Letters to Editor June 8, 1895.

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE JUNE 8, 1895.

Mail Bag.

WANTED – (to prepare way for Socialism in our time).

One Adult One Vote.

Land tax.

Income tax.

State bank.

Shops and Factories Act.

Eight hours day where practicable.

Referendum and Initiative.

Taxation of every person according to ability to pay.

The State to find work for unemployed.

The State to fix a minimum wage.

Free Railways. Free administration of Justice.

The WORKER does not hold itself responsible for the opinions of its correspondents.

ANON – Next Week.

SCRUTATOR – Too lengthy.

COSMOPOLITAN – YOU need not send your name and address.

ONNHOONOSE – Thanks for papers. Angus Gibson letter held over.

C., New Plymouth – Obliged, Queensland will no doubt have a Government Life Insurance Department before many years have passed.

JAN, BREEN – Some time ago a copy of “Merrie England” was forwarded, addressed “A.W.U. Charleville.” Am writing you same address.

ED. WORKER – Civilised communities are at present divide into two camps, one struggling to retain the old savage law the survival of the fittest, the other striving to bring society into a state – in accordance with the upward tendency of evolution – in which every unit of the people will have an equal chance to climb upwards to that perfection which natural law gives to all who obey her behests. Those who are working in the latter cause may well be hopeful when they reflect on the fate of every opponent of natural law or of those who would try to block evolution; their fate is sure annihilation. Politics are the only available tools to work with, and therefore every unit of the people should be trained in their use. - J. D. S.

ED. WORKER – Just a few lines to let you know how things are moving. We had Mr. A. Ogden, the Labour member for Townsville, here at Mackay last week. He addressed six meetings during the week, and was well received everywhere he went. He addressed a large audience in the School of Arts, Mackay, on Monday night, May 13; at Walkerston on Tuesday night; at Mirani on Wednesday night; at Homebush on Thursday night; at Eton on Friday night; and a large open-air meeting in Mackay again on Saturday night. He made a great impression throughout the district, and was greatly applauded in Mackay on Saturday night. I think there is every prospect of winning both these seats. We expect Mr. Wilkinson here shortly, and probably Mr. Fisher. There are several people here anxiously looking forward to Mr. Wilkinson son's arrival. - J. MENTON, Mackay.

ED. WORKER – Probably you have heard of the new company which has been formed lately for growing coffee and other tropical produce. No doubt there is an opening in Queensland, but the principle the company in going to work their system on calls for comments. I have been told, on very good authority, that the labour employed will be on the Kanaka system, or paying by results only. This means that an average workman cannot earn more than about 4s. a day; and he has to keep himself and his family on these truly magnificent wages!! Now, Mr. Editor, the fact is well known that, with our present hard times, some people will be only too glad to jump at this; but I ask, is common fairness, what will be the good of inducing people to go there under what I may be allowed to term, at the present time at any rate, false pretences? DELTA.

ED. WORKER – Notwithstanding what Mr. Tozer told the deputation who waited upon him yesterday - “that these notices were for no political ends” - I still hold the reveres opinion, and I will mention why: I have had a vote in the Toowong electorate ever since I have been living here, which is ten or twelve years. But last election time Mr. Bowden (Mr. Unmack's agent, or, at least, said he was) met me, and asked me for my vote. I said “No; I would give Mr. M. Reid a show this time by voting for him.” Mr. Unmack, previous to this, used to recognise me in the streets, but since then he passes me with disdain. “My troubles.” A month or so ago I received one of these said papers. I went to Mr. Tonester, J. P., about signing the form for reinstating my vote. He said he thought he was not justified in signing it as he was a J.P. for Enoggera. I then in the afternoon went to the police office, and after a good deal of trouble and humbug some high-born swell, after a good deal of questioning condescended to sign it. Anyway, summing it all up I lost a day through it. - W. H. SPODE, Bayswater Milton, June 4, '95.