THE RIGHT TO WORK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2562, 24 July 1909, Page 2

THE RIGHT TO WORK.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l saw by a late paper that the Socialists are discusssing the question of introducing a. Right to Work Bill when Parliament meets. This opens up a very big subject and one which probably lias never 'been fully considered by the Socialist party. l If a man is given the right to call on the State to provide him with work in time of need, ho will have to admit the right of the State to call upon him to do a fair share of work at all times. The State will also claim the, right to make him contribute a certain sum weekly to an old age pension fund, so that by the time ho has readied an age when he can no longer earn a fair day’s wage, ho will be entitled to a fixed pension, free from all restrictions. The present sysytem of old age pensions is no encouragement to thrift,' for thrift is penalised by a reduction of pension, and until it is made a universal contributing system, it will always be so. Again, if the worker is assured of steadv employment at all times lie should be called upon to make due provision for the maintenance of liis family, instead of, as in the case of some now, wasting his weekly earnings and leaving his family to be kept from want by the Charitable Aid Board, which, is only another name for the ratepayers, for it is they who have to pay the piper. If the Socialists think that they aro going to get the principle of the right to work recognised by the country without some such conditions being attached they are making a great mistake. They will have to show that they are willing to give as well as take, before they get the country to grant what they - are asking for. Up till now they have only shown the taking capacity.—l am, etc., A VrpRKER.