LECTURE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVII, Issue 833, 4 July 1890, Page 5

LECTURE.

The Rev. Rutherford Waddell, M.A.,' of Dunedin, delivered a lecture in Barr's Hall on Wednesday evening on the subject of " The'industrial world ; yesterday, to-day, and to-morrow." There was a very good attendance. The Rev. S.- W. Currie presided, and briefly introduced the lecturer. Mr Waddell commenced by explaining that he had delivered the lecture in Invercargill on Monday night, when he found it occupied two hours. Ho therefore .determined to curtail it that evening by omitting the details of the conditions under which industrial pur&nits were carried on in ancient eastern lands,- and in the Greek and Roman Empires, &c. The first stage of the industrial world, heexplained, was slavery ; which was merged into serfdom on the advent of William the Conqueror, who vested the whole of the lands in himself, gifted them to his barons, these latter having their retainers or serfs. This was tho introduction of

the feudal system. He traced the progress of ovonts from this time up to the introduction of the wage-earning class, and to the present day. He referred to the effects of the introduction of steam, machinery, &c. , which changed the whole aspect of the industrial world. After explaining the miserable condition of workmen at that time, he proceeded to refer to the present position of matters. He said the workman had got his freedom, but it was very much of a farce. He had the liberty to sell his labour in the dearest market, but capital could do without labour for a time, whereas the workman could only get bread by selling his labour and were often obliged to undersell each other. Labour was producing far more than would provide sustenance. The surplus went to the capitalist instead of going, aa he contended it should, to the labourer that produced it. If it did not go there, it simply was labour unpaid' for. He referred to a number of evils of the present system, including the want of leisure to acquire education and enjoy the pleasure of arts and literature ; the insecurity of their employment, and their inability to make provision for old age, &c. He then pointed to the revolution now going on"~ in the industrial world, and expressed his conviction that the time was at hand when the grand standard would bo that of fidelity and equitable and just payment, independent of the number who were prepared to do the work. He referred to. the present tondency for producers to unite in companies, syndicates, etc., andfjr working men to form unions. What he thought it should all result in was for the State to assume control of all wealth-producing instruments—land, mines, machinery, &c. , and devote the results for the benefit of all. The working men were now asserting their independence ; their claims were based on justice, and would ultimately be 'granted. Mr Waddell concluded an ablo and most interesting lecture with an eloquent peroration on the rights of the working classes, and sat down amidst hearty applause. On' tho motion of Mr Paton a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to thu lecturer, which was duly acknowledged by Mr Waddell.