Let Us Speak Plain

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 45, 19 January 1912, Page 10

Let Us Speak Plain

We must fight all we know how to Wp the Labor movement aggressively radical. "We must not allow the painful striving of tho working-class for justice to bo contaminated by opportunism and compromise. 'We must not overlook the primary object of the workers' revolt: the institution of a now social and economic system under which tho workers shall own and use the wealth they produce.

Let us speak plain. want the world. ~\\'q want Liberty, Equality, Fraternity—knowing that these great words represent vital and accomplishable things. Liberty of thought, action and life to tho fullest; Equality of opportunity and of products; Fraternity of social and political government. All of those are ours by Eight, and if denied as such can be ours by Might.

TJie Labor movement, is more than platforma and prestige—more, infinitely inorOj than the aggrandisement of individuals or the advancement of organisations. It i.i the demand of the toilers for the enjoyment and ownership of tho best that life can give. We shall do well in those days oi truckling lor political supremacy, of trimming to catch votes, of cowardly faint-hearted-liesfi in respect to the avowed and militant propagation of Socialist principles

—ivu shall do well to proclaim fearlessIv from the Lousi-tops that wo seek a revolution of ideas in order to effect au economic revolution by which if one shall not work neither shall ho eat. Let us plain.

S r nles3 the workers' party be something fundamentally different from •"'i-lier parties of what avail shall it be? '! ! '.o Labor auwemettt was called into '"•ing as the outcome of Discontent, ■■'!:<! must continue tmsatisfied in order

'■" f'llfil its purpoee. It is a menace to tlif Landlord and t-lio MoneyJord— a danger to all who justify things as tlioy :ire: unemployment, uncertainty, neglect, hardupness, wretchedness. What v.-o noed, therefore, ia the Labor movement is that rottou things ehall be fidied rotten, and that the shame and lie sin of modern conditions oi 1 expioitation shall bo sot forth in all their

'lidwis humiliation and honor, and a dwji-ront *f tvUMioaf.no.is aud courage be

manifested in changing .from the Old Order to tho New. God, give us fighters. 'The distinguishing features of work-ing-class activity should all the time bo —aggressiveness and not timidity, backbone and not servility, determination and not vacillation, boldness and not craven weakness. We achieve nothing in, tho long run by pandering, or apologising, or knuckling down; or by being "diplomatic" or "tactful) ,, or weak-kneed or amiably deferential; or by preferring tradition to truth or prejudice to principle, or expediency to basieaiess. Let us think and act. Let us strike at the root of wrong. Let us be downright, thorough, vigilant, vigorous, courageous. Let us do and dare. It is with an unrighteous system as with nettles: Gently, gently touch a nettle, And it stings you for your pains ; Grasp it like a man of mettle, And it soft as silk remains.

Out with hypocrisy! Out with timidity I Out with falsehood! We have no right nor no cause to hide from view the great goal of Emancipation wo are seeking. And winning, spite of all powers and principalities of Profit.

Let us speak plain. Tell the truth about the aspirations and aims of the disinherited and denied peoples. The truth shall make men free. Wage war against cursed and cruel robbery. Fight I Be always on the offensive. Be iconoclastic, brave. The workers have nothing to fear but themselves —nothing to lose but their chains. They have life and happiness, peace and plenty, good food, and clothes and health ar.d dwellings to gain for their wives and daughters, husbands and sons. Let the workera, then, insist on plain-speaking. Let them cry. To hell with duplicity, depravity and diplomacy! Let them speak plain! He who dares, triumphs.