SOCIAL INEQUALITIES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 346, 27 February 1889, Page 6

SOCIAL INEQUALITIES.

The chill winds of night o'er the dark Ocean sweep, The black-mantlod Heavens in sympathy weep ; As dark as the midnight, as chill as the wind, Injustk-e-fed phan,toms come into my mind. The storm-laden tempest wails moaningly past, I feel not the breath of the keen-biting Wast ; Its toree is unheeded, unnoticed te ram ; The hot "blood of anger throbs high in each vein. I think of the thousands 'mid wealth and perfume, • - • - < While millions must grovel in squalor and gloom, ' " , With faces all furrowed with hunger and care, Whose dens arethehauntol the demon despair. I think of the helpless and innocent, hurled The plaything and scorn of this piti ess world ; Of those who run riot in splendour and mirth. And. hold in their coffers the pleasures of earth ; I Of those who may sin as each wish may afford, [ And mock at rebuke 'neath the title of Icud; Of those who may murder the workers m health And cover their crime with, a varnish of wealth. J think of the toilers, hnpre numberless band, Down-tiodden and crushed in each civilised land ; A& waters? of omm lumultuouslv i oil The billows oL I 1I 1 Ured bu st o\ er my soul. I feel like a cnpmo imprisoned, > ot vu'd, Close Gfuarded, reitiiued, reproached, and reviled , Enchained by the system T move with the wheel — Enchained, but, resentful. I bitieriy fool. How frantic and futi'e to sint^ es ay To chock th" fell pi ogress ot social decay; ' Bui could the v.'isi legions enlightened arise How f i ail then iho-r bondage, how feeble their lirs! Oh! could ihe\ lertocin but their sr are of the soil !' 10m 'hose w ho umu'jj it and preediiy spoil This lif<» ot Us beaut v. this earth ol" iis charms, And fill the wide world with starvation's' alarms. J For Cxd'l never wished it, nor did He command The worker should starve on the wcilthj one's land. Nor. did 110 to millions the heritage j?ive ' ' To ceaselessly toil and despairingly live « A sword of Damocles, by gossamer thread, Is tremblingly hung o'er 'each proud tyrant's head *, The dim \ ision darker s their strife in the air ; Relinquish your parasite hold, or beware ! Chvrles E. llakvie. Auckland, January 7, 1889.