The Waipawa Mail. Saturday, August 30, 1890.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 2499, 30 August 1890, Page 2

The Waipawa Mail. Saturday, August 30, 1890.

In some quarters it appears to be assumed that the formation of an Employers’ Association for New Zealand will be the means of effectually crushing the labor unions, and enable employers to dictate terms to their workmen. We do not believe that the employers have such an intention in view, or that such an effect is possible. A Wellington telegram informs us that a meeting of the committee of the Employers’ Association, which is in course of formation there, was held last Thursday. The business was chiefly confined to the adoption of rules, which were framed on a broad basis so as to include employers of every class from the largest to the smallest. It was decided also to invite the co-operation of the Chambers of Commerce throughout the colony for the purpose of forming similar Associations, which should all be affiliated. The opinion was unanimously held that the labor Unions would welcome the formation of a representative body of employers with whom they could deal, and that the organisation of the employers was the first step towards finding the via media out of the present disputes, which, it was alleged, wero injuring all classes of the community. This is the rational view of the matter. If formed and conducted on any other basis, the Employers’ Association will soon sow the seeds of its own dissolution. Had it been formed on these lines long ago, and enforced the obedience of its members, we should probably not ha ve heard so much of organisations amongst workmen. Such an Association will have the means of effectually abolishing “ sweating ” and all other tyrannous practices of a section of employers. Representing all classes of employers, soulless corporations will not exercise supreme sway. Should it endeavor to uphold great wrongs, those employers possessed of conscience will detach themselves, just as the labor unions, oq thp other hand, will fall a prey to inward dissension if their demands are not regulated by reason and justice. If the present labor troubles had produced no other result than the formation of an Employers’ Association, at least one step would have been gained towards the ultimate solution qf the

problem. If the settlement of disputes be left to committees of the representative bodies on each side, there may not be any frequent calls for further reference to any Board of Conciliation or Arbitration. The elements pf unfettered personal liberty and individual control of one’sown business will disappear on both sides. A combination of capitalists will have greater facilities for enforcing the obedience of its members than any trades union has with regard to union men. The unionist may become a “ free laborer,” whatever that may mean, and still be protected by the law ; but no laW cap compel a banker to discount the bills of. a tradesman who may refuse to join an Employers’ Association, or to obey its rules. Many businesses are only made to pay by the practice of “ sweating.” It is to the interest of humane employers to stop sweating, and to frame their rules accordingly. "We do not expect, therefore, that the rules of the Employers’ Association will differ materially from those of the various trades unions.

With reference to Mr George Hunter’s, reported candidature for Waipawa, we learn that nothing is yet definitely decided. The matter is still under consideration, and he has already received large assurances of support in the event of his deciding to come forward. Even Opposition journals, in discussing his qualifications, have nothing to urge against him, except that he is an untried man in the field of politics, and that he has committed what is to them the inexpiable crime of owning more than a “liberal” allowance of lands and sheep. There is, no doubt, a certain section of electors with whom the latter argument is all-sufficient, and it is useless to waste time or words in vaiu attempts to convince them that the possessor of a large stake in the country is not necessarily an enemy to progress. It would be impossible to find a candidate who would have a greater advantage at the outset in respect of personal popularity; and in these days of labor struggles, when the aid <?f the unions is being so largely sought for political purposes, they will do well to distinguish those whose professions of sympathy with laborers are most thoroughly exemplified in their practice. In this respect Mr Hunter’s record will bear the severest scrutiny. Moreover, he has a kind of hereditary claim to the support of uuionists, for his grandfather, with another gentleman, was the initiator of the eight-hours movement which has now spread over the civilised world. Owing to Mr Tanner’s late announcement of his intention not to seek re-election for Waipawa, there has not been much time for tho choice of a candidate to succeed him. The electorate is so large, that any candidate who might bo chosen would be unknown to some section of his constituents. So far, no candidate has been announced on either side; but it is very desirable that a speedy decision should be arrived at.