The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1885. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1343, 21 May 1885, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1885. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

The struggle for existence in all parts of the world at the present time seems to be extremely intense. A short time ago an excited meeting of working men was held on the Thames Embankment, and one of the speakers said they would resort to violence if a means of living were not provided for them. In Prance the unemployed hare already indulged in rioting and outrages, and it look*, ai if another revolution were banging over that unfortunate country. In Germany the undercurrent of Socialism is menacing the throne ; in Russia Nihilism is as active as ever; in Italy a strong republican spirit is springing up, and even in America the science ofdynanute appears to bo studied with a view of striking terror into the moneyed classes of that country. Wherever one turns it is tho same. The masses are growing more and more discontented daily, fierce hatred of the privileged classes seems to be the ruling passion of the people, and a serious rupture is bound to result from it before long. Apparently all that is needed is to set the ball rolling. In 1848 the revolution in Prance created a spirit of uneasiness throughout Europa, and monarchies were shaken to their foundations. Should the present generation receive such encouragement as the success of the French gave then, there can be no doubt but that the consequences would be infinitely more serious. Dynamite, Greek fire, and kindred explosives equally destructive, will form the weapons of the future revolutionist, and through their agency he will be found a far more formidable enemy than put generations have had to en« counter. That the privileged class have done, and are still doing much, to provoke the worst passions of men can not be doubted. They have frequently received warning of what is coming ; they have been advised to yield such conceslions to the elements of discontent as would silence them, but not one inch would they give way, Socialism in their opinion is confiscation ; Communism is robbery, but if the truth were really told more dastardly, cowardly crimes have been committed under the 3belter of the law than have been committed by all the isms that have sprung up from time immemorial put together. However, it ia not our desire to enter more deeply into this subject. Our object is to show that the masses are crying out for reforms ; that the governing classes still resist their demands, and that this must eventually lead to serious results. In this colony no such dangers threaten us just yet. We bear the cry of the unemployed ; we feel the power of the Trades Unionist, but secret organisations aiming at nothing but the overthrow of constituted authority have no existence in our midst. How long we shall enjoy immunity from them is another question. A prosperous contented community enjoying equal privileges was never known to organise rebellious societies ; it is want, it is i squalid poverty, it is the desire to sustain life without being afforded the means of doing bo, that ever since the world began has incensed men to violate law,- and these conditions are already making their appearance in our midst It is useless to persuade ourselves that such is not the case. The Hon. John Ballanca has admitted after having thoroughly investigated the matter, that much distress and poverty exist at the present time, and whan a Minister of the Crown feels compelled to say this we may rest assured that it is true. We have no hesitation in saying that such a state of things ought not to exist. We have one of the finest countries in the whole world { we have territory able to support 20 times our present population, and under such conditions want should be unknown, except in cases of sickness or incapacity to work. But strong, ablebodied, hard-working men, anxious to improve their position, and not afraid of work, are in want at the present time, and if this is to continue it must eventually lead to the formation of organisations such as are to be found elsewhere, Our duty in tbis colony is

to nip the evil in the bud, and proride for these people means of earning a livelihood. Thi» perhaps is difficulty, but if the plan so frequently suggested by us were adopted there can be no doubt but that it would prove an effectual remedy. Let the Government buy from the present owners a few acres of land, and let them let it to working men at a rental of 5 per cent, on the purchase money. If this is done, the unemployed cry will no uior« be heard, want will disappear, and justice will be done to a long-suffering but deserving class, ftach man has a right to a. home in the country in which he live* ; in this way that principle would be affirmed and much of the cause for discontent would be removed.