Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-01-18
THE LABOR MOVEMENT IN
AUSTRALIA.


They are agitating and moving ahead
on the latest of continents. The Austria
liam Socialist League is forcing the light |
into the dark corners of Labor's brain,
and the result is apparent in growing
organization Of Labors forces, not for
mere defensive purposes through strikes
and other clumsy Devices but for attack
upon political lines, 1t is suggestive
fact, yet never suggested here by the
advocates of the Australian system of
voting, that in spite of this system the
working classes of Australia are no
more advanced and no more free, eco
nomically and politically, than they are
in any other country. Now, however,
the Socialists are stirring them to action
and the hope is entertained that the
wage-earners will soon make a good use
Of that powerful tool-the ballot box.
'In 10 way can the interests of the
trade, the union, or the workingmen be
80 much advanced as by the election of
labor candidates to Parliament" OBJ
serves the Sydney Trades and Ldbour
Advocate. Look at the enormous sums
of money that have been spent in up
holding the principles of the differenr
unions, whereas n quarter-aye, five pet
cent.-spent in returning labor candi-
dates would have secured the eight.
hours boon, factory act, etc, by direct
means, instead of the roundabout, cum
bersome, and irritating method of war
fare known as a strike.
Again we quote:
"'Sir John Lubbocks Compulsory
Halfholday Bill is a wel-intended meas
ure,' says capitalist bamboozler of the
London press, but / should be very
sorry to see it pass into law. 1t means at
best the tyranny Of the majority, and |
as q unit in a large household know
only too well what that means. The
matter rests more with the employees
than with the legislature. II all shop
assistants were to combine in one gigan-
&c union they would be able to dictate
.Neir hours Of labor without the aid Of
Acts. If the spirit of cooperation is
dead within them then they must suffer
for their want Of animation The cap
italists and their organs are all alike in
their efforts to bambooZle the working
classes. Legislation is the only direct
means of securing reforms such as that
brought forward by Sir John Lubbock
in the House of Commons. Trades
unionism is grand factor, but while
we have such spirited, selfish,
craven hearted crowd of blackleg nom
unionists knocking about in our cities,
the efforts of trades unionists are
sorely handicapped, and therefore the
Legislature becomes the only direct ap-
proach to emancipation.
Our files from Australia show that
Bellamy's book and the Nationalist
movement were still practically un.
known there as late rs the end of Novem.
Der, at least among the wage earners.
The first announcement in this relation
was made as follows in the above named
organ of Sydney's labor interests, under
date of Nov. %:
"An American author, Mr.. Edward
Bellamy. has written remarkable book
called Looking Backward" which is
said to be selling in the United States
more rapidly than any other volume
since Uncle Toms Cabin The novel
deals with the labor question, and de-
picts sort of social millennium; and has
created such profound impression in
most of the large cities of the States that
associations have been formed termed
Nationalist Clubs to educate the pub
lie on the lines laid down in Looking
Backward and, if possible, to bring
about realization of Mr.. Bellamy's
ideal. In connection with the Boston
Club a publishing company has been
formed, which brings out monthly
periodical termed the Nationalist, and
issues vast quantity of tracts adapted
for propagandist work. 1t is contended
by these associations that the principle
of competition is simply the application
of the brutal law of the survival of the
strongest and most cunning;' and that
so long as competition continues to be
the ruling factor in our industrial system,
the highest development of the individ-
ual cannot be reached and the Hottest
aims of humanity cannot be realized
We shall watch with great interest
the sale of Bella ny's book IN Australia
and its consequent effects upon the
movement of thought in that part Of
the world.