THE WORLD'S WORKERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 233, 29 September 1908, Page 6

THE WORLD'S WORKERS.

On Sunday night, Mr F. G. Ewington (by invitation) addressed over three hundred Socialists, mostly men. at the Federal Hall, ou the above subject. He pointed out that non■workers throughout the world were _ecuniing more and more unpopular, and That nature was punishing tbem for not „doing adequate social service, inasmuch as workers lived longer, aud iv spite of hardships, happier than shirkers did. Com-pl-int-- such as heart disease, consumption, nervousness and cancer were far more numerous amongst non-workers. It was deplorable, however, to think of the great cost iv humau suffering which modern conveniences aud necessaries cost. Stokers in eugine rooms of vessels iv the Red Sea and other hot regions, lucifer match makers, steel filers, smelters, workers in sewers, mines, and in the fishing trade, were exposed to great dangers. The tabulated death roll of labour in one year quite recently was 4513 killed aud 112.133 wounded. Nothing was said of resultant poverty and suffering of survivors through loss of the bread winners. In some of the dust-producing occupations, such as cutlery, glass, zinc, lead, tin. wool, flour. and coal, it was found that the mortality was, in 2_ indnstries. more than double that of agriculturists: while in eight of the __.' occupations. _lnploying 100,0U0 men. the mortality was from 3 to 4_ times that of the agricultural class. One could not but admire the brave soldiers who charged at •Balaclava, and the iIOO Spartans who held the pass at Thermopalae, but there were equally great heroes and heroines in the lndT_stri.il field. Sister Dora in the fever ward, stewardesses giving up their own lifebelts to passengers, and dying at their posts, were equally entitled to admiration. 3.c was glad that Mr Carnegie had instituted a "Heroes of Peace Fund," of £12.500 n year iv England. It was a delusion to imagine that mancai or muscular workers were the ouly real toilers anc producers. Mental work had been under esS. ated, yet muscular workers prod p. "d but little results except through _»«■ l.ility of directors or captains of The world was waking up and the g___, 'mc was coming. Legislatures, clwirehes. to I the people were becoming alive to social responsibilities, as was seen iv recent la_ . on sanitation, workmen's insurance- 0.11 age pensions, suitable places in factories for meals, and In general betterment. There was no need for Socialism, especially iv New Zealand, the happiest and most prosperous country in the world, where wealth was more equitably distributed than elsewhere. As for employers it behoved them to remember that they too had a Master, who one day would reckon with them: and their trae policy was to secure for the toilers an adequate living wage, so that men and women -mid live like human beings. Tbe struggle that was being waged by the employed against employers was as real as that waeed t__rween rtvat tribes and nations. And what was it about? It was to secure a more equitable division surplus value. The -workers felt that they were not receiving justice—that the demands of labonr were arbitrary .-nd inadequate, and the workers resented the large fortunes made by employers, while the workers were left to charity on the workhouse in old age. A peaceful solution of this question would avert a great crisis between employers and employed. Consumers should keep the ring nnd secure fair play. After the address there was a very animated debate for an hour, A" vote of thanks was acocrded to Mr Ewinzton.