The Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1921. THE BONUS WITHHELD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16455, 17 June 1921, Page 6

The Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1921. THE BONUS WITHHELD.

Th© judgment of the Arbitration Court in the bonus appeal brought by the workers’ unions can hardly hare been a disappointment even to the appellants. The appeal was rather 3 a futile business. It invited the Court to reverse its own judgment, which had been arrived at after hearing arguments in every district which had been visited. The Court was bound to require some weighty facts before allowing such an appeal. The case was argued with a good deal of ability, but there w r as nothing conclusive to show why the Court should not adhere to its original judgment. It might have given a compromise finding, by ordering part of the bonus to be paid, and using the balance to try out ita principle of stabilisation, but that would have given satisfaction to nobody. Having mapped out a certain definite course, the Court showed both strength and common sense in deciding to adhere to it. We do not think that there will be any disappointment among the great body of workers, though the more militant section, which are responsible for most of the resolutions which appear from time to time, will do their best to parade the judgment as a further evidence that the Arbitration Court is the friend of the capitalist. It is freely recognised, however, that the times are difficult, and are likely to become increasingly so. The Court expressed the opinion that an increase in labour costs would seriously hamper industry and result in an increase of unemployment The latter problem is making itself felt, though it is not yet acute, and it would receive an impetus if wages costs were raised on the employers. That fact is recognised by many of the workers, who are not at all anxious to be partners to the creation of further embarrassment, to the danger of their own earnings and occupations. They take the view that half a loaf is still much better than no bread, and that if make a deoent living wag© during the period | of trade depression they have no cause for dissatisfaction. An interesting reference to the subject of industrial strife, and its effect on the nations, was made by Mr Harold Beauchamp to-day in his address to the shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand. “The world to-day,” ho says, “ is economically ill. Never in its history has there been such a Babel of economic discussion as we have had during the past twelve months, and yet none can say with any degree of truth that Capital and Labour have been drawn closer together. The reverse is the case, and the breach has been widened by the delibrate efforts of self-seeking agitators. . . Labour has not realised itß responsibility or shown its appreciation of the serious position in which the nations of the world are placed at the present moment. Extremists appear now to exercise an undue influence in the Labour movement the world over, and strikes, direct action, go-slow, and similar tactics have brought the nations to the verge of collapse. The Socialistic quacks, who rule many of the Labour unions to-day care not for the future

welfare of the workmen or the general stability and prosperity of the country.” This is perhaps an, unduly gloomy and pessimistic picture, but it cannot be denied that to some extent it reflects the position. The efforts of far too many leaders of Labour thought have been devoted to pulling down instead of building up. They promise a new earth after the destruction of the existing capitalistic institutions, but their record of constructive achievement is nil. In Australia the Labour unions have succeeded in closing up several promising industries, resulting in the creation of unemployment and loss of wealth to the country. There is a limit to the strain which may be put on the industries of the Dominion, and it is well that at the present time it should not bo increased.