Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1914-06-04

close to their daily work. They would
soon lose their socialistic inclina-
TONS" And the liberal prime minister
of the commonwealth, Joseph Cook.
remarked: The pictures drawn OF
socialism would be beautiful il it were
not for the black blotches on them.
Against that kind of socialism the
liberals are united" These express
sions of opinion from persons of wide
ly divergent political beliefs show the
existence of socialistic sentiment in
all parties in Australia. Between them
it is merely a question OF degree.
1t is curious paradox that the So
called anti-socialists of the liberal
party have enacted as much socialis-
tic legislation. laws directly opposed
to individualism, as the avowedly So
cialistic section Of the Labor party
when In control Names do not
brighten the Australian. He is rather
concerned as to results.
individual Initiative Lays.
And what are the results? General
ization is dangerous. Certain results.
however, are apparent. The working
day of long hours is passing away.
There is less work and more play In
Australia than In any other civilized
country. Private capital which finds
better returns elsewhere does not rush
to the island-continent. Individual
initiative is not so keen. The average
Australian leans against the wall or
the fence or the lamp post. In ma
terial affairs he leans en- the govern
ment. The chief end of life to him
! is not business, but the chief end OF
business is life. Governments are in
stituted among men. according to his
view. not to preserve order and per-
NIT individual effort, but to give high
rates of wages and establish holidays.
| There is much idealism in the grow.
ing socialism Of Australia but more
materialism. 1t aims at larger leisure
and greater pleasure.
Play First, Then Work.
will you describe the Australian
as developing under your moderate So
cialism?" l asked distinguished CO.
lonial author. an what respect does
he differ from his conservative Brit.
ish ancestors"
Il will not do that" was the reply,
but l will tell you a story. An Eng.
hshman, discussing Australia, told OF
a young official in his business house
who was efficient and ambitious. This
Official aspired to be the head Of the
firm one day and allowed no other
idea to engage his thoughts. II
CHANGED that he was sent to Sydney
Australia, to a position Of RESPONSE
bility for his firm. He returned after
FIVE years. His outlook on life had
entirely changed. AS regards work
he was as efficient. as quick, as re
liable But his chief ideal now was to
enjoy life; the headship of the firm
took second place to that. He had
acquired the Australian viewpoint"
The story illustrates the Aus
tralian's attitude toward work and
play-play first And, under even
moderate socialism, the tendency
among Australians Is to let the gov
eminent do all the work-we1l 60
play. He seeks socialism in our time
with, the hope and fond expectation
that It will relieve from the worry and
work of managing his own affairs. The
anti-socialists insist that with social
ism in full measure attained In Aus
tralia. the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
and citizen-win have no affairs tc
manage.
Copyright 1914, by Joseph B. Bowles.,