The Editorial "I"

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 33, 20 October 1911, Page 5

The Editorial "I"

I am on tour, lecturing and learning. I came to New Zealand considerably interested primarily in its working-; class movement, but secondarily in its native-barn and its nationalism. I was anxious to note the action of the, movement upon the nationalism, and vice versa. Was the movement as well-trained as the Labor movement of Australia—was the nationalism aa j distinctive as the nationalism of Australia? I cannot yet answer the query. I want to ascertain if the movement is temperamentally ready, for working-class philosophy and j science in rulership and ownership; j if the nationalism is sufficiently old and progressive to be of tfhe soil and for the soil. I have speculated since J landing in New Zealand as to whether ■ the New Zealander —the native-born white New Zealander —was yet a typo different and definite; and wherein, if he was so; and how it would affect and influence industrialisation and Socialism. And so I looked around at the Bluff, and at Dunedin and Christchurch —and then at the West Coast and in Wellington—and the New Zealander seems to have eluded mc, for within the limit of my work and interests the born New Zealander has appeared an unknown quantity and quality. So I was glad of the opportunity to come north, and here in Auckland I have got my most valuable impresioms so far of movement and of nationalism. As regards the former, the intellectual atmosphere is strong and stimulating; and the satisfactory feature in respect to the latter is to note the nationalism blending with the movement. This is most potent hope and phenomenon. Auckland Industrial Unionism and Social-; ism" a.re- capturing the native-born, to some extent, at least—and to near-en-ough extent as to answer vexed questions and wondering inquiries. At J time of writing I am on the eve of a run to Waihi, Karaaigaliak© and Himtly j and then returning to Wellington. I shall attempt to continue this line of thought and give shape to the impressions of a hurried but welcome acquaintance with the places and pejple of the North. It has been, exceediiigly encouraging to see the admiration for our paper and the ptishing of our paper. All hail to it ! THE EYE.