AMERICAN CONDITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 283, 24 August 1908, Page 8

AMERICAN CONDITIONS.

IMPRESSIONS OF A VISITOR. PROGRESS AND POLITICS. America presented an interesting study to Mr. Downie Stewart, of Dunedin. Mr. Stewart was in Wellington yesterday, having just arrived from a trip abroad. "My stay in America, however," said he to an interviewer yesterday, " was so brief — only about sis weeks —and tho country /is so vast, that any general impressions of it arc likely to bo oven more erroneous than those of tho numerous visitors to Now Zealand, who sum up (ho country after a very brief stay." Mr. Stewart visited the city of Denver. Tho Democratic Convention was held there in tho Auditorium, a vast hall to hold 12,500. Many prominent citizens had to obtain admission by acting as attendants, ecc. He did not stay the Convention, as the prospects of obtaining admission were so remote, and, in any case, tho nomination of Mr. Bryan, and the programme of the party, were out and dried beforehand. Corruption in Politics. Whilo corruption in politics generally was as bad as wo had always been led to believe, yet tho more thoughtful students of American politics row hold high hopes of a gradual improvement. They pointed to tho fact that one by one of tho States wero going through tho process of icforrn, and men who ten years ago had given up all hopes and interest in parties now displayed cheery optimism as to tho future. In municipal politics so many of the States had thrown away all attempts to control their public utilities that it was difficult for a publicspirited citizen to take any interest in' tho States' welfare. In Denver all tho public services, ' such as trams, lighting, telephones, etc., wero in pnvato hands. The political power which theso services carry was appaling. Tho "boss" controlled tho appointments of all sorts of officials, who, in theory, were appointed by the electors. Ono of tho judges had told Mr. Stewart that his rejection at the nest election was, a foregone conclusion, as he had fallen foul of tho public utilities corporation. This judge was a man whose reputation had spread beyond America. _ "To sum up," said Mr. Stewart, "the majority of' magazine articles on American politics are substantially correct." Students of Politics. One was struck by 'tho closc intercourso between tho universities and general politics in America. Tho professors wero not recluses preaching dry doctrines to the students. They were in close touch with legislation. The main principles of any important Bill wero often suggested or drawn up by some economist of standing, who was well acquainted with tho subject. Another thing that struck Mr. Stewart was the .large number of students at the universities who worked on the railways, as conductors, or on farms during vacation, and who often during the session would board themselves by cutting firewood, cleaning boots, and doing the general work of the family with whom they lived. In fact, tho independence and self-reliance of men of all classes was wonderful, and a most admirable national trait.

Did you mako any particular note of tho labour conditions?

"I should say from inquiries I made that the skilled labourer of Western America, is better off .as regards wages than tho New Zealandcr.' In Denver tho ■ wages of skilled

artisans are considerably higher than -in New Zealand. Of courso tho cost of living is somewhat higher, but not sufficiently to neutralise the difference in wages. As you go East tho position of the wage-earner becomes less favourable." Mr. • Stewart mado a very interesting stay with tho Roycrofters, Messrs. Elbert Hubbard, Richard Lo Gallievo, and others. Mr. Hubbard expressed a strong desiro to visit Now Zealand. Ono of tho surprises to a New Zealander in America was- tho smallness of tho land holdings. Anyone with a "section" —i.s.. 650 acres —was considered to bo a largo land holder. Of course the explanation in many parts was the climatic conditions and the necessity for sheltering stock in tho winter. New Zealand Politics. Asked regarding, his own position in politics in Now Zealand, Mr. Downie Stewart (who. it should bo mentioned), is to bo a candidate for a ;Dunedin seat) said ho had not yet got fully into touch with matters here, but the statement made, on Friday by Mr. Reardon (Secretary to the General Labourers' TJnion) that .he (Mr. Stewart) had been in communication with tho Labour party was very ambiguous. "If ho means I havo been seeking their support, it is wholly incorrect, and Mr. Reardon must havo been misinformed. I have tho good fortune to bo on terms of intimato friendship with some of the Labour leaders. I find tho study of the present position and future prospects of tho Labour party ono of absorbing interest, and 1 am in hearty accord with somo of tho reforms they aim at. At tho samo time, I cannot adopt the platform of tho Labour League, still less can I subscribo to tho constitution and pledgo. I fully recogmso tho strong reasons for such a constitution — namely, tho fact that without it they aro merely mado uso of by all professionals as a step-ladder, and that they havo been too often betrayed by tho man who is ' quite as good as a Labour man.' "