Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1902. CONTINENTAL LABOUR TROUBLES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7215, 24 July 1902, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1902. CONTINENTAL LABOUR TROUBLES.

Continental society is in a chronically disturbed state, owing to tho discontent of the workers ; and the demonstrations that occur from time to time (notably in Belgium), are of a far more serious character than those to which Englishspeaking communities have been accustomed. This is partly owing to the fact that the labour organisations arc not so thoughtfully planned as similar unions among our own people, and partly to the absence of a reserve of funds upon which to carry out a policy. But the principal cause of the acute discontent is to bo found in the political circumstances of the workers. They, observing the victories that have been won by their brethren hi Great Britain and the Colonies by constitutional means, arc exasperated by the contemplation of their own political impotency. A nation with a restricted franchise, with representative government only partially developed, cannot mako reforming advances sufficient to bring them into line with other communities; and the prospects for the future, so long as electoral rights arc denied to the toilers, are gloomy, indeed; for there arc active intellects and earnest hearts among them as well as thrifty and efficient workers ; and to deny them the most elementary right of citizens, is to drive them into the dangerous paths of destructive sentiment. It is the universal experience that men ultimately, if not at once, rise to fcho level of their responsibilities. It has been illustrated very fully in this Colony and in Ausitralia; and the stability of a nation is ! assured rather than threatened by an elevating policy, by lifting its politically down-trodden m:«se.i into the light of freedom. Unfortunately, in continental countries, the clerical clement always appears as a disturbing elemont, and prefers intriguing, for the attainment of political power, to making common cause with tho people. There are signs—thanks to a more enlightened policy and vigorous administration—that things arc righting themselves in France and Italy ; but in Belgium tho political situation is very complicated. Meanwhile tho evangel of an eight hours, system, and of improved conditions generally, has found its way into Continental industrial centres, and desires are kindled which no power will be able to extinguish, aud to the gratification of which the workers will wade through blood, and endure every torture and oppression that their rulers can do vise.