THE GREAT SOCIAL TRANSITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8630, 28 July 1891, Page 3

THE GREAT SOCIAL TRANSITION.

TO THE EDITOR. \ Sib,—A number of gentlemen have commuuicated with me about forming some sort of an association which could unite all those who have real estate. To them and to Mr. Crispe I would say that the Employers' Associations already hi existence, if they extended their operations to embrace property defence, and were re-formed as employers and property defence associations, might do all that is required to counteract the work of the brotherhood of destruction. My object would be not to oppose force with force, but to oppose error with truth. Agitators are simply misleading the masses ami leading them to a war on rich men and riches. Although a gospel of despair is being preached, I am confident that it is not too late to do justice to 'die masses, to get them to listen to and to obey the truth. Show them their real 'interest, and that they can get justice without a general smash up, and thus prevent _the policy of physical force which some advocate. In a very short time Mr.UWildm&n will have a thousand copies of "Coesar's Column " to feed the people on, and the following is the expression of opinion of one of the leaders of the Brotherhood of Destruction Secret Society alluded to in that book : — There is in every conflagration a time when a few patla of water would extinguish it; then there comes a time when the whole fire department, with tons of water, can alone save what is left of the property; but some times a point is reached where even the boldest firemen are forced to recoil'and give up the building to the devouring element. Two hundred years ago a little wise statesmanship might have averted the evils from which the world now suffers. One hundred years ago a gigantic effort, of all the good men of the world, might have saved society. Now the fire pours in through every door, and window; and crevice ; the roof crackles ; the walls totter; the heat of hell rages within the edifice; it is doomed; there is no power on earth that can save it it must go down to ashes." That is a gospel of despair; is the gospel the masses are being fed upon, and I think that a judicious use of the Press and platform, and a prompt redressing of wrongs where they exist, may materially help to guide the great social movement which is now taking place, but which many fail to observe.—lam, etc., b\ G. Ewington.