SOCIALIST ADDRESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14579, 19 July 1909, Page 8

SOCIALIST ADDRESS.

-s> __ At the ' weekly meeting o{ the Socialist parly, held in the Trades Hall last evening, Mr B, Ferguson delivered an adtlrets entitled, "Are we as a peoplo l)rcTre.«mg!",He stated that wo were toa apt to gauge progress entirely in the light ot pounds, shillings, and pence, and were inclined to overlook social and moral advancement, _ The lecturer contended that the three principal cause.? of a community's backward slate «bk intemperance, ganUil"ig, and social impurity, ho held that the rapid and growing inorease in ; the noliccnsc vote fully answered the question of progression, in the matter of intemperance. With regard to gambling, the recent legislative enactments inust bo regarded as ft reflex of public opinion, and'their \vho:c tendency was against betting m every form From his own nsi-soiral observation IID maintained that betting as a whole was decreasing. He deplored the fact that the Government licensed the totalisulor and took a percentage of the returns, but slated that he firmly believed that it would bo swept away before very long. Other cvi" theses of progression he cited wore tli3 restriction of obscene publications, amendments in the Factory Act in the direction of improved hygiene, fire escapes, sanitary conveniences, and a. minimum wage; a'so" the resumption of lands for closer settlement, employers' liability, and wages protection acts; also the Sfatc coal mine and State fire insurance. The last mentioned he claimed had resulted in a saving of thousands of pounds to the people of the Do.r.snion. He advocated a further extension of State and municipal enterprise in trading concerns. It was imnossi'Mto draw the line where State or municipal interference should cease. apt to advocate State activity in every ofcr line but the one they were personally interested ill. In conclusion, he thought that after an impartial review of the position it must, be admitted that we had made coiKioerahb progress. One of tlio mam features in' liis opinion was the woman's vote which, along with the influence of the churches, went a very long way ton-arris creating the moral condition which mils: form the base of all progressive legislation. The address was listened to throughout with close attention, and at, the conclusion an animated discussion took place.