Shall We Take Immediate Political Action?

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 19, 14 July 1911, Page 12

Shall We Take Immediate Political Action?

TIMELY DEBATE AT RUNANGA. J. L. Rollett in sending the following mentions that the Socialist Party holds debates every Sunday morning, while every Thursday evening a chapter is read out of Mills' "Strtfggle for Existence." He hopes the insertion of the following will encourage debates all round, and wo hope so, too. For the affirmative — Comrade Price said he was of the opinion that if a Labour party, however small, cotdd be elected to Parliament, such party to be composed of men selected from amongst themselves, that they would be a potent instrument to bring about needy social and political reforms. One had only to take a retrospective view of the past fifty years to see how life had been made more tolerable for millions of our fellow creatures; he had not the time at his disposal to ennumerate the many beneficial democratic social reforms and so he would recommend his comrades to read Justin McCarthy's "History of Our Own Times." He had nothing to say against Industrial Unionism, but while that movement was being perfected and whilst the class conscious feeling was permeating the minds of the workers he could see no reason why the Socialist Party should not carry on an independent campaign on the political field. Comrade Mclnerney affirmed that immediate political action was necessary in the interests of the workers. This country was looked upon by many as the paradise of the worker, but those who experienced it thought otherwise. He claimed that an election campaign would educate the workers who otherwise would not be reached. There were thousands of men in the bush who did not understand unionism, let alone Industrial Unionism and Socialism. Political action in Australia was the means of educating and making advanced unionists. He would not be disconcerted if they never gained a seat this election. The educational work would more than recompense the expense. If men were elected, see the vast amount of organising work they oould do during the recess f Comrade Booth claimed that a Labour Party if elected would be a great benefit; firstly, by being represented by men who understood industry, say mining for instance; he could explain all protests being a man of practical experience, and secondly he could vehemently protest against all coercive measures, such as compulsory military training, etc. * For the negative— Comrade Webb said he was an Industrial Unionist. Politicians were as a rule the reflection of the intelligence of the people. What the people wanted was a Government of industry. The Governments were in the interests of capitalism. The Socialists were to work in uniting industry in our mines, workshops, factories, and fields; when our organisation was perfected we could say : "Here Mr Capitalist we are going to control all these machines in the interests of ourselves." What we wanted 'waa the abolition of our present political Government. In the future our Parliaments will be one of industry, not a purely political machine dealing with industries of which they knew nothing. Our Industrial Union wanted more attention —we must persevere with that and not attempt anything that will sidetrack the people. Comrade O'Rourke claimed that political action at this stage was premature. We were busy now with our organising work to try and federate the unions of New Zealand. If we were not sufficiently organised industrially, what was there in taking political action ? By taking political action we were taking the people's interest off Industrial Unionism and looking entirely to political action for their emancipation. Comrade Knight could not see how political action was going to benefit the worker. He believed in Industrial Unionism. When we were not united industrially how could political action benefit? *•-,,- After debate /a general discussion took place, the majority declaring in favour of political action.