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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 69

No. IV

No. IV.

The possibilities which are open to a true democratic Government in New Zealand are stupendous and far-reaching. If you choose level-headed men, devoted to the popular cause, as your representatives, a complete transformation in the present conditions of life among the great body of the people i; possible of accomplishment in a future by no means remote. As a distinguished writer recently observed, "Government is only a machine to insure justice and help the people, and we have not yet developed half its powers. And we are under no more necessity to limit ourselves to the governmental precedents of our ancestors than we are to confine ourselves to the narrow boundaries of their knowledge or their inventive skill." There does not appear to me to be any well-grounded reason against the State doing its own banking, and receiving for public uses the immense profit now made by private financial corporations by a paper money circulation. A State guarantee for a five pound note would surely be as good as that of a company with limited capital. Then again if it be right for the State to carry its people and produce in railway trains, there does not appear to be any â priori reason against carrying them if necessary in steamships. When the time is expedient therefore the colony may well engage in the carrying trade by its own steamers on its own coasts. But it is unnecessary to further dilate upon the reforms and undertakings which are practicable in the interests of the people by a capable Liberal Government. Whatever can be demonstrated to be feasible, and will promote the comfort and well being of the whole population, may reasonably be adopted and carried out. The concerted action of the whole people exerted through their legally appointed executive is capable of carrying out works of a magnitude impossible in the past, even to the most powerful combinations of capitalists. And it is certain that the sphere within which the State may employ its almost limitless capacity and power is rapidly page 9 widening, and that the somnolent and stagnation policy of laissez faire has been absolutely and irrevocably discarded. The success which has attended Government Post Offices, Telegraphs, Life Insurance, &c., but dimly foreshadow the benefits which the people as a whole will receive in the future from the great enterprises of the State.

Now, the Tory party will strenuously oppose any extension of the sphere of action or influence of the State in civic and social life. The Tories are the staunch upholders of individualism, fierce competition and non-intervention by the State. The watchword of Toryism is "self," the battle-cry of Liberalism is "brotherhood." It matters not to the Tories that you point to the blessings of concerted action by the people as evidenced by magnificent Free libraries, Free Art Galleries, beautiful Public Parks and Gardens, cheap Postage, safe Life Insurance, and other advantages: they will tell you the Government—that is the people collectively—ought to leave such things to what they call "private enterprise" and benevolence, and that it destroys the manliness and the self-reliance of the people to provide such intellectual and physical advantages for them at the general expense. Every step you cause Government to take in advance will be fiercely and determinedly opposed by the Tory party. It is therefore of the highest importance that you should thoroughly organise yourselves, for in your union lies strength. The reason why the masses of the people have been kept in a state of serfdom through so many centuries is that they had no organisation and no means of organising. Your power collectively is irresistible, but unorganised you can be beaten in detail by the well organised capitalist class, among whom even without any formal organisation there always exists a strong esprit de corps. Combination therefore in societies, or a great federation or association, is the talisman, the "open sesame," to a complete and triumphant democratic political victory. Every worker ought to belong to a society, an organisation under whatever name, where his influence as a unit in the commonwealth may be usefully employed when the occasion arises. There can be no great success without organisation and the discipline which that necessarily entails. Therefore the workers ought to unite in a great political association, outride of their own special trades unions. The liberal Association which was established last year in Auckland seems at once to offer a rallying point for all true democrats and to be the nucleus of a great and powerful association which might ensure at future elections in this part of the colony the success of Liberals in every constituency. I would suggest therefore that you should all join or be represented in this energetic and growing society. Remember that your enemies have organised in the National Association, though they have not the candour to avow their true principles, but seek to achieve success by borrowing Liberal plumes and imposing on the artless and guileless electors. It appears that this Tory National Association refused to identify itself with the honest and outspoken Conservatives, who were not afraid to publish their principles on the house-top and to stand by them. The crafty leaders of the Association thought they might imitate the exploit of the Greeks at the siege of Troy, and capture the citadel by assuming a harmless disguise. But no one is deceived, and the true colours of the National Association are just as well known to everybody, and specially to Liberals, as if they were emblazoned on their charter. The National Association people would perhaps do well to think over this extract from La Bruyère: "Cunning leads to Knavery; it is but a step from one to the other, and that very slippery; Lying only makes the difference; add to that cunning, and it is Knavery."