ORGANISATION OF INDUSTRY. 517 



and prices, are carried to a successful result, the same must 

 induce resistance. There is already conflict between employers 

 and tlie unions of labour, which shows no sig'n of temina- 

 tion. The organisation of industry which I propose, whilst 

 putting an end to the results of unrestricted competition on 

 the one hand, and the tyranny either of combinations of 

 capital or labour on the other, would tend to harmonise 

 conflicting interests, and would leave free the individualism 

 which now exists, I do not presume to present a perfect 

 system, but one only for development. Any objections wdiich 

 may be urged against it should be weighed against the 

 deficiencies of present conditions. There is too much tendency 

 in a new cou)itry like Australia to follow old methods of 

 procedure, notwithstanding that they are inefficient, or a 

 partial failure to secure the ends in view. 



I have found it difficult to deal within the limits of a paper 

 for our meeting with a subject so comprehensive as that 

 which I have undertaken ; and any views which I have 

 stated, if meeting with approval, must be regarded as 

 embodying merely the statement of thought and problem for 

 amplification. 



A recapitulation may assist discussion. 



I commence with the problem of poverty in the large 

 centres of civilisation and the means which are there found 

 vt^anting to provide large numbers with employment, or to 

 supply the wants which civilisation renders more and more 

 necessities of life ; the tendency towards socialistic thought, 

 and the urgent need for action of some kind to meet present 

 deficiencies. 



I have raised the question w'hether such deficiencies may 

 not be due to the failure of economic science to indicate 

 definitely the means which shall control present elements of 

 conflict. 



For such purpose I have endeavoured to trace the opera- 

 tion of the industrial system, and submit that there are 

 indicatioES of a law or result establishing that the produc- 

 tion of a country, which is disposed of, in addition to the 

 incomes received by those employed in the producing 

 industries and expended in the country, gives approximately 

 corresponding incomes to all other classes, so that such pro- 

 duction of every kind must be of benefit to all. 



I state the general conclusion as to this result — the 

 necessity and the obvious means of increasing production to 

 the fullest extent so as to give increased incomes for larger 



