Political Prattle

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 69, 5 July 1912, Page 6

Political Prattle

Politics in New Zealand at the present time is. in ja state of turmoil. Hoih parties recogniso that the success or failure of either depends upon exceedingly capablo finessing. Making due allowance for newspaper misrepresentation and individual soreness, it looks as though the elan of Mackenzie should overcome Massey land his supporters.

One factor which tends to make the Liberal Party more assured of its position is the confidence with which it could appeal to tho country in the event of a dissolution. It would be foil) to close one's eyes to the fact that the Liberal Party stands in higher favor than at the last election. Not because Liberalism has done, or purposes to do, anything of a startling nature, but because the groat majority of people in this country will not stand for Conservatism. The nearness of Massey and his henchmen to the seats of power is not enthusiastically regarded by the everyday elector.

It is true, too, to say that the great majority of the politicians of to-day are swayed more by the public press than was the case some 15 years ago. The press of late haa been characteristically bitter against any form of organised Labor with an atom of fighting spirit in its make-up. It would bind and gag the advanced section of the work-ing-class, and its whole tonor during the past few months has been in the direction of mpulding public opinion in such a way thttt tho unthinking people will applaud tiie sight of Labor legironod. A thrilling prospect truly!

That nn attempt will shortly lie made in Parliament to feloiiise the strike is apparent, to anyone who cares to study tho agitation of the times. The big employers, the parasitical section of the middle-class and the office-seeking workers would all unite and support such a proposal. Of course, the employers would not agree to tJic jailing of employers for closing down their works. Such a suggestion would be entirely outrageous and against every canon of justice!

The Labor group, so-called, will not play an extraordinary part in the proceedings. It is only because it happens to be holding the "balance of power" thut its presence will be felt to any extent. -Despite its boasted independence, it bids fair to become a tail to the Liberal Party.

The Massoy Party, for some reason or another, has been very silent on the United Labor Party. There has been

bership : (h) enter into any written agreement with employers.

When an industrial dispute takes place a copy of the rules of the union should be obtained, and, in the event of such rules containing either of the foregoing provisions of a similar character, tho Arbitration Court should he asked not to grant preference unless such provisions are expunged.

(To be continued.)

scarcely a criticism in the columns ,of its press. Roth the Masscy press and that of tho Mackonzioites, however, have been notoriously unanimous in condemnation of the Fcdorationists and Socialists. It looks as though both parties were ogling for co-operation from the L.L.P. quarters, and recognising the hopelessness of seeiing to co-operate with the N.Z.F.L. or S.P., seeks to destroy them outright. There has never been a party brought into existence purporting to represent the working-class that has met with such kindly treatment at the hands of the Conservatives and Liberals alike as has the Labor Tarty. Whether, the two crafty older parties can see further t/han the average working man time will tell. Certain it is that neither party appears to be troubling greatly about the existence of the TJ.L.P.

The way in which Ministers of the Crown have been courting the electors of late has only been exceeded by the attentions of the, Reformists. Where one went there tho other also hastened. Both parties have been most lavish in praise of themselves. One lives in tho glories of a notable past; the other, with equal eloquence, predicts the glories of the future with the doughty Reformers at the helm. '

In all of the planning and plotting, there is one class that is entirely overlooked—the working-class. Tlie only thought given iP is as voters who can be gulled by vague promises or satisfied by political sops. As an organised body the workers arc not worthy of consideration—because they aro not yet organised upon a class basis. In the game of politics at the present time, as far as New Zealand at least is concerned, the qualification for participation therein is membership of the middle or employing class. With all New Zealand's boast of democracy, there are in the present Parliament a surprisingly few members acquainted with the rougher side of toil. , Even tho few exceptions arc afflicted with tho minds of their "betters."

However, there is consolation in the thought that there, will come a time when the Ma.sseys, the Mackonziea and the Fowldses will be ostracised as jxilitical leaders by tho workers of ibis country—a day when all the talk of parties will embrace but those part.v-S organised by economic law. The two parties—that of the workers and that of tho workers' enemies. "When the fight will be, not for the "sweets of office," but for the control of industry. There is consolation in the thought that when this fight is earnestly and intelligently entered into, there can be but one result*—victory for the workers.