Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY. JUNE 4th, 1918. THE NEW ERA.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY. JUNE 4th, 1918. THE NEW ERA.

Those of our renders who have followed closely the series of articles contributed by X which have , lately appeared in these columns will hav e noticed that lie is forecasting the dawn of a new democratic era. As his view point is that of the practical business man, with experience both as employer and employee, and as he ) being closely identified with large manufacturing and commercial interests, is closely in touch with problems affecting capital and labour, his opinions will carry more weight than were .they those of the visionary or dreamer. But, alter all, it is not a matter of opinion ,but- of actual fact, tha changes - are taking place. Every day «•« get further evidence that the interests of all sections of democratic communities are being iiiado subservient to the interests of the people as a. whole. The interests of capital and labour were supposed to bo paramount, and t-lio settling of the conflict of these interests, the one problem of the ago. We have seen, however, that when a greater question arose and the issue became one between right and wrong—-between civilisation . and barbarism—that these differences hecame overshadowed, while at the same

time a possible future solution presented : itself. Wo have learned how labour—the responsible section of it—has responded to the call of the war and has allowed some of its most (dierished privileges to lapse for a time until the great duty of winning the war for humanity has been performed. Wo have seen how, when the differences between capita) and labour. appeared irreconcilable, th t > Government has stepped in, and taken over the control of industries. Just recently, we learnt > from tho cables that the Governor of New York, has issued a proclamation (affecting men between tho ages of 21 and 31), stating that idlers, whether rich or poor, will ho forced to undertake war work after June 1, and possession of iDc.ome will not he accepted as an excuse. There is also another vitally important announcement that the. American Government has made all railway presidents Fedornl Officials and fully responsible to the Government. As the railways of America were the very backbone of tho gigantic capitalist Trust system, it would have boon thought that the Government would not have dared to interfere with them. But it would seem that now America has awakened to the true aeflso of Her duty to mankind ifi-

this great war. she intends that neither capitalist insterosts not- labour troubles shajl paralyse her efforts. This surely means the dawn of a new era for the democracies of the world.