A QUESTION OF TACTICS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6048, 5 November 1906, Page 10

A QUESTION OF TACTICS.

WHAT SHOULD LABOUR DO? There is a very marked cleavage between the views of Dr. McDonald (of Queensland) and those of the Hon. Bolin Rigg, M.L.C., as to what the platform of Labour should bo. With the object ' of eliminating diversions and divisions. Dr. McDonald recently -counselled trade unionism (vide Friday’s ‘Timed”) to keep away from the political machine and to concentrate on substantial Socialism, to wit, profitsharing. With the very same object the Hon. John Rigg just as strenuously counsels Labour not to introduce a new factor but to concentrate on the tallot-box. Who shall decide where doctors disagree?

Dr. McDonald addressed the members of the Wellington branch of tho Independent Political Labour League on Friday evening, advocating tho abolition of wage-slavery and tho substitution of profit-sharing, along lines already reported. In moving’ a vote of thanks to him, the Hon. John Rigg, who has just retired from tho presidency of the body, took opportunity to oritioiso Dr. McDonald’s advice, and asked Whether Dr. McDonald had considered! whether the proposed abolition of tho wage system was not introducing “another element of division and distraction into our already divided ranks.” What was required was that tho workers should got supremo control Of tho Legislature, and this was immediately within tho grasp of tho workers if they would organise in order to obtain it. Ho criticised tlio idea of tho abolition of wage-slavery by voluntary co-operation, which latter benefited only those connected with tho particular industry to which tho cooperation was applied. While workers

in a co-operative industry pot a share in the profits, this was only an addition to their wage, although they found the capital to themselves: it really came back to the wage eystcni. Cooperation did not diminish com petition, hut accentuated it. Dealing with co-operative commonwealtht’ as distinct from voluntary co-operation in industrial enterprise, the Hon. 'Air Uigg said the host work ho had read on tho subject was tho '‘Cooperative Commonwealth,” by Gronliind, whose scheme provided not for payment of wages in money, but for payment in time; so the wage system still encored into the co-operative commonwealth, although under another form.

Dr. AlcDonald, replying, regretted that the latenes-i of tho hour prevented him from answering the arguments of tho Hon, -Mi' lligg: and promised to go into tho matter at next meeting of the branch.

At an earlier stage of the proceedings the branch discussed tho question of the organisation of the League and its lack of succci-w in municipal and Parliamentary elections. An organising committee was set up to take tho whole subject into consideration, and all matters affecting the welfare of tho League, and to draw up a scheme of organisation.