§ 3

There are pleasant places for refreshment, games, and the like, but, as far as I can see, they are not abused. Time is too fully occupied by duty and absorbing labour of craftsmanship to admit of drunkenness. I see none of that which was so killing a vice when men’s hours of leisure were poisoned by inertia. Now they do not want to drink; they are keen, not listless men. They are too busy to grumble, too happy to listen to agitators, who, if they began again to sow discontent, would be met by corporal punishment, so determined is this new race of workmen to be Free! What is the government under which this new City prospers? It is Home Rule! Each county governs itself! Imperial Parliament has no power to control their liberty. London is the seat of Imperial Parliament, which is represented by one member from each county, selected as a wise and educated man by the Communes which represent their inhabitants; but they cannot hold their office for more than five years. Imperial Parliament is confined to Foreign affairs of State, having in it a representative from each of our Colonies. Imperial Parliament, of which the King is Prime Minister, is composed of learned and efficient citizens who are Privy Councillors, not because they are rich men (for the party chest and the jobbery it caused is a thing of the past), but because they are wise and learned. It meets at stated times which are subject to emergency. The King and his closest Ministers have the power to call it together. London is subject to the same rule as the counties; but London is no longer the centralised authority—she rules herself, but as yet this huge monster is chaotic. Being heavily populated, although the population of it has largely decreased owing to the abolition of slums, and a larger proportion of it than hitherto being under cultivation, Greater London is broken up, into Boroughs, which have powers of local Government, carried on by better educated men than heretofore. Their councils, composed exactly as those of the Counties, are represented by reliable men who are above profiteering. Each important trade is represented by one representative; this rule prevents any trade from working its own interests to the damage of another. Lawyers are used for reference, but are not allowed to initiate. Lessons from the past have taught that the legal mind is a zig-zag puzzle. Imperial Parliament has done away with Free Trade, except with British Colonies, which pay no entrance fee to our coasts.

Each Commune guards itself and people from excessive taxation, and wisely, because heavy taxation is a clog in the wheel of production, for not unnaturally industry is averse to giving a large portion of the results of labour to bolster up the extravagance and want of foresight committed by Party Politicians who, after all, are, far more eager for the success of that miserable little idol, “Party,” than for the higher welfare of the people they are supposed to govern. Party Politics reflect the worst sides of Tory as well as Radical government. It is now accepted that excessive taxation is against the first principles of political economy. Care is taken that taxes shall be borne mostly by those who can best bear them. Trade is more taxed than Professions.