BASIS OP UNITY RADICALLY ESTIMATED.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 557, 9 April 1913, Page 3

BASIS OP UNITY RADICALLY ESTIMATED.

By R. S. Ross. In regard to the Basis of Unity now before the workers of New Zealand, in the first place it seems to me remarkable that it was almost unanimously adopted by a representative conference of trade unionists; and more remarkable still that it we(s quite unanimously adopted by delegates representing alike the Socialist Party and the United Labour Party. Here we had gathering made up of unions affiliated with the Federaton of Labour and the United Labour Party and of a number of unattached to either organisation; and next as an addition, representatives on the political side of the U.L.P. and the S.P. —yet, despite this, under ordinary circumstances, extraordinary amalgam a greater unanimity was dieplayedthan is usually the case in the separate conferences. Truly, a marvellous achievement and one deserving some examination !

What cause produced this unique effect? I think it can be traced to the theory or law termed by Marxians the Materialist Conception of His tory. It was th° common realisation of a common economic danger—working of economic determinism — that flung these bodies together in very instinct of self-preservation and mutual protection, and thus provided a spectacle of unity almost without a parallel in this country. Unity of machinery and of mentality was forced by unity of interests. Trade unionists had slowly been awakening to the menace of organised and legalised blacklegging, and on a sudden the oppotunity brought this slow and steady growth to fruition. Events had once again moved faster than minds but the minds had been impelled to harmonise with the events—though naturally and necessarily tbe mental ripening had also been considerably quickened by the work of education and organisation so valiantly performed for some years by propagandists of revolutionary workingclass principles under the respective banner 3 of Socialism and Industrial Unionism. I wish to state very cilearly and very emphatically that 1 am for the Basis of Unity because I am a Socialist and an Industrial Unionist. To me it is a big thing, a progressive thing and a remarkably stimulating thing to find such generous recognition of the principles of Socialism and Industrial Unionism as the Basis gives. Truly, we may hopefully claim that the very stars in their courses are helping in the quick attainment of the Social Revolution, that social state which will give the worker the full product of his labour. To me it iB not so much a matter of building an organisation as that we should build it for a definite revolutionary aim. The ending of the oppression and exploitation of the working class is more to me than the making of a party. But the party is nevertheless an indispensable factor in the aim, ami given a party clearly and avowedly for the abolition of capitalism it would be a crime not to enthusiastically aid it. And as regards those wishing the coming of a Better Day and yet in antagonism to this Basis of Unitfy,! solemnly urge them to beware lest their sin will find them cut.

Under this Basis—and I support it as it stands —it will be possible and practicable for the first time in history and for the first time in any country to establish One Big Union. Here is a magnificent chance to put the theory to the test, and to ma it 'u a great and grand thing that in New Zealand we can build this One Big Union and thus carry on the country's splendid heritage of social experimentation. Such an idea and such a possibility is worth conceding sll the blemishes the scheme may contain. On the political side, here is a chance to gain one solid Socialist political party undeniably in accord with the principles, policy and sentiment of the international workingclaßS movement. And both industrially and politically there is a guarantee that we shall not stop short at efficient national organisation, but shall link up internationally the world our country, mankind our brethren, to do good our religion. I want for every son and daughter of God by the mere fact and right of birth a sufficiency of food, shelter, clothing, and the best that life can give in leisure, treasure and pleasure —and upon this Basis of Unity and in the spiiit it interprets I believe it is to be gained hore and now. Why should social justice, equality, liberty and fraternity be for posterity alone? Is not the best as much ou? inalienable right as the right of those who will come after üb? Fears and dangers in the amalgamation and unification there are of a certainty, and this I grant readily; but there are dangers and there are fears in all activity; and equipment and accomplishment come of grappling with them!

As for the outcry- in some quarters against the recognition of Arbitration, it is auraly forgotten that the greater recognition oi the Right to Strike and of the place of the Strike ia a victory for revolutionary exposition little short of miraculous, and that no arbitration can finally stand unless compulsory. Given an acceptance of the strike principle by logical process arbitration h cHimai-'i? overthrown. Under ihis Basis I think arbitration is doomed, and I can only regard the tight about its apparent retention as fighting around a shadow