LABOR V. CAPITAL.

Colonist, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5896, 1 September 1890, Page 3

LABOR V. CAPITAL.

(In.Threb Chapters.) Chapter 11, To the Editor of the Colonist. Sib, — The question has unfortunately in tsnsified since the first chapter was written, and a rival dialogue 13 in print. However, as my two dia'.ogists decline to be influenced by tiit-m, Capitalist -will reply to L-ibor. Capital : You concluded JaH night with a grandiloquent peroration on the dignity of labor ; but therein was an implied threat, or at least prophecy of a bad revoiutioM ; labor's dignity would be seriously discounted if their unionism and strikes led up «to bloodshed. Pablic opinion would set in so strong against them that collapse would be inevitable. Labob: Intolerance of action begets intolerance in language. You threw, down the guantlet last night and prophesied that L-jbor would cry peccavi. Doi-s this invite conciliation, or invoke resistance. What this latter may lead to, is a problem ; if the ass had not brayed the lion might not have discovered his whereabouts, and more might have been left of him than the tail. Your contention is for money ; ours 13 for human beings, and their advancement. . You appear to place sticks and stones aa of equal ra-ue with: flesh and blood; will you understand , that in point of numbers capitalists are as 1 to labors 20, why Bhould the mihoritv rale absolutely ? Hag not the recent Representation Aot been framed ialmost wholly in: the interest of numbers?. Property qualification hwl to take a baok seat, and this ie the New Zealand law ;by which we ; are governed^ Clearly : capital must BUrrend^^^ tights ; labor is quite prepared and anxious to- meet Jt on equal term* with & view to seitle by oonf erenge wbat a revolqti(Jn cannot

settle. Why delay the inevitable ? Capital: For oentnriss the upper olass have been privileg-d to rale, and have by their prudence commanded the confidence of capitalists, so much so that Great Britain stands uaiqne as a model of all that is honorable and fair. Labor might well submit to the ruling of such men, and not commence a crusade against oapttal, without which progress is .impossible. Capital ba3 never, nor will not now, Buooumb to labor, ; but from another point of view when labor enters into an engagement with manufacturers at a price, that price enters into his calculations juat as muoh as the cost of bis machinery and raw material. Both are elements go* venting the price of the arliole produced, which beoomes a eet price ; if the labor item rises, tha manufacturers profit vanishes, or is seriously reduced. Will you say that Capital is wrong in resisting the rise in wages ? Labor: Tbifl question is best answered by asking another. Daes the manufacturer ask labor whether he shall introduce improved or automati'.-. machinery ? Some genius invents ft mau' ;i:=e that with two attendants performs the woik of 20 men, the capitalist who always has bis eye to bnsiness, buys one, and the account stands probably thus : — Then 20 men at 8s a dr.y for 800 day per annum, £2409 ; now 2 men at 8s a day for 300 day 3 per annum, £240 ; cost of machine, £1200 ; life of machine. 20 years ; annual deterioration, £60 ; interest on outlay of £1200 at 5 per cent £60, £360. Will you say that labor is wrong in asking for a rise in view of a teourrenoe. by the introduction of another similar machine? or oan you state a parallel case where capital hns given a bonus or annuity to discharged men. Here is a gain to the capitalist of £2000 per annum dear of interest. Is it not a faot, Mr Capital, that if it happened that £2000 a year had been lost, a redaction of wages would be made or tried on ; every argument advanced still further proves the necessity of a more complete understanding between us. Capital ; These arguments are beside the point; and you ; have left oat tha labor required to make the machine. Further, when a serious and costly accident occurs, who but tbe capitalist hag to bear the brunt ? Labor ! It is evident capital will not yield, and will have its pound of fleeh. Id conclusion for to-night, I will renly to your last question by asking another. Wnen a serious and costly accident occurs and 50 or 100 iiveß ere lost, ;or as many maimed, who but tbe workers and their families have to bear the brunt ? A sensational subscription is made by tbe humine outsiders, and the capitalist employer probably heads the list with £100 for 100 lives, bat the oripples require constant attendance. Let ns endeavor at our oonoluding meeting to devise some Ecbema uniting Capital with Labor on an equitable basis. Youm &c, Mobb Axox.