EDUCATE OR FAIL May 11, 1895.

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE, MAY 11, 1895.

Bystanders' Notebook.

TOZER'S BRUTAL SENTIMENTS.

It is to be sincerely regretted that want of space prevents the publication in full of the interview that took place at Rockhampton between representatives of the Democratic League and Tozer. The arguments of Kidston on behalf of electoral reform are indeed well worthy of perusal, and in answer to them Tozer could advance nothing. He indulged in the pettifogging trick so peculiar to his profession of twisting words. Kidston fought well the battle for manhood and womanhood. Tozer tried to defend the position of the Fat Man. Kidston pointed out that existing grievances were the causes which begat discontent. Tozer cried aloud, “Remove the agitators and there will be no grievances at all.” Kidston did his best to assist reform and Tozer did his worst to prevent it. But there was one thing in particular Kidston did at the interview in spite of Tozer's legal training. He dragged aside the polished veneer of the coercionist Minister and showed him in his true colours as a brutal politician. The extension of the franchise will never end, said Tozer. “Ever since the passing of the Reform Bill it has been going on, and I have no hesitation in saying that if the franchise was extended to the class of men for whom you are speaking the thing would not end. In fact, there will be no end until might gets the power over right. That is human nature. When right is the oppressor then it is the time for might: but I am not one of those who believe in giving an extension of the franchise to mere brute force. When brute force is associated with wisdom, then I will go with you; but when it is not associated with wisdom I will not.” Slaves first, then serfs, and now wage-slaves. History shows that the workers of the would have in the past been kept from their rights by the iron hand of the oppressor. It is impossible for bushmen, miners or seamen, under the present iniquitous electoral laws of Queensland, to obtain a vote. This Tozer clearly understands. His words on the question of electoral reform, which this journal italicises, are the most brutal that have ever been applied by an Australian politician to the wage-earning population.

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WAGE-SLAVES.

The working class oftimes boast of their freedom. Where does it come in? Let us try to find it, and the more deeply we go into the problem the more we shall convince ourselves that we are slaves. Our fathers produced wealth in the old countries for capitalists who then sent us (the children) into new countries to produce more wealth, which makes as greater wage-slaves day by day, And so the process goes on from day, to day, building up a system which crushes us, forces all that is noble in us to wither, injuries the future race, and makes us-not what nature intended us to be-less than men.

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APATHY.

Why are the workers so apathetic whilst those “who neither toil nor spin” are so active. The reason is not far to seek; the Fat Men acknowledge what they call their rights, therefore they fight for them.

Up to the present the worker does not know his rights, he seems contented so long as he gets bread and beer. He says, “give me a fair wage and I am content,” while he thinks not of the profit which comes out of his labour, such profit helping to enslave him more and more. The more wealth produced, the more interest demanded by the capitalist on that wealth, and if it cannot be got then there comes a fall of wages, and the wealth producer has to reduce his cost of living once more, such cost oftimes meaning an infliction upon the coming race, for by starving their stomachs they cannot develop a healthy mind, thereby falling an easy prey to the intriguers and helping to sustain the present system.

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EDUCATE OR FAIL.

In Queensland to-day, even with our faulty electoral system, the workers are strong enough to return progressive men. Even if we have one man one vote, unless we are educated to know what to demand, reform will not come. The fault to-day is that we are led away by side issues and miss the end we would desire. Some workers say we are too extreme when we demand Socialism. Yes, “some go in for numbers, let us get in plenty of Labour members and we will be right.” No, my friends, you will not be right. You must first of all get right yourselves, then reform will follow. We must not depend too much at present upon Parliamentary action, but must be active in the cause of propaganda, either by voice or pen. Let each man make of himself an agitator, and as we make converts, so, step by step, we make advance; our footing shall be on firm ground; for if tomorrow we were to return a majority of Labour men, who introduced Socialistic measures, and the people outside are not educated up to Socialism, our movement would become reactionary. Educate the people first and success is ours. FERDINAND. Gympie.