Laws and Socialism.—Taking an active and responsible part in the management of na tional affairs has a moderating effect upon most politicians, and to a large degree they have recognized the responsibility of office and en deavored to safeguard the country's interest.
The voice of the people can be made fully known through the ballot-box. The judgment of the public may not always be considered the wisest for the country's advancement, but when the error is discovered the same power that caused it can apply the remedy. The Austra lian Commonwealth franchise is the broadest and most liberal possible. Everyone over the age of 21 (except criminals and lunatics) has the right to vote. In some of the state elections as we I, women have the privilege. There were many strongly opposed to woman's franchise. All the arguments about taking her from her home, destroying her womanly instincts, cans ing her to neglect her proper duties, etc., were indulged in. After the law was passed how ever, those who previously opposed it quickly realized (especially if they were parliamentary candidates) that woman was highly intelligent and that it was her duty in the interest of the country to vote.
Australia's socialism has grown with her people. It has not meant the destruction of private property. The state railways, harbors, waterworks, telegraphs, telephones, wharves, exporting departments, public schools, and other undertakings, have naturally followed one after the other, and have not been a hardship to the capitalists, but have rather been the means of allowing them to invest their money in other undertakings and thereby assist in opening up the pastoral, agricultural and mining industries.
Many of Australia's laws have been passed on the belief that the government could under take certain things for the assistance of the people at less expense than this assistance could be carried out privately. National credit, as a rule, is much better than individual credit. Money can be borrowed by the state and lent to producers on better terms than it can be bor rowed by private people for that purpose. Under certain laws the well-to-do pastoralists, as well as the poorer producer, can be assisted.
It is necessary to understand Australian life to realize the need for assistance to pastoralists. The governments own most of the lands; hun dreds of miles of which are let on lease to pastoralists. Wire netting has been found to be the most effective means of protecting the sheep from wild dogs, and of keeping the rab bits down. For the lessee on his own account to undertake to fence his leasehold would mean an expense which would be a heavy burden upon him, and prevent the use of his capital for other improvements; so by combining with adjoining lessees they form a vermin trust, and apply to the government for miles of wire netting; this is supplied upon the joint security of the lessees and they repay the government, with interest, in instalments extending over a number of years. Large sums have been lent in this way, but little if any loss has oc curred and it has been the means of stocking much land that would otherwise have remained idle. The governments also assist the farmers by loans from state banks at low interest, a long term of years being allowed for repay ments. Blockers, who only have a few acres, are also assisted, and under certain conditions they borrow from the government to help build their houses and carry out other improvements. All these loans are only granted on business principles, after the officers of the land depart ments have made full inquiries as to necessary security. The governments also largely assist in exporting produce and finding outside markets. This business is conducted on com mercial lines, certain charges being made for the storage, freezing and work done. If the producer is in need of ready money before his goods are disposed of an advance is made by the government. All this may be considered socialistic; however upon a moment's reflection it will be seen that it is only an assistance to further stimulate individual enterprise and effort. It has carried many a struggling pro ducer over early years of hardship, and prob ably saved his property for his family when under other circumstances it might have gone into the hands of the mortgagee.