Open Column June 1, 1895.

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE, JUNE 1, 1895.

Open Column.

For the expression of social and economic opinions with which the “Worker” does not necessarily hold itself in accord.

Gambling.

I note in recent issues of your paper, that some of your correspondents have been cautioning your readers against the above “old Adamite” sin. There are many evils, unfortunately, that far more urgently demand suppression, or abstention from, than gambling, in order to secure “more social justice in the government of men.”

Those other many evils are such as, by wise reform, might be eliminated from our governmental and social system; though the Courier declares they could not, because “they belong to human nature, and would appear under any system that might be devised.” That argument is just a “half-truth.”

Some of those evils undoubtedly could be eliminated from our social system, or be reduced and minimised if the governmental system were reformed, on real Socialist lines.

Gambling, like lying, belongs to human nature, and cannot without great difficulty be overcome before the millenium – be entirely eliminated.

The existent system of capitalistic and commercial feudalism encourages gambling, and could scarcely be carried on without it.

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As the Rev. G. D. Buchanan put it, straight, on his recent speech before the Ministers' Union on 28^th march, “The worst gambling in the country was not that of the two-to-one bar one man (or the consultation promoter he might have added or may imply). He had some respect for that man, and they knew what he was, and that he made no pretence to be other than a gambler; but when they went into a business matter they expected to get a quid pro quo. They, however, found their purchased or investments were more or less gambling.”

And necessarily so; under the competitive system all human life is one continuous gamble, or investment of money, industry, energy, influence, sympathies, efforts, or devices upon contingencies or chances. Scrip and share dealing, stock-broking, all insurance and “aleatory contracts,” and many kinds of commercial business, both credit and cash are only some phases of commercial and business gambling.

And legislatures pass acts to legalise and protect this gambling, called euphemistically “Insolvency Laws,” whereunder reckless, imprudent or unfortunate gamblers may become white washed and make a fresh start, after having duped their credulous creditors with dividends of 19s., 15s., 10s. Down to 2s. 6d. or 1d. in the £.

An ex-mayor of Sydney, who took home with him £80,000 in gold some years ago, boasted of the number of times he had been through the court, and said that “ insolvencies had been the making of his fortune!”

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The worst of gambling now-a-days is that the monied man has many – and the best of – chances, and the poor man has few, or none at all, and the few he has are only in 5s. or 2s. 6d. consultations

or sweeps. Perhaps that is why the goody goody Simon Pures of the Conservative school are so very bitter in condemnation of consultations and sweeps. The gifted author of “The World, the Flesh and the Devil” makes Gerard to say, truly, “ Among the youthful scions of the nobility, bankruptcy was common as scarlet fever; almost as inevitable as measles.”

And yet, for a poor man to risk, or throw away, 2s. 6d. or 5s. In a sweep or consultation, is a great depravity or proletarian sin! Such is life, under competitive, capitalistic and commercial feudalism!

TALLY - HO.

Socialism Successful.

When a private company supplied water to Glasgow, Scotland, the water tax was fourteen pence to the pound of assessed valuation, and the supply was poor and meagre. Since the city bought out the water company, and supplies its own water, the tax has been reduced to sixpence, and the city furnishes 200 gallons of pure water for about one American cent. A private company used to charge the people 114 dollars per thousand feet of gas. Now Glasgow owns the gasworks and gets her gas for 60 cents. Three times as much is burned, though the population has increased meanwhile but 25 to 30 per cent. Public health has improved and crime has decreased under the better illumination. Glasgow street cars in the hands of a private monopoly charged twopence a mile. Under municipal ownership and operation the service has been improved and extended, and the charge reduced one-half. The companies used to work their men twelve and fourteen hours a day, but the city works them ten hours. - The American Voice.

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PARKES' motion of censure on the present Government of New South Wales met with the fate it richly deserved, and was defeated by 67 to 34. Parkes and Dibbs are now two political eye-sores.