The Political Divide.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 72, 26 July 1912, Page 6

The Political Divide.

By F. R. COOKE

Mr. Masscy and his Cabinet make their debut on the political sla#o. Exeunt Mr. Mackenzie. If it wore not so awfully tragic it would be very funny. Governments come and governments go, but they fail to bring comfort to the workers.

Social unrest and workers' insecurity placed the Liberals in power. Social' unrest and workers' insecurity sent them out agin. All governments are subject to the same vicissitudes. They come into power promising to give something to the workers. But what they do give is like Dead .Sea fruitunsatisfying. For example, the Liberal Governments gave a long list of gifts to. the workers and members of those Governments can speak hours on the bene* ficial work they have done. But after all, they don't appear to have touched the fringe, of the trouble, ns during their regime, the poverty of the many, has increased at a very quick rate on tho one hand, and on the other the riches of the few have grown by leaps and bounds The wonder is that it doesn't dawn on the minds of governments that instead of handing "gifts"to the workers it would bo a changa > prevent them being robbed.

Nature is showering numerous blessings on mankind, and they come in such profusion that mankind is bewildered. Moiti work with untiring energy to capitalise Nature's bounteous stores, but when wealth is heaped up all around them greed and poverty of intellect prevent beneficial distribution. Thus social unrest.

It makes one inclined to smile when the question is asked: "What do you think of the Massey Government —will they do any good?" Mr. Massey'a party,, aro pledged to the interests of the la,nd-owning class and income-pay-ing, class. The workers pay rent/for land and income-tax is paid on wealth of which they are robbed—so if Mr. Massey and party carry out their pledges the workers will get even less of what they produce.

Mr. Massey is one of those who regard property as sacred. It is of first importance.—humanity is secondary.

Governments administering by that rule must fail. The growing knowledge of the masses is increasing the unrest. Workers ask for bread, and receive a stone.

The production of wealth is not the trouble—it is the distribution of wealth. Up-to-date no government has attempted to administer justly. All governments so far have been failures. Knowing this, how can we expect the Massey; Government to be a success. It is fairly safe to prophesy that during thear term of oftim Labor troubles will be rampant, national indebtedness will increase, the poor will liecome poorer, and the rich will grow richer.