The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-17
CANADIAN INDUSTRY
NOT FOE OF UNIONS
Association Of Manufacturers
Opposes Only Sympathetic
Strike Movements.
TARIFF STILL AN ISSUE
Need for Greater Production
Is Urged at Convention
in Toronto.
TARIFF STILL AN ISSUE
SpeeioI DespatcA 70 THr srx.

special Despdtch TO THE SuN
TORONTO. June 1.-THE Dominion's
captains OF industry. as represented by
the Canadian Manufacturers Association.
have been holding their annual conven-
ton in Toronto. and observing people
have been interested In the gathering OF
these men at what must be REGARDED a
critical time for the country in general
and for them in particular.
For many years the c. NJ. A. has
stood apart as great organisation Of
capitalists. whose point of view has
from time to time met serious criticism
nom other elements of the people. The
association has grown from small be-
gnninSs into body OF great power and
wealth. and. as it was organized for n
distinct purpose Of class advancement. it
naturally excited resentment from other
people hose toes might be trodden upon
In other words, its efficiency as an or
ganzation was bound to secure adyan-
tages at the expense Of others
For many years the aggressive ele-
ment OF high tariff advocates predomi-
mated in the organization. at least so far
as It's voice could be heard. and 1t. in
turn. had the effect Of to some extent,
solidifying consumers. especially the
farming class, against the association.
Now and again q voice was heard from
within in protest against the apparently
selfish policies promoted but II was not
until this year that what the ordinary
man in the crowd could recognize as
concilistory tone was manifested.
Not Opposed to Unions.
Meeting at time when general strikes
existed in several Western cities and
when the country was scared by indus
trial unrest at many points, the manu-
facturers might well pause to consider
their relation to the country as a whole
Fortunately, their spokesman in the
chair, President W. J. Bulman of Win
nipeg. is man of broad outlook and
nothing that he said in his opening adj
dress could offend the susceptibilities of
an anxious people. Coming from a city
where men like himself in hundreds had
rallied 10 keep the necessities of life
moving. and In reach of innocent VIC
Tins of the general strike. he naturally
had views of moderation which were
free from bitterness on the vexed in
dustrial Issues of the day. What he
said on labor unions may well be read
and pondered by every one interested
In economic development anywhere at
the present time.
I'VE are not opposed to labor unions"
he said. we are not opposed to col
iect!ve bargaining. We are opposed TO
the One Big Union. and to sympathetic
strikes in public utilities. Dur
ing four and half years the energies
OF the civilized world have been devoted
I" destruction. Food and all kinds of
Material have been wasted In stupendous
Quantities. Production has been re-
strieted to diversion Of effort. The re-
suit Is world scarcity. Articles are
dear now because they are scarce, and
they will be dear until they become
plentiful again. Therefore our
only salvation Is not In doing less work
but in doing more work. The war has
Increased our debt. We have fewer
hands 10 do the work that is necessary
to provide for our wants and to pay
our debts
Not Keeping Men Down.
Mr. Bulnan declared that the direc-
tors of Canadian industries are not try
ing TO keep men down: they are try
ing TO Mt them to assume the RESPONSE
olhties OF management"
Il think the executive council, and
this annual meeting" was his conclu-
non firmly believe that all Industrial
employees and all other wage earners
are entitled TO and should have as short
hours and as high wages as the rights
OF all other citizens and the cempeti-
ton OF other nations permit them to
enjoy"
II Is fortunate that the C. NJ. A. had
voice as moderate as this. The dec
laration Of President Bulman has paved
'he way for what It Is believed may yet
happen before the leaves faIl-nameIy,
round table conference for the DOM
inion, in which labor and capital shall
meet and discuss the whole situation
This would be fitting climax and
most gratifying solution OF a difficuity
which cannot be solved by mutual dis
trust and antagonism.
Similarly the views OF the associa-
ton on the tariff did not reflect the ex-
IRENE Of former years. An expression
used by Edward Quincy. a prominent
Toronto manufacturer years ago. that
no favored a tariff "as high as Haman's
gaIlows," has come down through the
Years as IMPLYING the spirit OF the
manufacturers association. That spirit
'' less evident now. and the report of
the tariff committee was q compare
lively moderate document. Even the
principle OF preferential tariff within the
empire was favored.
Grain Growers Aggressive.
The aggresslveness OF the grain grow
erS has somewhat put the manufacturers
on the defensive, and part of the COM
mttee's report was an endeayor TO prove
that the demands OF the grain growers
would result in widespread depression.
y was contended that the Westerners'
demand would ultimately bring free
trade with the United States, and that
IN that case Canada's fiscal policy
would he determined in Washington in
stead OF in Ottawa.
Here the committee reiterated argu-
m'nis made familiar by tho tight against
reciprocity In 1911, and repeated the
familiar declaration In favor of solidar-
Ivy under the British nag, Complaint
was made against the Governments
policy OF retaining tractors on the free
list but this was about the only criti- |
e'sm made OF present tariff conditions. |
Farmers answer that the manufactur-
Much IN expected from the inquiry |
70 be instituted next fall throughout the
Dominion prior to the revision OF the |
tariff This should smooth out inequali- |
Ties, and, II the Governments spirit Is
rair' ought to so far to put the matter on |
scientific basis and deter agitation for |
some time. Manufacturing has made |
such strides In the Dominion during the |
war that all the facts must be made |
SHOWN and the public familiariIed with
me situation by free discussion.
The principle Of protection was intro
duce2 by the Conservative Government ,
IN 1878, and has heen retained Will,