FACTS FOR WORKING MEN

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1725, 20 September 1862, Page 5

FACTS FOR WORKING MEN

[From the Melbourne " Herald," August 27.]

That the principle of association for purposes of mutual benefit has received a fresh impulse in this colony from the recent lecture of the Commissioner of Public Lands, will not be denied, we think, by any impartial observer of passing But there are other directions in which this principle may be applied, as well as in that of promoting settlement on the public lands. From time to time we have recorded in these columns the very Striking advances made by the co-operative labour associations in the mother country. We have now a few more facts and illustrations bearing on this very important subject to lay before those persons whom they more immediately concern. We refer, of course, to the working classes. The progress of the industrial co-operative movement at home is carefully noted by Lord Brougham ; and there is always a section devoted to it in those marvellously comprehensive addresses which he annually delivers as President of the Social Science Association. In his address for the present year,—read at Exeter Hall on the sth June, before an immense audience, —his Lordship referred to his favourite theme in terms approaching to exultation. He stated that he had ascertained on unquestionable authority that there are now no less than 500 co-operative societies in England alone. The importance of these " admirable institutions," continued his Lordship, may be estimated by the fact that 273 of them have 69,000 members, a capital of two and a half millions, and their sales for the la3t quarter were upwards of £560,000, With such facts before him he was perfectly warranted in asserting that "co-operation is becoming a power in the state." As yet, however, it is only in its infancy ; but no man can say to what this fruitful and most profitable principle may grow in time. Amongst those who, with Lord Brougham, are taking a deep personal interest in the development of the principle, Mr. Matthew Davenport Hill, the well-known Recorder of Birmingham, holds a foremost place. This eminent philanthropist has devoted his attention to the legislative hearings ot the subject, and he has already suggested some most valuable improvements in the practical working of the societies. Some of the ablest lawyers in England are freely giving their aid, and—as Lord Brougham expressed it,— "streneous endeavours are being made to mould the laws regulating the co-operative institutions into the best torm fo; securing their permanence and adaptation to their object." There is, in tact, at this moment a hill before the Imperial Parliament for the better management of industrial co-operative associations

passed into law without any opposition. At all events, if there 60 any s.jcli eternal conflict between Capital and labour as we hear so much about in this colony, it does not take the shape of opposition to the extension of the co-operative principle. So that there is not the least ground for dreading that either the Manchester school or the landed interest will throw any barrier in the way of the measure in question. On the contrary, indeed, it is a very remarkable thing to note that from no quarter whatsoever does there seem to come the slightest antagonism to the new system of associated labour. The political economists, with Mr. Mill at their head, and the practical philanthropists with Lord Brougham at their head, are ail in favour of it. The Times thunders against foolish, wasteful, and suicidal "strikes;" but it has not an objection to raise against the system which would do away for ever with the causes which lead to strikes. The Saturday Review does not denounce this idea at least as Utopian, impracticable, and absurd. The inveterately Tory Blackwood expresses no alarm at the advance of this movement for their own social (mancipation amongst the working classes. On the other hand, in such first-class liberal magazines as Macmillan there appears from time to time an able paper on the subject, from the pen of some thoughtful man who is quietly watching the progress of the new experiment. Already, as we have seen, there are 500 societies in existence at home. This single fact settles the practicability of the scheme. Had if, not been of a nature to stand the test of a severe and trying ordeal of probation, it would have begun and ended with the single experiment of the Rochdale Pioneers. The 500 societies are the natural and inevitable outgrowth, as they are the triumphant illustration, of the innate soundness and the boundless fruitfulness of the principle of associated labour. Once more, then, we invite the attention of the working classes of this colony, and especially of Melbourne, to a subject which is of such vital importance to their own interests. In our capacity as journalists, we can do no more than simply chrouicle facts which bear upon the interests of largo sections of society, and show their bearing on the well-being of men around us. We may certaiuly claim to have discharged our duty in the present case. It remains for the working men of Melbourne to give the tacts and observations we have collected their appropriate local and practical application.