Labour and Capital.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 554, 10 August 1889, Page 3

Labour and Cap ital.

A CO-OPEEATIVE EXPERIMENT IN VIOTOBIA.

(To the Editor of the Observer.)

Sir. — Your paper is now recognised as the " people's paper " over yonder, and deservedly so, seeing the way you give publicity to all matters affecting the welfare of the people. lam an old subscriber to the Observes, and I can honestly say that never in my experience did it deserve such popularity as it does at the present time, and if you continue to conduct it in the future on the lines that you have laid down, it will grow to be a power for good that few think of now. The importance of the question, and your ever-ready willingness to ventilate and allow discussion in your columns of matters touching the interests of the public, is my only plea for venturing to address these remarks to you. I read in your paper that the Rev. Mr Hill has entered the lists against Henry George's theories on land nationalisation, &c, and with whatever success he may combat Henry George's remedy for existing evils, he cannot with his eyes open explode by argument the reason that Henry George has given as the cause of much wrong that needs righting. In Book V., Chapter I, " Progress and Poverty," Henry George says : — " Hence from the speculation in land we may infer all the phenomena which mark these recurring seasons of industrial depression." To that cause might be traced the depression from which New Zealand is now recovering.

What are the facts over here at present ? We have all heard of the land " boom " which raged in Victoria last year. We are beginning to realise the effects of it now. lam working at a saw-mill where there are about 40 men employed. Our manager called a meeting of the men and said that since Ih6 land boom collapsed, the price of timber has gone down from 25 to 30 per cent.; horse feed and other incidental expenses had gone uj>, and he was obliged to reduce the wages by 7£ per cent., or close the mill, in consequence. lam a believer in Henry George's theories on this question,, and I believe that the time is coming when they will be in universal practice in spite of the Eev. Mr Hill. It seems to me that that time has already dawned, but it will take time to educate "the masses" up to the point when success will be actual. There have been delivered in Melbourne lectures advocating the co-operation of labour and capital. Following closely upon that was a suggestion which was laid before a meeting of the employees of this mill by their " chief" to work this concern on the co-operative principle. The proprietor (Mr Boberfcson) is a Scotchman; he has been for a number of years a saw-mill proprietor in Victoria, and has come to the conclusion that the business can be worked more advantageously to both employer and employees, and with this view he called the men together to ascertain if he would have their sympathy and support in the movement. All were unanimously with him. He is now engaged in formulating a scheme which he will lay befoie us for signature. Whether it will be a success here remains to be proved, but all honour to Mr Eobertson for being (I believe) the first in the Australasian colonies to make a practical experiment of the theory of co-operation of labour and capital. (It is in Henry G-eorge's remedy). If the idea is a success here, no doubt it will become general elsewhere, and can there be a better antidote for the strikes that are so constantly occurring, and that will make this 1889 notorious for their number ? The greatest difficulty I can see in the matter will be to find men who will be honest and conscientious enough to work " each for all, and all for each." C. Campbell Mclnnis. Comet Saw Mills, Wandong, Victoria, July 20th, 1889.

[We have pleasure in receiving the above testimony to the spread of co-operative ideas, and we hope that Mr Kobertson's experiment may prove successful. Our correspondent in his closing sentence states an apparent obstacle to the co-operation of Labour and Capital ; but it should be remembered that, while. human nature remains as ie is, there must be provision made for obedience to authority and for exacting a fair day's work in return for the wages or profits paid. In any co-operative concern, there must therefore still, be task-masters and " bosses," but of course the tendency of co-operation will be to make men put more conscience lin their work. S^.e.' trust to. hear, of the progress of 'the -Comet Saw Mills.— Ed. Obsebver.] ' •■■■ ->v>:.