The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1890. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2062, 21 June 1890, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1890. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

We notice that almost all the newspapers say the Governor’s speech is in no way sensational, With this we disagree, It is sensationally long, sensationally stupid, and contains sufficient to show that it is the intention of the Government to carry out the policy enunciated by Mr Fergus in his recent speech to his constituents. Settlement is to be extended, roads and bridges made, and Native lands purchased, but the speech does not say where the money is to come from. Mr Fergus, however, said this : He said it was to be raised by means of debentures, and that has been recognised as thorough-bred borrowing. This raised a howl of indignation throughout the colony recently. The cry was no more borrowing for anything. That, therefore, we should regard as sensational. Then the speech intimates that a scheme for dealing with colonial defences on the lines laid down by General Edwards will be introduced. There have been a great many rumors afloat with regard to this matter. It has been said that country corps will be disbanded, and paid garrison corps established. We do not know whether this is the proposal the Government intend to make, but if so we should regard it as sensational. Legislation relating to the qualification and registration of electors is promised, and so is the issue of electoral rights—that is, every elector must pay one shilling for the privilege of voting. That, too, we regard as sensational

enougu. me present la-overnment has reduced the number of members so as to make constituencies larger, and give a better chance to wealthy men to get into Parliament, and not content with that they are now going to make every man pay one shilling before he can vote. The object of this is to destroy the voting power of the working man, and serve him right for a very bad use he made of it when he had it. He does not deserve to have a vote when he does not understand bow to use it, for if he did he certainly would not be the miserable slave that he is. The effect of making everyone pay one shilling for the right to vote will be that very large numbers of the working men will not pay it, and that, consequently, the Government of the country will fall completely into the hands of the wealthy. Let that class once get properly into power the result will be that we shall have to fly out of this colony and leave it to them as a sheep walk. We regard the speech as sensational enough, and we believe others will come to the same conclusion when they see what is behind it.

IMPENDING DANGER

The struggle between capital and labor has already begun, but who can say where it will end. In Sydney the capitalists are now formiug a trades union amongst themselves, and they have resolved to boycot everyone who infringes their rules. In this there is food for reflection. Hitherto there has been no decided organisation amongst capitalists. Each individual capitalist has so far fought his own battle with the organised forces of labor, and in most cases he has had to give way. If, now, as in the case of Sydney, capitalists organise and determine on giving battle, what will be the result? We do not presume to say, but it must be admitted that the outlook is very serious. It appears to us Sydney has just struck the first blow of a battle wnicb will last, if not there, in other parts of the world for many years to come. At present the dock Jabbers of Sydney can beat the capitalists, jt ?s all very well for Sydney capitalists to fifty they will give no cargo to vessels which do #.Qp comply with their own mandates. That’s all very well in Sydney, but when they have their vessel loaded what will happen when she reaches Melbourne, Adelaide, or any port in New Zealand, or how will fthc fare in the London docks ? Simply that eh,© will be allowed to rot before anyone can be got to unload her. The action of the capitalists of Sydney, therefore, is only so much blow, unless they can get the capitalists of other cities to unite with them, It ig not likely that this will be done immediately, fiat we believe that there is a tendency in that direction at present, and that it will come in due course, Labor unions should be very careful not to bring this about until their organisations embrace all branches of labor, and they are on a sound and solid footing. When the battle between capital and labor takes place it will be severe, and the side that wffts is likely to remain master for some time. Tfie dock laborers of Sydney have 2500 members in their union, and £7500 to their credit in the bank. Their vice - president, Mr Henry Eock, passed through here a few days ago, and is at present in the colony making provisions to fight the capitalists. We shall no doubt hear a good deal more of this matter.