FROWSY SOCIALISM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3175, 28 April 1909, Page 4

FROWSY SOCIALISM.

Should there be only one class of railway ' carriage? This question has been opened up by the Labour Congress now sitting in Sydney. That body has resolved that there shouldbe only one class of carriage, and that all carriages should be levelled up to the first class. During the discussion, opinions were expressed that "most of the accidents that occurred were the result of overcrowding of the second clasp." Here is another of Labour's absurdities, remarks the Oamaru "Mail." It is something more than a desire to recognise sochl distinction that has caused the creation of different classes in railway carriages. Indeed, many persons who are not poor travel second class, if they do not mind its inconveniences. There certainly is no idea in this country that thosi who travel second-class are inferior. The maintenance jf first-class travelling accommodation is due to the necessity to make people pay somewhat according to their capacity towards the expenses of constructing and maintaining railways, and to provide travelling that there is some assurance will be comfortable. Labour representatives are constantly claiming that the wealthier should contribute more liberally to the cost of government, and yet they would abolish one means of levying upon wealth by restricting railway carriages to one class and making the fares second class.