GRAZE FOR LEGISLATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2316, 8 October 1908, Page 2

GRAZE FOR LEGISLATION.

THE NEED FOR A GREAT LEADER. A CHRISTCHURCH SPEECH. [Press Association:] •

WELLINGTON, Oct. 7. In the course of a paper on “The Craze for Legislation and Some of Its Aims,” read before the New Zealand Employers Association Conference to-day, Mr. H. Broadhead, secretary of the Canterbury Employers’ Association, referred to what he described as “a remarkable sign of the tinies that in most of the young countries of the world persistent attempts were being made to have all 6orts of social problems dealt with by means of legislai "on.” He referred more particularly to the labor legislation of Now Zealand, and held that the craze lor legislation, like other crazes, would run its course. “It is a matter of notoriety,” Mr. Broadhead continued, “that a gross abuse lias been made of the Now Zealand Arbitration Act, almost since ever it: came into force, by the manner in - which disputes have been created by the workers’ unions. While it lias seemed to many that the machinery provided in the "Act was partly responsible for this, it has been held by some that the Arbitration Court ha® exceeded its jurisdiction in hearing many purely fictitious disputes.” Mr. Broadhead dealt with the union label which was in use in America as “an engine of boycott.” “In Chicago-, we are Told,” he added, “the union label system is carried to an extreme. Members of the unions are recommended to buy only union goods, under pain of heavy penalties. Bargain shops may not be patronised unless the walking delegate is satisfied that everything sold comes from unionised factories.” Members dealing with a merchant who does not use the label are heavily fined. Public attention is called to the boycott by a sandwichman placed in front of the tabooed shop, and often assisted by a kerbstone orator. Mr. Broadhead dealt at considerable lengths with the legislative power that labor has in Australia, and referred to many of the more recent decisions of the Courts in the Commonwealth. “Labor,” he said, “makes no disguise of i(s intention to exploit capita], and without any regard to the welfare of the community, and haying the votes it employs what it believes to- be the qmokes;- and surest measure of effecting that purpose. What was happening in Australia deeply concerned New Zealand. The danger came through Parliament there, and of late years there have certainly, been, measures of a most objectionable type enacted by the New Zealand Parliament, but if the socialistic element became stronger in the House than it was at present, they would have legislation as menacing to the welfare of the people as had ever been brought forward in Australia. The fight against socialism was really only beginning, and if the whole community would wake up before it was too late and its rights of oitzenship. the land might be saved from untold trouble.” Wliat the speaker feared was that there was among many people too much apathy. Concluding, Mr. Broadhead said, “What I think democratic New Zealand wants to-day is a man. I believe that nearly all the great reforms which have left a permanent, blessing upon mankind have been chiefly brought about- through the influence of a few great men. I feel certain that what the people of this country require is a man with a great personality, a man above party plane or power, a man whose sole ambition is to save his country arid who has the genius to lead the people. The people had been long accustomed to have it dinned .into their ears that what they required was plenty of legislation. ' What they really needed was to he told that they could do much better for themselves without iegislaton. In these days, the legislative machinery was run to death, and the result was a cry for more of itIt certainly did not produce happiness and contentment among the people.”