Poverty to Plenty.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 222, 15 November 1888, Page 3

Poverty to Plenty.

The London correspondent of the New Zia land Herald writes with reference to “ From Poverty to Plenty” Mr W. L. Rees, miynum opus has just seen the light. The labor ?uestion is solved if his theories are sound. n a book of nearly 500 pages he seeks to expose the errors he believes he has discovered in the accepted systems of political eoooomy, and the remedies essential to secure the happiness of the people aod elevate them from “ poverty to plenty.” The book is dedicated to Sir George Grey, who is affectionately described as “ a groat statesman, profound thinker, and sincere philanthropist,” to whom every effort made for the happiness of mon, especially mon of his own race, is an effort in a sacred cause, In bis preface Mr Rees expresses regret that the rules of the Trades and Labour Congress of Great Britain prevented his appearing before them as the delegate of the New Zealand Trades and Labour Congress. He warns them that they are ’mistaken in looking tc politics and political powers as the Source from which safety and comfort will be derived by their class. Their only hope, he declares, lies not in politics, but in economics. He advises them to approach the co-operative bocjios with 8 view to the production bf fresh v/ealth, Let them become their own misstep, Qnd in drawing forth the treasures of Nature for their own subsistence qnd enjoyment, they wcmlfi take the first step in march towards the final triumph of labour. Neither time nor space peimit me to enlarge upon the scope of this work, The general drift of the views expressed is no doubt familiar to many New Zealanders. Mr Rees does not hesitate to describe political economy, as at present taught, as “ a huge collection of files principles, inhuman maxima, and’ deplorable results. ” Ho criticises Mr Henry George’s work, Progress -and Poverty,” somawlpt severely, but, at the eanje time, acknowledges that he received more assignee from George's investigations than from any oilier book upon Mrßee-3 blamsa the leaders of tn® nrllish raoa for letting the people starve when national greatness and prosperity are within their roach. He thinks it disgraceful that the colonies should languish for men and money, while England groans kenoath the burden of superabundant mopulation and wealth. The book is certain to receive thoughtful consideration, and it appears in an opportune time, when men are eagerly searching for a solution of the very problem which it professes to have solved.