BEN TILLET INTERVIEWED.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8963, 31 October 1907, Page 4

BEN TILLET INTERVIEWED.

Mr Bon Tillett passed through Christchurch on Thurnsday on. his wav south. According to a very unconventional interviewer, who had a chat with him on behalf of Christchurch Truth, he was wearing the white' waistcoat of a blameless life, and was further adorned by a neat fob chain, and fingered the plump cigar of pleasing circumstances with the air of a connoisseur. “I am all right, but I’ve lost my bag,” he said. “Perhaps someone thought he needed it more than yon,” the reporter ventured consolingly. “Isn t that the application of practical Socialism?’ „ . 1 ' “No,” retorted Mr Tillet, disgustedly. “That’s not Socialism, that’s capitalism; _ take everything and leave yon nothing.” He was asked what improvements he noticed in New Zealand since he was here ten years ago. , , . “Well,” he said, “I see palatial ’ buildings everywhere, warehouses, I shops, and public-houses, but tne worker still has to live in his miserable little house, and his condition is not much improved, ine worker is tired, more tired than when 1 was here before. He .does not seem to have the vim he had before. There is not the same interest in the Labour organisations; no cohesion, no agreement upon ideals and aspirations. Everybody tells the i New Zealand worker lie is well off, ! a id he is too tired to think it out for himself. I would like to see the Labour movement in New Zealand organised upon an economic basis. I don’t believe any real political fight on sound lines will ever be made by the workers in New Zealand until the practicability of Socialism is thoroughly realised. I foresee that in four or five years your freehold parties will be very strong, backed as they are by the press, the squatters aud the vested interests. I can only see that prevented by a more intense application of trade unionism and better organisation. The Labour party is the only one that can save the freehold to the State.” . , , The present, ruling political party, lie added, was good enough for the workers ou their present piano of thought, but they would have to demand! more to benefit themselves to any. material extent. “But'what do the workers want’ ? “What do they want? They want the earth, that’s all.” “Having got it, what would they

do?” “Well, for one thing, they would give greater security to all the fruits of their labours. Take your own case. What security have you got if you fall sick?” Well, a holiday on full pay is the rule in most offices. ’ ’ “That’s good. But, supposing your people advertised for twenty leader-writers, aud twenty reporters, aud a hundred came after your job, how would you feel?” “They could not get twenty m New Zealand, and a hundred would not come after my job. ” ‘ ‘ Oh, well, your business must be different to any other. That’s all 1 can say. Under Socialism you might not have to work such loug hours anyway. “I am coming back on the 29th, and yon can come and report mo verbatim, or botch me up as yon. like.” . ... , Mr Tillett’s brow was still visibly clouded as lie stepped aboard the train aud sought the seclusion of a lirst-class carriage.