THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF EMPLOYERS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:1
you give me leave to combat your first objection to the National Federation of Employers? You say, "They cannot carry out their design," and if that is true, we need not speculate on the possible results of their success. And you go on to say that their " putposes clearly are to fight strikes and to influence legislation."
Taking, first, the second of these objects, you assume that the Federation seeks to secure the election to Parliament of representa- tives of its own, or of its members. Careful perusal of its own "state- ment as to formation and objects" will show you that this is not the case, and so far as I know, the founders of the Federation never thought of this as one of their objects. The Press of this country would not disown a wish to "influence legislation," but I never heard it blamed for having such an object, whose accomplishment it seems to seek by no such means as you attribute to the plan of the Federation. Our plan for acquiring influence on Parliament (rather than in Parliament), and on the electors, may be understood by reference to the published statement, and is illustrated by the action of the Association of Factory Occupiers on Mr. Mundella's Nine Hours' Bill.
Nor is there better ground for supposing that it is an object of the Federation to "put down strikes." This might be seen on read- ing the rule which limits its action to matters affecting the Fede- rated Trades as a whole, but the published statement also explains that we do not prepo,e ‘• to iuterfere with questions affecting local trade dis putes," nor " to emulate the Trades' Unions in expenditure." The Trades' Unions are specially federated with a view to influence legislation, and it is to meet this action on their part that the need for a Federation of Employers has been felt.
Whether we can or cannot influence legislation, and instruct public opinion, time must show ; but I am sure the Spectator would not willingly misstate the means, proposed for these ends, and I believe you also would desire that intelligence and the independence of Non-unionist workmen should not be swamped by numbers and by the organisation of Trades' Unions.—I am, Sir, &c., Ax EMPLOYER.
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