have failed for £400,000, they attribute their losses to operations, inwheat and provisions. Captain Cook’s three years log has been sold in London for £4O. New Zealand cheese is' quoted at 455, the bulk of the recent consigh- ; ipepts became heated on the voyage,' and fetched from 28s tq 40s. Three hundred and fifty deaths a day from cholera are reported at Mecca; 1 . A great fire at Salonica, a seaport on Macedonia, has destroyed the Consulate and 1,200 houses. Thousands of people are homeless. Incendiarism by Turks is suspected. The Humphrey Gully Company, Hokitika,- completed ..cleaning . down boxes on Saturday with 3040 z, valued at £1,152.' The"mine has been relet on tribute for twelve months to Harris and Party of Humphrey.

A London cable states that Gaudaur and Hanlan will row over a three-mile course for a thoqsand dollars in a fortnight’s time. Messrs G. Gwillim, W. Dorreen, W. Perry, W. Price,, and W. Reader were duly nominated as Commissioners for the Havelock Town Board, and were declared duly elected. The Hall Exfcensiqn Committee have decided to conclude the skating season by a fancy; dress carnival on’Friday, October 3, when substantial prizes will be offered for the best skating qf lady or gentleman, A dance will also; take place after the skating, and as the prices for admission are fixed at,a very low figure we have no doubt a large number will be present. The skating rink will be open to-morrow night, and continue as usual up to date of carnival

The Havelock Town Board met last Monday evening. Present: Messrs Price (in the chair), Perry, and Dorreen. Resolved, That the necessary cleaning out of the water-tables on Mank’s Hill be done, and after passing accounts the meeting adjourned,

The Reef ton battery returns are:-r Keep-it-Hurk, 1550 z rstortedgold from 402 tons; Golden Treasure, 884 oz amalgam from 70 tons; Inkerman, 9200 z amalgam from 100 tons; Progress, 2330 z amalgam for the week; Globe, 7G2oz arpalgam from 190 tons (cleaning up for the month of gold); Fiery Cross, 5640 zof amalgam from 97 tons.

The return for the week obtained by, the Dunedin! Gold-dredging Co. was ttf the amount of 1520 z of gold] and. the Herdtilea Sluicing Co. obtained 596 z of gold, of the value of £228. . Mr Bishop, of .Brunnerton,.and, other gentlemen have purchased the punipirig machinery of tbeParoa Golddredging Company for the purpose of reriiovirig it to Nelson Creek; where' they are opening a special claim in the creek. ■ 1