MR. KEIR HARDIE, M.P.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 26, 25 October 1907, Page 2

MR. KEIR HARDIE, M.P.

COLD-SHOULDERED, BY THE-SHOP-: KEEPERS'/'ASSOCIATION. ; , - - "AN ANGEL OF REVOLUTION." ; In. referring to .the visit of: Mr. Keir-Haryi; die, M.P., to .-Wellington, the President; of > tlio Now Zealand Shopkeepers', ;Association;;-,! (Mr. 'H. ( Seaton) explained that it was not a.;matter . that,, concerned.vthem. .much;, but.:! being' affiliated-',to tho: Employers'- .Association tliey had been;.asked by. circular, to express,,-; ,an opinion as to Vt'lietber-or. not Mr. Hardio . should bo. accorded, a public reception. They had all gathered through tho. medium of, the Press-that Mr.-Hardio, had been- visiting India, and had so-far forgotten his allegiance as.a member of the British. House of Parlia- ~ ment'' and . his, duty. .-to.-,,..-, lite as ... to . make.,',use..'. of....'.expressions;• • 'that j* tended to ,excite a: section, of-their; fellow,, ,- s subjects, ,Who wero. already, in a,,, seditious state.: In his opinion the, occasion,; of ,Jlr.. Kei'r,;Hardio's- visit. 'f Wellington;;; was hardly worth recognition at" the,public's,;; hands. Tlio Mayor would no doubt do all that, is necessary in showing courtesy.'to, tho, visi-, .- tor, and. the Socialist > party..;woUld. gjv'p;,him., r . a: good time, but ah expression of opinion, on - ; tho .matter had boon, requested,, . and,, he,., thought. it should be brought ;before .morii- ~. bers.- -: ... Mr. Bloxam did not think tlio, Asspciation. . should.have anything to do.jvith,it.,;. ; The President said that ifi he, was, publicly entertained it would bo at'tho. city's oxpenso - it would be in tlio -Town; Hall,; and there; Vbnld bp a go.od time .for' those...that ,wei;e- , thor# -. .. . ' -V- ' : jj'ir.: Millington said .that thoy should' have,, nothing to,-',do. with Mr. Keir Hardio.,:,He, was., a Socialist—an .advanced Socialist. ,If .'. thu Mayor wanted, to„pntertaih.Mr.,.Hardio, ,'. ho sliould do it. privately, and not, at thp;Cx-,: poiiso, of. tho city. . .. ' The President: "I don't'-'khow whether he is siii" advanced Socialist pr '"'an . Angel ;.of ,'. Light ; I "should say he. was rather an Ahgpl of Royblutionl" '/.. .. ..V ' 'moved"that tho.matter..did not.f.: Jntor; into' tho, provinqo;' 'of; thoVAssociation,' " and Mr 7. as,.'an' 'amendment': . .that' tho Association, iri' viqw of .his. ,uttci>; ances in India, was of opinion that .ho publia j,. reception should' hb 'accorded .to Mr. Hardiel r . Both tho resolution and aniendment were,' - carried. . .: ..