SIR JULIUS VOGEL ON THE WORKING CLASSES,

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 167, 26 June 1884, Page 2

SIR JULIUS VOGEL ON THE WORKING CLASSES,

When Sir Julius speaks of the working classes he speaks to them as one man should speak to his fellow man. He does not babble as Sir George Greydoes. He does not talk barley-sugar to them. Sir Julius knows there is quite as much intelligence, sturdy honesty and independence of feeling among the working classes as among any other class. Sir Julius spoke to hundreds of working men three or four nights ago

at Ashburton. He told them, their numerical superiority gave them the predominant power in the Colony, and they had this power in their own hands, and, as a matter of fact, the power of the State in this Colony rested in the hands of the working class, and he was far from saying that was not a consistent and a happy condition. He was not sure that power might not be the means of leading to greater benefits ; and, indeed, he thought it should be so, because if the power were in the hands of capitalists they would have great temptations to swamp labor. He did not object to the fact that the laboring classes possessed the predominant power in the Colony. They should know that they had it, and should exercise it. He thought they could safely be trusted to exercise it —because of two safeguards. The first of these was selfishness, and the next .was because of the intelligence of the labouring classes. Upon these two grounds he reckoned for making it not only safe but happy for the community that the predominant power should be in the hands of the labouring classes. It was all very well to talk in a sentimental fashion, but they never could leave out the element of selfishness, for it was safe to rely upon it; for it meant that any class which possessed the power would exercise it for its own benefit.

If, then, they relied upon their selfishness apart from their intelligence, then they would have anarchy and disorder, but when they had selfishness combined with intelligence, then they must have the laboring classes asking themselves this question, “ What is best for ourselves, and what is most conducive to our prosperity and happiness ? ” Then any intelligent member of the laboring classes could see that it was necessary that capital should be properly protected, and its rights regarded, and that should be done, while they took care to refrain from tyranny, for the laboring classes had to depend upon capital for the employment of their labor. All human progress was the combined result of the judicious working and combination of capital and labor. If the laboring classes were so unwise and so idiotic as to drive away capital, they would themselves feel it most. If they were to drive capital away, then enterprise of every kind would be suspended, and the laboring classes would feel the greatest want of capital which furnished the means of employing them. The laboring classes of the colony had also this further incentive, that if they took care that capital was properly protected, it would be in their power to cease to become employed, and instead thereof to become employers and to advance their position and to become respected. The members of the working classes with caution, industry, and intelligence had before them the opportunity of rising from the ranks to places and and positions such as could not but satisfy their most extravagant ambition, if they would only industriously pursue their objects. Their action would not only concern themselves, but their children’s children. These considerations should induce the working classes, who held the predominent power, to use it wisely and justly. It would be silly for him to tell them that if they drove away capital they could not manufacture it. The fact of capital being withdrawn from the country and discourage its introduction. Here we have in Sir Julius Vogel one ounce of good common sense to every pint of flummery which Sir George has poured out on his stumping tours. Sir Julius knows the working man as well as the working men know themselves; for he lived for many years among them, and in his time worked with them.