INDUSTRY GONE ASTRAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19352, 4 September 1934, Page 7

INDUSTRY GONE ASTRAY.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —What is the object of industry? We walk through the business area of any city or town and we note palatial buildings wherein goods are for sale, or we pass through factories where goods are being made. Marvellous machines are used to expedite the manufacture of goods, and we ask, "For what purpose?” In olden times men produced goods for the service of the community, &nd 8, pride —legitimate pride —was taken in producing articles worthy of an Industry. In a large city like London we notice wonderful pieces of furniture or brassware, and works of art. These are collected .In our museums, etc. Today, however, everything is standardised and machine made. Even the food we eat is packed up in nicelooking cans or packets. Are all these goods produced and sold for our benefit?— Decidedly no. Ask any manufacturer or shopkeeper why he sells, copimodjlips. he MjiL answer, "In order to obtain 1 a li\ehhood, or a profit, or a dividend foi shareholders." Oftentimes one has heard a' so-called "business" man remark, "I am in this to make money. Why’ Net A few centuries ago our people worked for the common good. To-day, in the City of London, we have the City Guilds, who nominally belong to, the trades, but now hold banquets to eminent visitors an d . dispense charity from trusts in their bequeathments. ' With the. rise of the industrial and the machine age individuality passed away, and a keen competitive system took its place. We turned from a brotherhood of craftsmen to a system which alienates man from his fellows In the scramble 'for profits. The animosity between individual competitors produced the trusts and monopolists, and this evil spirit has spread to nations. Hence to-day we find ourselves fighting our kith and kin over quotas and tariffs and making enemies of nations that once were our allies and friends. If this spirit persists, then there is only one end —war It would be wise if our Chambers of Commerce, our manufacturers associations, and our trade unions would make a thorough study of the guild svstem of the fourteenth century and adjust these ideas to modern industry. The goodly fruits of the earth, whether they be wheat, fruits, vegetables, or boots and furnishings, are divorced from the intentions of the Creator. Nature bountifully supplies humanity with an abundance of the needful things of life “without money and without price." Man steps in and ruins the blessings of providence for a greedy, selfish profit. “Without money and without price” appears like a prophecy of social credit. Can wo adjust matters in time?—l am, LtC '’ TIIE WATCHMAN. Hamilton, September 1, 1934.