Preface.

With the exception of three articles—those on State Lawyers, Labour Members and The Future—the papers which make up the matter of this pamphlet were originally written as far back as the middle of 1891. Circumstances have contributed to delay their publication, but as advantage has been taken to incorporate in the work references to events of a highly important nature in their bearing upon social and labour questions which have subsequently transpired, the time that has elapsed can scarcely be held to materially depreciate whatever of value they may possess.

It need scarcely be said that, in such a work as this, there is no aspiration to "lift up Olympus "; there is no pretension to an accurate knowledge of "the strings that move in States the wheels of human things "; nor is there any seeking to pose as an Adam Smith or a Stuart Mill, although the world has moved apace since their day; but as through a variety of circumstances the writer has been called to devote a considerable portion of his thought to the study of public questions, there is a hope that the conclusions arrived at, and the suggestions ventured, may be esteemed of value, if only as the humble medium of arousing thoughtfulness upon the part of others.

Every day that passes witnesses thousands of literary productions poured forth upon the world. The volume of expression emanating from the daily Press alone—" words! words! words! "—is incalculable in its immensity. In all civilised lands the minds Of most analytical thinkers are constantly Btrained in search of the new; to it has come that he who appears with a new theorem to propound or a new truth to inculcate is regarded somewhat in the light of a benefactor of his race. Even the promulgation of one new idea is held sufficient to excuse much that may be imperfect or supererogatory. As, not improbably, at least two or three now ideas may be found put forward in these pages, perhaps nothing further need be urged in justification of their publication.