1893 Election opinion

*THE WORKER*

Brisbane, October 15, 1892

IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

A Little Practical Advice.

The general elections are drawing near, and it is advisable now to take a careful survey of the situation. What we all desire is to break down capitalistic legislation and to obtain for labour-in-politics adequate power in the legislature in as-much as it represents manhood and not property. Moreover, it is to labour representation that we must look for the solution of the great social problem. The question then arises, what is the best way to utilise our labour members when we get them? Look at the position! There will be many Labour representatives in the next parliament. These, however, may be out voted by a coalition of the capitalist members whenever the privileges of Capital, just or unjust, are attacked. Why, then, not concentrate our forces upon an active propaganda with a view to winning over the farmers and shopkeepers, whose interests all along the line are identical with labour, before the elections of 1896.

In Germany, where the Social Democratic movement has achieved such signal success, the Social Democratic members never attend when purely capitalistic

legislation is before the Reichstag. When important legislation directly affecting labour is to be enacted a telegram from the leader of the party brings them flocking to the house. They recognise the patent truth that organisation, and the distribution of socialistic literature – in short the whole work of propaganda – is

immensely superior to mere talk. Our own members have shown us what excellent work can be done in this way, rather than remain in the house to be out voted at every division. Side by side with this active organisation the excellent work being done by the Social Democratic Federation should be greatly extended. The press is against us, our only hope is in clever pamphleteering. We want pamphlets on every great economical and political question which will sell by the thousand at one penny each. Thus, and thus only, can we hope to realise the great dream of forming a monster Farmers' Alliance, with branches in every constituency, which will be firmly united for all political purposes with the Labour movement.

The scheme of organisation should be most carefully elaborated. Then each of the Labour members, each paid servant of the unions, and every sympathiser should have his allotted post. Let us learn to despise talk. From the monument the polls are declared for 1893, let us work and organise for 1896. Then, indeed labour-in-politics would be an irresistible force. What should be the platform of the proposed Farmers' Alliance? Probably the following: (1) State banking with the issue of legal tender land loan scrip for the erection of permanent improvements to two-thirds the value of such improvements. Same to be issued at a rate of interest not exceeding 5 per cent. This would emancipate the farmer from the usurer. (2) Heavy reduction in railway freights; loss to the revenue to be made good by a graduated land tax so framed as to exempt all holdings up to say, 320 acres. (3) Amendment of the land laws. Free homesteads, not exceeding 160 acres, on the nearest Crown land to be available for every adult, male or female.(4) Divisional boards to have the power, when desired by a local option vote, to raise money by special taxation to build sugar and grist mills, irrigation works, factories for preserving and tinning fruit, &c.; &c.; in short all factories necessary for working up produce for the home markets or export. This would emancipate the farmer from the miller on the one hand, and always enable him to export, if such be the most profitable course, on the other.

(5) A minimum amount of property, both real and personal, to be exempted by law from distraint for debt. This would prevent the farmer from ever being entirely evicted from his homestead, leave him sufficient furniture to render home habitable, and sufficient stock and implements to carry on his farm.

(6) Survey of the country into hundreds. A fair proportion of the land in each hundred to be perpetually reserved and available as commonage. (7) Agriculture colleges for the youth of both sexes with a staff of itinerant teachers to give advice when required. (8) The establishment of government commercial agencies in England to receive produce consigned and to dispose of same at a minimum expense to the producer. This would prevent our farmers from being fleeced by the English middlemen. (9) Such legislation to be enacted as will effectually burst up the big estates. (10) Exemption of agriculture implements from tariff charges. Such in brief is the programme I would propose, and if carried into effect it would I firmly believe carry every farming constituency for Labour-in-politics. Then Queensland, like New Zealand, would enter upon a new path around the central sun of Progress, Industry and Peace.

If the success or failure of labour-in-politics will be determined entirely by the men chosen to carry out the propaganda and the right men are returned. New Unionism will gain the confidence of the masses and receive a forward impetus such as yet has never been seen. If the wrong men are selected, New Unionism with its off-spring, labour representation, can be buried in one common grave. We want steel-visaged, iron-mouthed, brainy men whose heads cannot be turned by flattery; political gladiators who go into the arena determined to fight the battle between Capital and Labour, to a finish. The strike weapon can never accomplish the emancipation of Labour, though in many instances it has rendered good service. It is like fighting with a steel blade without a hilt. While it wounds Capital it also cuts the hand of Labour. The hope of the people is concentrating itself in political representation and the propaganda. If this fails Queensland can be conveyed in fee simple to M'Ilwraith, MacFachern and Co., and the wage earners may bow their heads to their feudal lords. --[ ALARIC.