A FREETRADER'S DREAM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5502, 29 February 1896, Page 7

A FREETRADER'S DREAM.

[oYoni the Lyttelton -Times.] Ij? '• working men " havo, as alleged, beßn showing a disposition to join the National Association, the speech of the member for Clutha to the Christchurch branch of that Association the other ' evening should mate them Seriously consider whither they are tendirig. Mr Thomas Mackenzie, besides being famous as an explorer of New Zealand's hack country, .is noted for -his frequent excursions iuto the realm. o£ . political economy. "Whatever may be the value—and we ao not seek to minimise it— of his researches in the western wilds of Otago, Mr Mackenzie's economic excursions always result in leaving him standing exactly whore he did before, as an uncompromisiug freetrader who is unable to see that the special circumstances of a new country call for any modification of the dogmas of 'the freetrade "cult." The member for Clutha is a humourist, and- as ho is not always sufficiently careful to explain his jokes, or to intimate when he is playing the humourist, it is not safe to take him seriously on every occasion. In giving his politico-economic views to such an important body as a branch of, the National Association he may, however, fairly be assumed to have talked in sober earnest and according to his best understanding of the situation. Mr Mackenzie denounced recent legislation in this - colony as^ of a class - character, as being directed against capital and enterprise, and as being socialistic and experimental. Heyveut further, and gave an unmistakable indication of - what he considers ideal industrial conditions. There should be no legislative interference with those who exploit the workers ; men should be content with a fair day's wage— the employer, we presume, being sole judge of what constitutes that desideratum. All the one-sided legislation of the past should stand, because it is. in favour of the employers. That, according to his view, is a wise and* beneficent state of things ; but it becomes " class legislation "whenever' an attempt is made to equalise matters. Freedom of contract is to him as great a comfort as "that blessed word, Mesopotamia." was to the devout worshipper. He even objects to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration , Act, which interferes. with the glorious liberty of employers to lockout their workers and starve tbem into, submission, according to the law of "freedom of contract." This measure, he pointed out with a fine affectation of horror, actually ■" placed in the hands of the Judges of the Supreme Court the final power to fix the- rate of wages that should be paid to those who are employed." . Almost in the same breath he said that power had been, taken out of the hands of " the people "—meaning' thereby, palpably, the superior governing class— and " placed in the hands of irresponsible people." Mr Mackenzie's fervour at this particular point made him rather incoherent. The Conservative. orator,\ when he talks of irresponsible people, usually means men without property or " a stake in the country " ; but' the member for Clutha appears to ■ include Supreme Court Judges under that definition.. His remarks in opposition to conciliation and arbitration are in perfect accord with the attitude of many shortsighted employers. JTroin di.---f extent quarters reports arrive of . nominations . to the Conciliation Boards byi/ivorkmen's unions, but in every case the announcement follows .that no nominations have been made by the (-employers. - Of course, these tactics, though they may please the employing class, will not defeat the Wise intention of the Act, for the Governor-iu-Council will simply make nominations to the Boards in lieu of the employers. It is an expiring struggle for the maintenance of freetrade in labour and for the continuance of the old regime of industrial strife, misunderstanding, ill-feeling and economic waste. The dream of the freetraders, that it is possible to roll back the wheels of progress, cannot be realised. The National Association and all its forces,, mental and material, cannot convince the workers' of New Zealand that they would become more prosperous and happy by accepting Conservative and freetrade guidance, by repealing the Factory and Shops Acts, and by reverting to the old unhappy methods pf adjusting industrial differences. Mr Mackenzie, in urging his plea for freedom of contract, stated that employers in New Zealand had to face the competition of those iv the Old Country and elsewhere. As he ignores the fact that employers here enjoy alarge amount of governmental protection, the inference is that he wishes that to be continued, while the protection to the workers is abolished. It is well that the National Association has thus clearly had its' views and aspirations expressed and emphasised with applause. Those who are not fortunate enough to be capitalists or employers of labour will be able to say whether the " National " dream of freetrade is one that commends itself to their calm judgment. ,