The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1909-12-04
DIFFERENT IN NEW ZEALAND.


We in America are inclined to swell
up and grow chesty when We think
about our wonderful Industrial devel-
opment. We've been growing so fast
that we haven't takea the time to
conserve our energies, and the result
is that we are killing men and women
after dollars. The health and comfort
of the workers are about the last
things considered by the average en-
ployer. and were it not for the unions
the death rate would be far larger
than it is.
Isn't it about time We called halt
and take the time to consider human
ity a while? Isn't it about time we
gave a little more attention to the
worker and little less attention to
the product of his toll? 1t is humili-
ating to confess it, but this great re-
public can learn a whole lot from
New Zealond, once a penal colony of
Great Britain's, but today one of the
most advanced communities in~ the
world.
In distant New Zealand, not many
months ago, some capitalists estab-
lished a match factory. and employed
women and girls. 1t was a new indus
try for that country. The wages were
low, and finally the workers asked for
an increase. It was refused. They
asked again and again. declaring
permit them to live decently. But
every demand was met by refusal.
Finally the women resorted to differ
ent tactics. They did not strike-for
strikes are unknown in New Zealand.
They have a substitute for the strike.
It is called Court of Arbitration
and Cancellation" and to this court
the women took their grievances. The
employers replied that the industry
was new, and that until it was secure
ly established it would be unjust to
ask them to pay higher wages.
The Judge ordered an inquiry-not
into the condition of the match indus
try. but into the condition under
which the workers were forced to toll
and live. They think more of men
and women than they do of dollars in
New Zealand. They may or may not
be "socialistic,' but whatever else it
may be it is common justice and hui
mainly. And after the court had fully
Investigated the facts the match man.
ufacturers were ordered to appear in
court and hear the award. This is
what the judge told them:
ait Is Impossible for these girls to
live decentiy or heaIthfulIy on the
wages you are now paying. It is Of
the utmost importance that they
should have wholesome and heaIthful
conditions Of life. The souls and
bodies Of the young women Of New
Zealand are Of more Importance than
your profits, and II you can not pay
living wages II will be better for the
community for you to close your fac
tory. IT WOULD BE BETTER TO
SEND THE WHOLE MATCH INDUS
TRY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE
OCEAN, AND GO BACK TO FLINTs
AND FIREsrIcks, THAN TO DRIVE
YOUNG GIRLS INTO THE GUTTER.
Ny award is that you pay what they
ask"
That's the way they look after the
workers in New Zealand. In this
Christian and enlightened republic OF
ours We give the first consideration
to profits, and consider the welfare OF
the worker last Of all. We coddle the
manufacturer and disregard the EN-
ployes in the factory. We protect
capital and let labor shift for itself
We send millions abroad to convert
the heather, and never give thought
to the thousands of women who are
forced to sell their souls for bread be
cause our beastly Industrial system
is built wrong end foremost.
Think 1t over from every viewpoint
and then ask yourself If the New Zea
land way is not the most humane, tn,
most Christian-and after all tn,
most profitable