CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 228, 9 January 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

"SWAPPING," AGENTS AND "VALUATORS," Wherever the boom is there are the land agents gathered together, a very natural proceeding on the part of anybody who sees a chance, to ''get rich quick." Everyone will agree that in the multiplicity of land agents tliere is danger to the pocket of the client, and too wide a distribution of commission. The latter, at least, ,' would be the point of view of the established land agent, who suddenly found himself in competition with a huge influx of men into the profession. The profession is an easy one to enter. During the land booms in the cities dozens of men left their occupations to become

agents, and as they all desired a portion of the spoil, their presence helped sutistantially to place exorbitant prices on land. Many of the city agents existed then and still do exist for the furtherance of "exchanges," a method of barter that has done more than anything else to put fictitious prices on both city and country property. In cases where property is only held for quick disposal or exchange it follows that each transaction must represent a profit for somebody, and that this is tacked to the suppositious value of land. The reputable agents are in competition with an army of persons who are out to "make a rise," and the combination turns its eyes on the public as a possible victim. New South Wales is about to insist on the registration of land agents, and this will probably bring the business of that State under more reasonable control. Although a suggestion was made some years ago, during the destructive Wellington land boom, that land agents should be registered, nothing happened. The loud protest of a, few persons is generally considered of more importance than the general community. The business needs regulation badly. It must have occurred to newspaper readers that land valuing is a quaint business, for in court eases involving values it has often been demonstrated that valuers varied by thousands of pounds in their estimates. The fact that most land in specific districts is assessed on the basis of the portion which has brought the highest price is one of the reasons why a land valuer should have special qualifications). Apparently anybody who says he can value land is allowed to do so, and there is no doubt that valuers should be licensed. Tlie iniquity of farm "swapping" is too well understood to need much comment. The' system offers a premium to sharp practice, and the evil is deeply rooted in North Taranaki. Sales at present bear only a nominal duty, but in fairness they should bear full stamp duty. This would put a nail in the coffin of the "swapping" system. Again, the agent is able to obtain and demand payment from both "swappers." It should be impossible for him to demand commission except on the amount of equity. Land as a medium for gambling is a useful commodity to the gambler, but a tremendous handicap to general progress. It is absurd, on the basis of a land gamble, to assert that "values" are going up. Price is not value. The squeezing of an extra hundred pounds or so by n land gambler does not make the land involved able to carry more cows, or grow more products, and the present system, or lack of it, helps gambling in !land in its most pernicious form. In the meantime, it is useless for the eminents to deplore the persistent increase of prices. The problem calls for deeds, not words.

A CORONER'S RIDKK. A coroner's rider is a useful article if the authorities take any notice of it, hut recommendations are not law, and "human flesh is cheap." At Gisborne lately a waterside worker was killed by a sling full of salt which fell on him while he was working cargo. The coroner who made the necessary enquiry suggested that the gear used for working cargo should be periodically tested and examined. Anybody who has seen laborers working cargo on a busy wharf knows that their lives are frequently at the mercy of the gear. The mistake of a winchman, the breaking of a cog, a sling rope, hook, the slipping of a bitch, a hole in a coal basket, -mtl so on, might lead to the death or rraiming of a worTer. Waterside work<T~ cannot be independent. Protests a! i"ii I frayed or weak ropes, worn winches, ban baskets, or poor hooks would be unpopular. Shipping companies have the i-lmicc of plenty of men who are willing to risk their lives daily. Three years ago, commenting on an accident of a similar nature, we took the liberty of suggesting a step that would go even further than the (iisborne coroner wishes. We then held that besiues periodical examinations of gear by officials, independent of ship's or company's officers, the ship's officer in charge of wharf work should examine all gear each time it is used, and should certify in writing that it was sound and capable of the work for which it was used. That is to say, in order to minimise the very frequent risks, somebody Should be made responsible, and the oflieer in charge of the work is the proper person. Frequently enormous loads are put in slender slings, and the layman not only wonders at their inadequacy, but at the cheerful disregard of danger common to the average waterside worker. While on a subject of interest to shipping companies, it is appropriate to suggest that a sudden descent of inspectors on many ships at at present trading between Now Zealand ports or intercolonially would disclose other gear that needed' overhauling. It would be impossible for every skipper, if called on to-morrow to swear that the running gear of his lifeboats was all sound and fit, to lower the boats instantly. For an official to stray on to some boats and call for "fire and wreck stations" would cause confusion. We advance the opinion that the ship's officer in charge on entry of a ship into any port should certify in writing—as suggested in the case of cargo-working gear—that all life-saving tackle is in good repair and running order. There would be no difficulty in the matter, and the safety of the travelling public and the waterside worker demand it.

WORKERS' 00-OPEIUTIOX. Labor in its struggle to obtain more pay for the work of its hands, has frequently by obtaining; its demand done a good deal to dry up the fountain on which it subsisted. It will be conceded that the worker is entitled to obtain the full value of his work and that this has not been gained without organisation and determination, but it will also be conceded that the results have often been destructive and not constructive. It is, of course, all very well for organised labor to lay down the principles on which employers should run a business, but not always feasible that employers should view the matter from the same standpoint. In Xew Zealand where organised labor practically demands control of industries without supplying cash capital, it has hitherto admitted its business inability. Where labor is able to lay down rules for the conduct of employers it is obvious that Labor itself should bo capable of running a basin -ss from appoint of view, supplying b.-ains, cash and work. Because Labor has organised, employers have also organised, simply for protection and to conspire against the public to maintain prices consonant with the ever-increasing demand of labor to obtain a larger proportion of the profits. Co-operation of Labor to produce for its own profit the goods it formerly made for the employer is the most reasonable and practical method of "lighting the bosses," and so it is refreshing to know that the Bootmakers' Federation Conference has decided to undertake the manufacture of footwear on their own account. No one doubts the ability of a corporation of mechanics of any class in Xew Zealand to conduct an enterprise in their specific calling, and this initiatory business will 'be watched with great interest throughout the whole Dominion. Most of the employers of labor in Xew Zealand have themselves been workers and many have achieved success despite all handicaps, and it is conceivable that there is as much talent among the workers at the bench as there is in the upper strata. Unfortunately co-operative workers are not always happy families. The theory of brotherhood and mutual protection is a nice, kindly one, but in the

oinl individual qualifications, individual -tris-ings and individual selfishness dominate the situation. If this labor experiment succeeds (and we hope it may) it will demonstrate that at least one class of workers can sink internal differences and work for a common end. If it is proved that co-operation of skilled mechanics gives to each co-operator a better living than he could obtain by dependence on a "master," it may revolutionise to some extent the business life of the community. The point of view of the public is not the point of view of an emancipated worker. The public will be glad of the increase of co-operative schemes if in the deal the pocket of the public benefits. If combinations of workers conspire less to bleed the public than private manufacturers, the public, on which both depend, will heartily vote for businesses rim by the co-operative entciprise of workers.