Second Edition Labour's Coming of Age

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 March 1914, Page 3

Second Edition Labour's Coming of Age

Under the a\ispices of the Lev branch of the Social Democrat Party, Mrs Donaldson spoke the Oddfellows' Hall last evenii on "Labour's Coming of Age The hall was well filled, a lar« number of women being present Mrs J. Robertson occupied tl chair, and in a few words intr duced the speaker. Mrs Donaldson said that tl Labour movement had pass* through all the phases to whic such movements were subject. Tl chief fact operating in bringin a*l;out Labour's coming of age w; that the worker was realising tlu he was producing far more tha he received. Industrially an politically the present position c Labour in this country was bette than it had ever been before, an< tho workers were beginning to se that political action was becoming more pressing every day. A times certain politicians cam round and made promises whiel served their own interests, and no those of the people. Sometime the people got what seemed to l> good, but were deceived. Thj time had come when the worker must have a party of thir own—: party that understood the need of men and women—a party form ed of those whose sympathies were really with the workers. Tin Social Democratic Party stood foj the needs of the worker need* which could easily be obtained b\ their united efforts. The worker.' were praised by all parties in Parliament, but out of flip tl'iT i;:u- ---• ties there were two—the Reform Party and the Liberals- that acted as one wherever the workers' interests were concerned. With a party of their own the workers could keep a check on their representatives by means of the recall, provision for which was made by the S.D.P. This would also serve to encourage the people to take a keen interest in the work. Principles—not men—would be looked to in the future, and men sent to ''■Parliament would simply have to carry out the workers' desires. Though not as bad as other countries. New Zeahind had a vast amount of poverty, and some people were in such dire need that they required assistance from Charitable Aid Boards. Many hod objected to the recent strike, but they must seek the cause of strikes, and understand that they could not be abolished by rhe methods pursued here. There was a growing feeling of disconten' with the present social system ano it must be changed. Competition was so keen that small traders were driven out of business ' ~ into the great combines and rings that at present controlled a great amount of the necessaries of life. The workers were becomjing united -throughout the world and were reaching out for their own- not through revolution —but by evolution. As long as the workers drifted with the tide their plot would get worse. In some industries at least the hours of labour were longer tlinn they were 50 years ago. With so much machinery this should not bo.. When the worker asked for something nearer the full vajue of his labour, the elder son-

landlords, etc., — gave the husks and called him an agitator. They must not be deterred by this, but must stand up for the whole human raco. . The gospel of Social Democracy was the doctrine- of justice to all. Social democracy demanded a just recompense and should give a just return; ' else they 'would become parasites. - The Social Democratic Party was the party to help the worker; and by worker was meant, not onjythe manual labourer, but professional men whr lived bv mental work. If anyone in the community suffered, then the whole lot suffered,, There was child slavery in the dairy industry in various parts of the country, and women should join the movement so that the child of file future would have" a better chance than at presnt. For the sakt of the children the present state of affairs should be altered. in other countries industrialism would arrive in New Zealand and the people should take steps to prevent the evils that accompany it elsewhere from obtaining here. This, she assured them, only cou,ld be done by securing a united Labour representation, an adjustment of the land laws ami of the conditions cip'ifnl ..nd labour. Women >:n>uM ■,•!; an active part in the nio\rnieut, there was no hope for a u.ilion if the women remained in the background. If a woman's influence was necessary in home life it was ajf-o necessary in the life of the eityand the life of the nation. National life was not eomplet" without the influence of woman. On the motion of Mr W. ('. Nation, seconded by Mr J. Robertson, M.P., "a hearty vote ol thanks was passed to Nrs Donaldson for her interesting mid instructive address."