VALE! LABOUR PARLIAMENT.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 4, 1 February 1906, Page 73

VALE! LABOUR PARLIAMENT.

The proposed gathering of the various forces representing Capital and Labour m New Zealand, which was to have eventuated under the above somewhat misleading title on the 20th mst., has been abandoned. While applauding the conciliatory motif of the Labour Parliament we cannot altogether arrive at a satisfactory deduction regarding the possible conclusiveness of its work. The idea of bringing such parties together to discuss leading questions, whose contentious nature must exist until the end of all things, was certainly a very high and meritorious one. At first sight, it appeared to mark a trend in the direction of the substitution of the self-interest of a group of individuals for the selfinterest of the whole community, and which, taking concrete form, was to give promise of the regulation of our commercial policy by those immediately concerned m its success. In short, the unparalleled situation presented m law-makers discussing a via legis with the representatives of the business public provoked a feeling that the industrial peace of the future was to be assured. But ideals were shattered : the quibblings of parties turned predestined harmony into discord ; equal representation became a difficulty ; nomination, to the satisfaction of both parties,, an impossibility. Ths industrial employers wished to know the degree of weight that would attach to the resolutions of the conference, and in many directions they held that, though good might come from the meeting, the issue was problematical. The New Zealand Farmers' Union stubbornly refused to join the Parliament, for the simple and happy reason that they had nothing to discuss ; while representatives of the Labour division capped all by demanding expenses and fifteen shillings a day for attending that which, as the Premier stated, was for their own good. Perhaps the chief cause for regret in the failure of the Labour Parliament lies in the shelving of matters which have no connection with party. Much was expected of the discussion that would have kept the doings of the International Harvester Company before the people. This concern, be it remembered, continues to trade m the midst of reputedly advanced legislation, promenading m business guise, plus cajolery and dissimulation, as it unerringly fights its way into absolute monopoly of the implement trade of New Zealand. Tariff reform, too, needs considerable attention on economic grounds. Anomalies abound ; and there is none greater than that pictures, paintings, drawings, engravings, and photographs, which so materially assist the techni cal and artistic bent of the community, should have to bear the imposition of twenty per cent. duty. Of the other questions, we have to mention the need for a discussion on our Labour laws, and in giving preference to trade unionists, to stipulate for the minimising of the unprofitableness of unskilled labour by instituting classes, or degrees, whereby a man will only receive a wage commensurate with his ability. And so on, ad inftmtum, could the Labour Parliament have deliberated. Perhaps, when the diametrical opposition of parties ceases, such a gathering will be possible. Until then, the best medium of redress is the press of the colony, for it at least reflects the opinion of the people, who seldom err on questions of national importance.