NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8265, 30 October 1912, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Tli© monopolists are getting very arrogant these nays. It is reported in the press that the Melbourne Steamship Company have won on an appeal against tho judgment fining them for refusing to give evidence under the Anti-Trust Act. The High Court decided they were not compelled to answer. Wo have a repetition here in the Now Zealand Merchants' Association refusing to _ give evidence before tho Cost of Living Commission. In its report the commission says; “There was ... a reluctance on the part of some to disclose, even in confidence, information exclusively in their possession, which would have been of tne utmost service to tho commission in framing its report."

If, these monopolists refuse to give information we have a right to assume there is something they wish to hide Horn tiie general public. This something is evidenced by tho action of tho coal vend in New South Wales being able to expend vast sums of money in fighting tho people in their recent case. By these means tho large capitalists are reducing the law to a farce, and by flouting wellestablished customs in refusing to give evidence are lending color to tho schemes of the opposite extreme, who, claiming tho law is van for them (the moneybugs), refuse to have anything to do, eitner with its administration, so far as they can avoid it, or in its making. Hero, in lact, are tho two extreme schools of Anarchists.

Tho United Labor Party must enter its protest against tho actions of both those sections. It claims that an orderly progress must como about by the recognition of the law as it stands; and that all endeavors must be made to obtain relief, where necessary, by means of peaceful methods. This can bo done to a large extent by those interested getting together and placing laws on the statute book with that end in view; let these monopolists beware they do not arouse a monster they will bo unable to quell. If they have no regard for the law, they can hardly expect other sections to full down and worship it.

The tendency of those on top is to ignore the rights of those underneath, with what terrible results is shown in the history of almost every civilised country. ■ We do not want a repetition of these things in Australasia, hence our warning note to those who would ride roughshod over the rights of the community. Peaceful progress must come about by sensible means, and the claim is marie that the proper means is for the useful members of the community to get together and work with this object in view. i

Adam did not create tho land, and any son of Adam has no right to hold land if by so doing ho is committing an injury to any other sons of Adam. As equal sons of the One Power which created the land we all have equal rights in the land. It is not advisable we should all be agriculturists in these days, but that is no reason why the man who is divorced from the land should have to pay for tho right to live to tho land monopolists. ■ THE HOUSEWIVES' UNION. The Housewives' Union is about tho livest one in Wellington from the indications at last Wednesday’s meeting. The interest has been growing at each meeting. To-night wiu be a meeting of exceptional interest as it will deal particularly with the reduction in the cost of living, which is one of the vital issues of tho day. . ■ A committee will report in full on tho results of their work as to special rates offered to the members by tho various dealers. .... All women interested in these matters are invited to attend the meeting, at the Trades Hall, to-night, at 7.30 p.m. Como and bring your triends with you and have a hand in making this the most powerful factor in the movement of organised labor in New Zealand, A lecture will be delivered this evening in the lecture hall of the Trades and Labor Council by Air J. B. Hobart on "Banking Keform.” The lecture will be under tue auspices of the' Wellington main branch of the United Labor Party. Members and intending members are cordially invited.