Letters to Editor June 15, 1895

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE JUNE 15, 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.

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

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L.O. - Have written you.

J.H.C. - Received with thanks. Advice noted.

“MERRIE ENGLAND” sent to R. J. Troy, S. Tait, Thomas Bridge, C. Neill,

Mrs. Kingsbury, W. Kewley.

B 12. - Your letter complaining of a certain boiling down company working their employ'es unnecessarily on Sunday noted.

J.T. - The last verse:

This is the first time in my life

I've sat down rhyme to make,

And I hope you will forgive me

If I've made a small mistake,

Forgive you! Yes; on the condition that your first shall be your last.

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Ed. WORKER – Travelling on the Mackay railway I saw a squad of kanakas on board the train- 8 for Bolton, 2 for Vines, and 17 for North Eton. Some of the islanders, I am sure, were not more than 12 years of age. - PLATO.

Ed. WORKER – It would be interesting to know if a certain £400-a-year parasite under Tommy Byrnes ever does any work. During the Browne v. Cowley case he beat a hardened track from the Supreme Court to Lennon's. - GALLERT.

ED. WORKER – Re the movement to establish a co-operative boot factory, I suggest that all sympathisers forward the price of a pair of boots to the secretary of the Boot Trade Union, Trades Hall, Brisbane. This will give the factory a good start. - HODGE, South Toolburra.

ED. WORKER - “Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first strike with blindness.” If we look around, what do we see? A wandering horde of men travelling the country half starved, ill clad, and almost shoeless, weakened in health by exposure, and weakened in morale by a life of itinerant mendacity. In the back blocks of Queensland, in New South Wales, on the Cooper, the darling and the Murray they congregate, swarming in thousands, vainly seeking that employment which is not. Is there no danger? Have the governments so much reliance on their gatling guns and their brute force that they have nothing to fear. - C. BUTCHER, Mount Grainger goldfield, Dawson, S.A.

Ed. WORKER – Now that we are fast approaching the time for a general election, I think the time has arrived when by voice and pen the necessity of placing names on the electoral roll should be urged on all those who, either through carelessness or want of complying with the conditions of present Electoral Act, have not their names on the roll. I know several men who are fully qualified to have their names on the electoral roll, and could have their names on by just applying, but do not consider it worth while to do so. It is a very sad state of things when men act in this fashion. I have written more than once on the necessity for an occasional lecture in the out-of-the-way places in order to keep the benefits to be derived from unionism fresh in people's minds, and I am still convinced that there can be infinitely more good done by instructing workers when assembled in numbers than when spoken to individually. - HARRY COYNE.