The Press. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1894. AN EXAMPLE TO BE FOLLOWED.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8729, 27 February 1894, Page 4

The Press. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1894. AN EXAMPLE TO BE FOLLOWED.

The members of the Auckland Trades and Labour Council aud the local section of the National Association have set an example to the rest of New Zealand, aud we hope the example will oe followed in other centres. The Trades aud Labour Councils have for their object the promotion of the well-being of the wage-workers of the colony, and although not professedly political organisations, they nevertheless look mainly to the Legislature for giving effect to many of the proposals which from time to time come before them for consideration. The National Association is avowedly a political organisation. lb took an "active part in the late general election by giving its support to particular candidates. It baß nominated its Vicu President for the Beat rendered vacant by the unseating of Mr. Monk, aud in opposition to the Ministerial candidate. The political views of its members are in fact, in the main, those held, by those opposed to the present Government, while it is well known tbat the Trades and Labour Couucihhave been generally favourable to th<j party now iv power. The fact theii that these two bodies met together iv friendly conference aud engaged in & discussion ou several important politics! questions, is a highly encouraging event, lb is most desirable that the members of the National Association should ascertain from actual personal discussion what the aims aud aspirations cf the trade organisations are, and tbe reasons put forward by their leaders for the policy they advocate. It is equally desirable that the leaders of the National Association and similar organisations should have an opportunity of stating their ojoiuioiiß upon such proposals, aud also of placing before the Labour leaders their own political views, and the grounds upon which they are held by the National Association. In this way they all get to know each other's views expressed in a friendly manner, and free* from the heat of political agitation. " ' j

It may safely be said that fourths of the troubles and difficulties which beset ail self-governing countries are due to the fact that nearly every question which comes before the Legislature is converted into a party oiio by self-interested leader.!. We see this in the Imperial Parliament, where even such a vital subject as national defence cannot be honestly discussed on its merits.. Iv ttiis colony the same misfortuue attends us when we endeavour, to deal with the highest national problems. It suits the party leaders that aueh should be done, aud so far they have always succeeded in having their own way. Until we are able to get the system altered, the only thing to be done is for the people themselves, apart from the politicians, to set about the tank of arriving at a clear conclusion as co what they really want and in what way those objects can be best secured. The Auckland Trades and Labour Council aud the National Association have, we think, shown the colouy f;be course to be pursued. A great step in advacce will have been taken when it is practically recognised that all sections in the oommuuity have a common interest in promoting only schemes which make for" national progress. They may not always agree as to the means to be used * buE if ib is once decided that we are more likely to arrivii at a souud conclusion by friendly conference

than by embittered, party debate, we shall be well on the road to a better condition of things. No private enterprise could possibly succeed if the shai*eholdsrs considered it the proper j thing to meet periodically and, divided i iuto two hostile camps, proceed j to ray the most disagreeable things of each other, and do everything in their I power to prevent the majority from doing auy business whatever. Y9t j this is the theory ou which party , Government is founded. Every proposal put forward by the leaders of the majority is defended by aU the argumeuia which tell in its favour, and all those against it are ignored. The minority consider it right to say all j that can be said against it, although it may have features which tbey heartily approve of aud would, under other circumstances, support. This, we say, is party Government, aud if the principle were given effect to iv private I concerns would bring the most promising business into bankruptcy. There are, however, indications that the people are getting heartily sick of the degrading struggle, aud the successful and harmonious conference held in Auckland the other eveniug is practical proof of this. Why should thu affairs of the whole colony be successfully mauaged on lines which would ruin any private concern ? This was evidently the feeling of the members of the Conference. Tbey desired to know in a friendly way what their views were as to the best means of promoting their common good, and they tookt he common-sense course of meeting together to find out in what; respect they agreed and in what they differed. There waa apparently no angry debate, no impucatiou of base motive, no attempt to describe each other as corrupt and debased. They met together as colonists having a common interest in national progress, and they separated witlf mutual respect and esteem. Why should not the same course be followed all over New Zealand? Tbe present ia a most opportune time for carrying out such a movement. People of all shades of political opinion evidently realise keenly that there is something unsatisfactory iv the state of the country. Things have not turned out for any party as thoy expected. Y/hy then not form Committees of Aational Safety all over the country ? Why uot for a time bury politics and deal with the affairs of tbe nation as a matter of business 1 This would mean, of course, that party politics would be sifc aside, and tbat representatives of all classes should meet together for the consideration of questions affecting the whole community. Nothing but good could come out of such gatherings. Indeed, it is almost impossible to ever estimate tbe healing results which would flow from a general determination on the part of the people of New Zealand to deal with national affairs from a purely national point of view.