New Australia.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 131, 4 April 1894, Page 3

New Australia.

A Few Comments.

In the fa/ce of the continued opposition and conflicting Deports which appear almost daily in the press anent the New Australian fad, Mr McNaugt has set himsvJf a most difficult task in still advocating the interests of bhe Association. The emancipation of the working-classes from slavery, or, veiled under a more emphonious phrase, the “ Brotherhood of Men,” is no new assertion o» condition of filings, and one finds it indeed difficult to advance new theories. The subject of the well-being of humanity as a whole has been handled "And thrashed out years ago by clover and far-seeing men, and innumerable books, setting forth their ideas ami prophecies have been published, continue to be pubJsshod, and will ever be published, until the desired object has been obtained. But the worldngckisses are slow to recognise any principle or principles in their favor. In other wends the principles of Socialism, or the true brotherhood of man, cannot yet be aocepted by the majority of mankind, and is consequently premature. Man is a selfish bring, ever fighting to advance his own individual interests, and his individuality, in spite of socialistic influence, will manifest itself whoro it can. There is ono continued cry against the; capitalist or “ fat ” man, I and vile epithets are incossently cast against him by the working-el;: ises. But who can bo blamed ? None o her than the workingman himself, lie is his own enemy. Ever ready to recognise a socialistic fad, but never willing to act on it. Waiting for some one else of a more energetic, independent, and determined nature to feather the nest before he enters it. Yet men of grit can be found to pioneer the movement, and the work already done by the New' Australian Assembly speaks for itself. No doubt Lane is genuine in his actions and motives, and it is the height of his ambition co see his scheme successfully carried out; but barriers will arise, individualism will assort itself, turbulent spirits will create an upheaval, and the whole affair will be injured and abused. Nothing but sticking gaimly to the helm, and cautiously piloting the ship through the storm, will convince humanity that the cause they are struggling for is the only true solution to the unequal state of things existing. Once the front rank gives way, the rear is sum* to follow its example, and confusion and defeat will be inevitable. Then, in aftertimes, it the emancipation of the masses should ever be attempted again, failures in the past, instead of acting as a guide and an incentive future to efforts, willbequoted and hurled against the principles and leaders of the movement. There is no doubt, that what Mr McNaught says is logical and g >od intending, being based, as it is, on the wisdom and well considered thoughts of philanthropists of past and present. No doubt the principles, mainly, are practicable, but there is not that unanimity of opinion amongst the masses to oarry them oot. Competition is the giant evil that affects us now a days, and it will become keener and more felt now that labour-saving machinery is surely sup- j planting hand labour. But a new ; condition of things will eventuate. Man must live, and when finally driven at bay, and unable to get a living honostly, will resort to more drastic ‘measures—probably revolution —in order to bring about a change. Socialism opens the door to peaceful actions, hut anarchism goes further, and, by the cowardly use of explosives ; and main force—ex'en revolution—i insists upon an inversion of existing evils. But when capitalists in the colonies are attacked and told to their l face that they are robbers, murderers, j and sweaters, the matter becomes ! serious. The capitalists in the colonies ! are few indeed, and the trouble with us • abtains with the usurers at Home, who I are ever ready to draw the last drops of j our life’s blood. These English “ fat” | men are the evil doers, and their well- 1 filled purses can sway a colony to and, fro at will. We cannot embrace shop keepers, tradesmen, and otheri in the i saiuo category as these “ fat ” men, for j many of the former are in the banks ! ; and private usurers, and, like drown- ! I ing persons struggling to keep afloat. But to the New Australian scheme, j The principles are good, yet drastic

and hard to abide bv, until a people become accustomed to them. They i advocate a higher state of civilization. | and their udaption, in time to come, I must of necessity revolutionize the 1 world, both morally and financially. All of us wish the movement success. It is but an experiment, watched curiously by the eyes of the world, and ready to be adapted elsewhere as soon as convincing proof is shown. Lane has acted wisely in expelling dissenters or turbulent spirits, at the onset, and of course, the latter are bound to show their enmity and distrust in their late leaders, and prove their venomous pangs whero they can. But there is an objection to the locality decided upon by the leaders of the movement. Why select an isolated spot in South America? Could they have not looked closer home ? What guarantee has Lane that tho Uruguayian and Argentine Governments will not impose in the future heavy and restrictive duties on all the ex- [ ports from the commonwealth settlement when passing through their territories ? Then, there is another question, of vital importance, and that is : Can the l’araguayian Government or its successive Governments be trustod. The half-a million acres are given under certain conditions, the principal one being the cultivation of the land. Buildings, perhaps costly and magnificent, may be erected, and the now prarie converted intoa wealthy and productive district. What if extortionate taxes should be demanded by the Paraguayian Government ? They must be paid, and on demand, too. Or what might the alternative be ?—Compulsory explusion. Who would gain ? The Government, to be sure. All the valuable property would be confiscated, and afterwards [ benefit the Paraguayian people. It would be useless to appeal to the British flag tho flag they now despise for protection ; and the chances are that the New Australians now in Paraguay will—if not already —become naturalised, and swear allegiance to the Paraguayian flag. I have a faint idea, too, that all children born in the Republic of foreign parents are claimed us Paraguayian subjects, and compelled to fight for the country in the time of war. In conclusion, I feel for Mr McNaught in his present position, as ho has to uphold Ihe movement while condemnatory reports from tho settlement continue to reach our ears. The gentleman is also not up to date in facts respecting tlie settlement, and people are canny to believe mere assertion

PONEKE, Wellington, April 3rd, 1891.