THE
SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION.
OBJECT.
The Establishment of a Free Condition of Society based on the principle of Political Equality, with Equal Social Rights for all and the complete Emancipation of Labour.
PROGRAMME.
1.All Officers or Administrators to be elected by Equal Direct Adult Suffrage, and to be paid by the Community.
2.Legislation by the People, in such wise that no project of Law shall become legally binding till accepted by the Majority of the People.
3.The Abolition of a Standing Army, and the Establishment of a National Citizen Force; the People to decide on Peace or War.
4.All Education, higher no less than elementary, to be Free, Compulsory, Secular, and Industrial for all alike.
5.The Administration of Justice to be Free and Gratuitous for all Members of Society.
6.The Land with all the Mines, Railways and other Means of Transit, to be declared and treated as Collective or Common Property.
7.Ireland and all other parts of the Empire to have Legislative Independence.
8.The Production of Wealth to be regulated by Society in the common interest of all its Members.
9.The Means of Production, Distribution and Exchange to be declared and treated as Collective or Common Property.
As measures called for to palliate the evils of our existing society the Social-Democratic Federation urges for immediate adoption :—
The Compulsory Construction of healthy artizan’s and agricultural labourers’ dwellings in proportion to the population, such dwellings to be let at rents to cover the cost of construction and maintenance alone.
Free Compulsory Education for all classes, together with the provision of at least one wholesome meal a day in each school.
Eight Hours or less to be the normal working day in all trades. Cumulative Taxation upon all incomes above a fixed minimum not exceeding ₤300 a year.
State Appropriation of Railways, with or without compensation.
The establishment of National Banks, which shall absorb all private institutions that derive a profit from operations in money or credit.
Rapid Extinction of the National Debt.
Nationalisation of the Land, and organisation of agricultural and industrial armies under State control on Co-operative principles.
As means for the peaceable attainment of these objects the SocialDemocratic Federation advocates:
Adult Suffrage. Annual Parliaments. Proportional Representation. Payment of Members; and Official Expenses of Election out of the Rates. Abolition of the House of Lords and all Hereditary Authorities. Disestablishment and Disendowment of all State Churches.
Membership of Branches of the Federation is open to all who agree with its objects, and subscribe One Penny per week.
Those ready to form Branches should communicate with the
Secretary, Social Democratic Federation, Bridge House, Blackfriars, E.C.
