Manifesto.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 73, 2 August 1912, Page 11

Manifesto.

-Of the— NEW ZEALAND SOCIALIST PARTY

We. the New Zealand Socialist Party, declare our distiuctiveness from all ether political parties, inasmuch as wo realise that there, is existing a CLASS WAR. This war arises from the inevitable conllict of interest between the Capitalist Class, who control the means «rf life, and the non-controlling I'roducing Class.

We ifalisc that tin , control of the land and tlio machinery of production in the hands of the comparatively few places the many at the greatest disadvantage and inflicts the gravest injustices. The result is inevitably a very unequal distribution of wealth, with hardship and suffering the lot of the largest proportion of wage-earners, whilst insecurity of livelihood threatens a'l producers.

The Class War can only bo terminated by the ending of contending class interests through the establishment of a Co-operative Commonwealth, in which the means of life Collectively owned and managed exploitation will cease.

To this end, therefore, we will not enter into any endorsements, fusions, bargains, or mutual understandings whatsoever with any other party which ihall in any way compromise our principles, for our determined purpose is to overthrow Capitalism and abolish the wage-system onco and for ever.

This Avill bo accomplished by the workers securing to themselves economic and political power by uniting on the industrial field into Ojio Big Classeouscious Union, and on the political field into one Socialist Party—both national and international in character — thereby finishing tho Class War by the supremacy of the working-class and the establishment of working-class ideal?.

In the, meantimej such measures of relief as may bo forced from Capitalism will be taken advantage of, but in the Securing of such the, Socialist Party will always and everywhere guide itself by this question: Will this proposal advance tho interests of tho workingclass and the workers in their Class Struggle against Capitalism?

If it will, the Socialist Party is for it; if it will not, the Socialist Party is absolutely opposed to it.

We, tho Socialist .Party, strenuously advocate and uphold Industrial Unionism as tho logical extension of Trades ■Unionism, and consequently oppose compulsory arbitration and similar legislative enactments as disadvantageous to militant and bask: action, and as fostering a seeming mutuality of interest between Capitalist and Wage-earner— robber and robbed—which obscures and harasses sound working-class organisation.

"\Y<\ the Socialist Party, are uncompromisingly hostile to all forms of militarism, recognising that while the Class State exists tho armed forces will bo used to buttress up Capitalism and to hold down the workers. We further affirm that .all tlio energies of the Working-class can bo most profitably utilised in building up its industrial and political organisations, which shall (finally render war impossible, and ■which organisations, by international affiliation and alliances between the. working-classes of all nations, are at present the chief guarantee of the peace of tho world.

We. do not seek political office except it be at the hands of a majority of class-conscious voters, ior ours is a revolutionary work,, and Parliament as at present constituted will be of little use to tho Industrial Democracy that we aim to establish, and it will need reorganising. Thereloro is our policy built upon basic principles, which we will not. lose Bight, of nor deviate from. In keeping with these, we. seek an immediate extension of democratic power, and whatever government is in oflice wo demand the Initiative, the Refercndurm and Proportional 'Representation, with Power of I'ecall, I hereby putting full and rapid power into the hands of tinpeople.

For the Sneial'st I'arfy of X.Z. \\. J. JIOWAIU), PresidentF. 11. COOK 1' , ,, Secretary. Headquarters: Box LU:-), G.P.O. Christehuroh.