§ 7

The Mayor or Lord Mayor is elected from any class; preferably he is not a tradesman, but a man of wide learning and experience, hence he is not prejudiced in favour of any trade or profession. Lawyers are not eligible as Mayors, nor is it thought desirable that so dignified an office should be held by auctioneers or house agents. Indeed, the further the chief officer of the Commune is removed from temptations of class jobbery, the better is the service he renders to the community at large.

Prices of bread, meat and milk, the three absolute necessities, are regulated by the commune. They vary as little as possible, and being essential to the carrying on of life, fortunes are not made from their sale. The law at the root of this wise decision is the result of the profiteering of tradesmen during the late war, which became so serious a scandal that the people suffering from it endeavoured to make it impossible to be repeated.

The Council does its work in the capital of each county, but the smaller cities, townships and villages are permitted to act independently, as their several interests demand, so long as in the main features of policy they subscribe to the intention the Chief Council has in view. Once a year the heads of each country department meet in the capital and make their reports. The Conference lasts for one week, and is the occasion of a general holiday. The Conference is open to all comers, who, while it sits, have an opportunity of expressing their opinion upon questions of public interest. This system seems to be working well; the discontented can air their discontent and the contented their approval. It works well, because all discussion is open, none taking place under closed doors; that fact alone is conducive to confidence, by implying it and receiving it. Where there is honesty there is no need for secrecy. “Do nothing with closed doors,” said M. Aurelius. The whole system of government is in the best sense Socialistic, as opposed to Individualistic the mark of the Radical. “Every man out for himself” is a destructive policy. While this form of Socialism makes for order, it does not discourage individual enterprise. Opinions may be stated under a reasonable check by minds skilled in government, which, being open to new ideas as long as they are proved to promote public good, learn by listening.