A MEW ZEALANDER IN AMERICA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2278, 25 August 1908, Page 3

A MEW ZEALANDER IN AMERICA.

INTERVIEW WITH MR. W DOWNIE STEWART.

THE BOUNDLESS OPTIMISM OF AMERICANS.

[Special to “Times.”]

WELLINGTON, August 21

Mr. \Y. .Downio Stewart, of Dunedin, who lias just returned from a trip to America, gave an interesting interview to our correspondent hero to-dav. "My stay ill America,” lie said, "was so brief, only about six weeks, and the country is so vast that any general impressions of it are likely to be even more erroneous than those of tho numerous visitors to Now Zealand who sum up the country after n hasty run from Auckland to the Bluff. ‘ Most of my time was spent in Denver, which is olio of the worst in America as regards political graft and municipal corruption. The Democratic Convention was held there in the Auditorium, a vast hall holding 12,500 people. Many prominent citizens liul to secure admission by acting as attendants. 1 did not stay for the convention, as the prospects of obtaining admission were too romote and, in any case, tho nomination of Bryan and tho programme of the party was out-n:,id-dried beforehand. With reference to American politics generally, I found that while corruption is quite as bad as we have always been led to believe, yet the more thoughtful students of American politics now hold high hopes of a gradual betterment. They point to the fact that, ono by one, tho States are going through a process of exposure and -reform, and men who ten years ago lind given up all hope and interest in politics, now display a cheery optimism. As t 6 tho future in municipal politics, so many of tho cities have thrown away all attempt to control their public utilities that it is difficult for a public-spirited citizen to take any interest in his city’s welfare. In Denver all the public services, such as trams, lighting, telephones, etc., are in private hands. The political power which ilio possession of these services carry with it is appalling. Tho "boss” controls the appointment of all sorts of officials who, in theory, are appointed by the electors. One Judge told mo that his rejection at the next election was a foregone conclusion, as he had fallen foul of the public utilities corporation, and this Judge was a man whoso reputation has spread beyond America. Perhaps the best way to sum up one’s impressions of political life in America is to say that the great majority of tho magazine articles, read on the subject are substantially correct. Such was the summing up of tho situation given to me by a prominent professor of sociology in one of the universities, a man who was a friend of Roosevelt’s, and who has made a life-long study of American (politics. I met with great kindness everywhere, and was given the opportunity of meeting m my interesting men in politics and and in university life. Some of the most interesting men I met were Governor Buchtel, of Colorado, Professor Ately, the well-known writer on Economics, Professor Jonathan Commons, of. Wineonsin, who is regarded as the leading authority on labor problems, and numerous others. Thoy_ all displayed the keenest interest in New Zealand experiments, anti expressed the hope that we would go still further. They explain themselves in a manner similar to theatrical companies which always try their plays on small towns before playing in New York or Chicago. This process is called "trying it on the dog.” So with Socialism, they wish, to see it “tried on tho dog,” i.e., New Zealand, before going very far themselves. Talking of the universities reminds me that one is struck by the close intercourse between tho universities and general politics. In! America th« ivo" lessors are not recluses, preaching dry doctrines to students. They are in close touch with the legislatures, and if any order of taxation or regulation of monopolies or the like is before any State legislatures you will find that the main principles, of the Bill have often been suggested or drawn by some economist of standing who is well acquainted with the comparative legislation on the subject. The American Bureau of Labor obtains many of its most valuable reports from university students who spend their vacations in making special studies and reports for the Department. One thing which struck me as very encouraging was the large number of students at the universities who work their way through by their own efforts. I met some medical students, who work on the railways as conductors, or on farms, during the vacation, and who even, during the session, will board themselves by cutting firewood, cleaning boots, or doing the general work of the family with which they live. In fact, the independence and self-reliance of men in all classes of the community is ono of the most admirable national traits.” Asked about, the position of skilled labor Mr. Stewart remarked, “I should say, from enquiries I made, that the skilled laborer of Western America is better off as regards wages than the New Zealander. In Denver the 'wages of skilled artisans is considerably higher than in New Zealand. Of course the cost of living is somewhat higher, but not sufficiently so to neutralise the difference in wages by any means. As you go east the position of tho wage-earner becomes less favorable. I made- a very interesting stay at the Roycrofters in East America for a few days, and met Elbert Hubbart, Richard Legallieve, and other interesting people. Hubbart .expressed a strong desire to visit New Zealand. There are some extremely interesting attempts being made in the some of tho States to control the administration of natural monopolies, such as transport, electricity,- gas,' etc'., but it would require too mucli/letail to explain any of these at present. One of the greatest surprises to a New Zealander, both in Canada and the (States, is tho small size of the holdings. I had anticipated that in a country so vast one would have found small holdings to be the exception. The opposite, however, appears to ho the case. Any one with a "section (040 acres) is considered a large holder. Of course the explanation in many parts is climatic, namely, the necessity of sheltering stock _ in winter. The enormous energy which is building thousands of miles of railway each year in Canada, reaching out in all directions to develop the country, is most impressive, and the boundless optimism of Canadians and Americans as to the future of their countries is singularly refreshing.!’ Asked if he would be a candidate at the next election, Mr. Stcivart replied, “As to New Zealand politics I ant not yet fully posted in the doings of t(ie last month or so. The election is a good way off yet, and I have made'absolutely no plans as yet. [ cannot make any plans till I reach Dunedin. The statement made on Friday by Mr. Reardon that I have been in 'communication, with the Labor party is very ambiguous. If ho thinks that I have been seeking their support it is wholly incorrect, ami Mr. Reardon must have been misinformed. I have the good fortune to he on terms ol intimate friendship with some of the Labor leaders. I find the study of the present position and future prospects of the Labor party one of absorbing interest, and I am in hearty accordance with some of tlie reforms they aim at. At the same time I could not adopt tlie present platform of the Political Labor League, and still less could I subscribe to its constitution and pledge. I fully recognise the strong reasons advanced by the Political Labor League in support of such constitution, namely, the tact that without it they are merely, made use of by professional politicians as a stepping ladder, and that they have been'too often betrayed by the.man who is “as good as a labor man.” Nevertheless, I am fully persuaded that whatever evils may attach to the principle of "men, not measures, they .are insignificant compared to the porpetual fiascos which inevitably result from too strict nn adherence to the principle of “meas-

Hires, not men.” The present internal differences in what should be a united Labor party are a striking instance of this, and until they are prepared to trust more in their leaders ami less in their platform I find it difficult to see prospects of political or social progress for tho Labor party.