520 STUDIES, SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIAL CH. xxvm 



employers, while only a small minority could possibly 

 become employers, the greatest incentive would exist 

 towards the voluntary association of workers for their 

 common good, thus leading by a gradual transition to 

 various forms of co-operation adapted to the conditions 

 of each case. With^ such equality of education and 

 endowment none would consent to engage in unhealthy 

 occupations which were not absolutely necessary for the 

 well-being of the community, and when such work was 

 necessary they would see that every possible precautions 

 were taken against injury. All the most difficult 

 labour-problems of our day would thus receive an easy 

 solution. 



I submit, therefore, that the adoption of the principle 

 of Equality of Opportunity as our guide in all future 

 legislation, should be acceptable to every social reformer 

 who believes in the supremacy of Justice. To the 

 individualist it would mean the fullest application of 

 his principle of individual freedom limited only by the 

 like freedom of others, since this principle is a mere 

 mockery under the present negation of fair and equal 

 conditions to the bulk of the citizens of all civilized 

 states. And it should be equally acceptable to the 

 socialist, because the greatest obstacle to his teachings 

 would be removed by the abolition of ignorance and of 

 that grinding poverty and want which leaves no time 

 or energy for any struggle but that for bare existence. 

 Equality of Opportunity, founded as it is upon simple 

 Justice between man and man, is therefore well fitted to 

 become the watchword of the social reformers of the 

 Twentieth Century. 



