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Observer, Volume XL, Issue 7, 18 October 1919, Page 3

While an immediate influx of the fair sex into the ranks of our legislators is not to be expected, it is never safe to prognosticate unless one knows, and once a breach is made in the wall, it may rapidly widen. Considering the conservation of the past, it might be conjectured that in such an event tho reasons would be pressing and sound, and the result the desired one.—Greymouth "Argus."

The state of unstable equilibrium which is the present day system* of capitalism miist tend towards -some form of stability. As the present trust and combine method of that tendency operates to the detriment of the great. majority, the only remedy seems to be the. regulation of industry through State monopoly.— (Jreymouth "Argus."

Messrs. Semple, Holland and Fraser have a great deal to .say about freedom and independence. "What freedom or independence would there be for the worker under their Socialistic; system ? Would life be worth living under such conditions?' To the extent of the money in his poc"ket, a trades unionist is free and independent, but without his wages he would have neither money in his pocket nor personal .independence. He would not have the right to select his own clothing, or choose his own food, or determine either his place of residence or the choice of his wife. Even his. children would be taken from him and made the care of the State. These are the lines on which the Bolshevists, in an orgy of violence and bloodshed, are endeavouring to reconstitute Russian ■society. Do we want this sort of thing in New Zealand? Do the trades unionists want it? 'The present hour is the psychological moment for the determination of this question. In a few weeks, the general election will be upon us. Already, the Socialist gentlemen who cherish these visionary schemes and aspirations have secured control of the Labour political machine; they are nominating candidates ; and they are looking to the great body of organised Labour in this country to support them in their campaign. Is sane Labour prepared to follow siu(h leadership 'in the search for a Utopia that would prove as unprofitable as it would be disappointing? Are they prepared to spend their lives in a dull, drab level of equality that would deny them the right to improve their state /alnd make progress in comfort and means in proportion to their ability? . Are they prepared to sacrifice the substance of'present achievement and future prospect for the illusionary shadow of. existence under a Socialistic despotism that woiiifl be as slavish as it would eventually become intolerable.-—Welli n gtori ' 'Times.''