Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1919-12-10
The LABOR PAR II TIES
ny walter Thomas Mills, u. A., Author
Of Democracy or Dsspotism. s& @
(Note: This is one Of series Of seven
historical articles on the Labor parties.)
'vI-THEIR Achievement WHEN
@ IN OFFICE.

b With the proper forms of organiza-
ton, with wisely chosen candidates,
with. effective campaigns for their
election. with the caucus system for
insuring fidelity and efficiency, with
the benefits of mutual counsel among
public officials who are made respon-
sible for administering public affairs
under the control Of Labor parties, it
is reasonable to expect definite and
satisfactory achievements.
~ Where Labor parties have been so
organized and so managed, this ex-
pectation has not been disappointed.
Labor Parties Put to Test.
So far there is only one instance of
Labor party having been in sufficient
control of any government for suf-
fciently long time to realize the ad-
vantages of a Labor party.
In New Zealand in 1891 the Labor
party combined with the Progressive
Liberals and got complete control of
the New Zealand government. While
all of the members of parliament were
senior members of the firm of part
~.
For 10 years, or until 1901, this Labor
party was able to control the legisla-
ton and the administration of the
public affairs Of that country.
During these 10 years, under the
leadership of the labor unions or with
their cordial approval after full con-
sultation, there was established Won
ans suffrage, political equality in mu-
nicipal elections, the graduated land
tax, the resumption Of state owner
ship of large estates and the breaking
up of these estates for closer settle
''cent, tie arbitration Of Industrial dis
putes, government loans to farmers
and to wage-workers, the caucus, old
age pensions, government ownership
of coal mines and state fire Insurance.
There had been a number of pro-
gressive measures adopted, involving
the eight-hour day the public own
ership of the railways, wharves and
harbors, at an earlier day. These
measures were given a more sympa-
thetic administration and with more
satisfactory results under the Labor
party than had been possible before.
The Tories are again in control of
that country. but they have been I'M
able to repeal any Of these measures.
They have done great injury by half
hearted or antagonistic administration
of them. They are doomed to go out
Of office for this very reason in the
next election. But no group of peO-
pie strong enough to think of control
ling the government can be found in
that country who would consent to
the repeal Of any of these measures.
A Record Never EquaIed Anywhere.
Here are some of the results: Dur
ing that same 10 years there was not
a single strike in all New Zealand.
The population increased 20 per cent,
the miles of railways IA per cent, I'M
improved land values II per cent, the
occupied lands "a per cent, the cult
waited lands SIS per cent, production of
gold 100 per cent, receipts from rail
ways ID per cent, the number Of cat
tie As per cent, imports As per cent,
exports Is per cent and improvements
on the land 50 per cent. And all this
during the '90s, the very years when
all the world besides was struggling