Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 20, 1890. THE CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7219, 20 September 1890, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 20, 1890. THE CONFERENCE.

The resolution moved by Mr Perceval, the Opposition Whip, in favour of a conference of employers and employed, with the object of terminating the civil strife between capital and labour, was at once accepted by the Government, and is to be acted upon immediately. The ready acceptance on the part of the Government did not, however, meet with favour from many of their supporters, especially that one who is believed to be waiting for " dead men's shoes." Mr Bryce exhibited symptoms of strong hostility, remarking that Mr Mitchclson never rose " without making him nervous." This expression of dissent waa followed in tho samo strain by one or two who look to the member for "Waipa as their leader. The object of the Conference being conciliation, it may be a little difficult to understand at first sight why the motion should be opposed. A conference of representatives of the contending parties cannot possibly do any harm, and may have the effect of bringing about an understanding and a settlement of the difficulty. But, said the dissentients, " the Government should not interfere !" They failed to understand the distinction between interference as a partisan and as apacifioa- j tor. Itmustbegenerally admitted that the first duty of the "Government is to promote the peace, happiness^ and prosperity of tho people ; and It is accordingly absurd to contend that a crisis involving national loss and a serious hole in the revenue, does not concern and should not affect the conduct of the Ministry. There is a party who are making the most of the present dispute for electioneering purposes, and who are working and labouring to combino and array what are termed tho classes against the labour party, with the hope of getting a majority returned at the ensuing election. Eeconciliation to the.se astute gentlemen is nol therefore desirable at present. The chairman of the Union Steam Navigation Company is a keen politician, but ho will do nothing that conflicts with his interests, and as peace depends very largely on his disposition, we Bhall watch very closely his attitude when tho Government invite him to the Conference. lie would like to foster the Conservative reaction, but ho would not sacrifice tho dividend prospoets of his company. If Mr George McLean declares for war to the lniifo, nothing will bo done, for he is the leader of the capitalists in the present crisis. Jf, on (he other hand, he is afraid of opposition to the splendid monopoly ho has built up, he will easily find the means of meeting the Maritime Council and the Trade Unions in conference These bodies thomselves have no motive to prolong the contosfc ii! they can obtain certain guarantees. But that's the rub. The contest began in Sydney, and tho cause is not in New Zealand. In one sense this should render the settlement of the disputo an easy matter, but thero is a feeling of loyalty among the Unions that if their cause is injured in a neighbouring colony, it will be injured everywhere. The " solidarity " oi labour iR of recent growth, but, as may be seen from recent events particularly the money contributions from Australia to the fund of the London dockers it is rapidly becoming a power that will have to be reasoned with and cannot be put down by force. Season is tho thing which the troubles demand, not hysterical denunciation. The Conference, if it is held, will have the effect of formulating tho demands and grievancos of the respective parties to the dispute, and should load to a compromise. For no settlement will ever be arrived at if each party insists on pressing its demands to the utmost limits, and will accept nothing less. Thero must be both give and take, which is the essence of arbitration, and must in-

fluence all genuine attempts at conciliation. If the Government proceed in a firm and judicious manner in the task they have undertaken, the Conference ought to be within the bounds of accomplishment ; and that once in progress, with the contending parties face to face, there is reason to hope a way may be fouud out of the present difficulty.