Social Revolution: Is it Near ?

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 36, 10 November 1911, Page 17

Social Revolution: Is it Near ?

It IVSoves !

By -JOHN BO

Several scribes have of late dealt with the Socialist censxis, but few more deftly than "Dogmatist." Nought but they/eight of pure metal he gives, all the rest is mullock. But may not the assay be a bit too high? Does not a meed of dross blend with the ore? It's a fact that the Socialist vote is not all retorted gold. Some may vote Avith you from lack of sound sense. Their first Avord of speech gives proof of it. They fear that they A'dte for. In things-as-they-are these see all that's dark and hate it, yet fear the daAvn. They may help to spread the light, yet dread the rise of day, and doubt if such a day will ever come (to themselves), but slowly evolve from the ages. You must press home to the minds of such that past Avays no longer serve as motiA-e poAver to propel the social world. The old is dead.

Preach of the New Force. We have found a rich magnetic lode more plentiful than iron, more durable than gold, more powerful than radium —'tis Labour Unity. This force must rule in -the day to come. Labour is one, all else makes for severance. Nationality, race, -creed, laws, customs, commerce, property —all these make for dissensions, divisions, feuds. Labour alone unites. 'Tis fitting, then, that the one thing that binds all shall govern all. Labour being the only cohesive force in society, the fruits of Labour, therefore, arc an inseparable part of the social body, aiid cannot be alienated. It follows that the- 'science, genius, industry of the past are the heritage of the present. - The birthright of the race. Fifty years ago this was a dream, to-day it is a conviction. This is The New Ethic.

It calls aloud for change. Demands that science shall aid in the construction of an orderly social cosmos. What Aye see to-day cannot be called order. Look where you will there Is seen no evidence of intelligent guidance .in social affairs. A hideous heap of ruins overrun with creeping things fouling one another. lb has grown up like

fit Moves 11

ND, Brisbane

weeds in the dank fields of chance, and, gives scant proof of good tilth. What there is of design is of evil design, all the rest is the. outcome of drift. Drift versus Direction. The intellectual forces being applied to bring the New Order* Avill ensure that drift shall be -superseded by direction; blind unreason be succeeded by, brainy thought, lopsided greed by balanced justice. This is Revolution. It is mcA r itable: even those Avho prefer the present state foresee its doom, and content themselves with saying: "It won't come in our time." In this, hoAV like they are to many aa'lio claim to be Socialists! On this level the Socialist fights side by side with the enemy. They serv.e the same cause — one from fear, the other unfaith. We scarce know whioh is which. If it is any comfort to the "go-sloAv" Socialist he may be sure of a majority to support his _ views for some time to come,! for on his side are all the foes of pro-' gress. Who Shall Lead? But whether the change be soon or late depends on who leads. Keep the helm from the hands of believers in drift. Trust as leaders only those who hold that the sloth of the past is no index to the speed of the future. A century of preparation bears fruit in a day. Who Shall Stop It? The opponents of revolution can never prevent it. Only one thing in the world to-day can keep it back. That one thing is the timid Socialist, and he not for long. Is it near? Well, let mc ask. Does it grow? A few thousands may work and wait long years Avhile their numbers grow and grow and groAV until more than half the.world think as one man on the subject. When this comes to pass will they continue to ; wait think you. Not much, my son. What fools they'd <&*? ■/..'Courage, boys, courage.