A SOCIALISTIC CHALLENGE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 58, 2 December 1907, Page 5

A SOCIALISTIC CHALLENGE

DISAPPOINTMENT THE RESULT. The' Goliath of Socialism ci'iod several times his challenge in His Majesty's Theatre lust evening, but Capitalism's David had some tiling more to do than listen. The challenge was first advertised in the public prints, after the modern method. Opponents of Socialism were invited to attend the party's camp and air their views. Simmering with excitement a large crowd, presumably of Socialists, met in the intended place of combat—llis Majesty s Theatre—last evening. Tho noisy sale of Socialistic literature and other stimulants to party feeling whetted the aggressive instincts of the company, till a mixed choir raised ail original New Zealand war-cry, sung to the tune of " Sons of the Sea." After indignant reference to the toilers' sufferings from "money powers, grasping gain increasingly," eloquence increases, till iii the last verse (he pcrl'emd Socialist swears to light his battle "Till the foo can tear the Southern Cross, Tear it from the starry sky!" The Chairman (Comrade Keys) now explained that Comrade Eagle would speak for ten minutes on Socialism, after winch opponents would be asked to express, their minds in speeches of a similar duration. Comrade Eagle then read his speech. A text chosen from Keir Ilardie, to the effect that many of the world's workers arc no better oli" than were the. Roman galley slaves, and millions more aie only one degree removed from that condition, "gave him the proper pitch. "Our existing society, miscalled civilisation, was badly trounced, and the speaker declared tluu there existed at the present time all the elements of an industrial explosion, which would make the political world tremble, if it did not shake it. to its foundations. _ When the applause ceased, the Chairman callcd for some opponent of Socialism to express his views, but there was no reply. Somebody suggested that if a second "comrade made a speech, he might work the hostile element into activity. "Let's have old Jack, Jack's decent, Jack'll give 'em a go," were interjections uttered, as Comrade Dowdle mounted the platform'. "I never saw at any Gospel meeting such happy faces as I see here to-night," commenced' Comrade Dowdle, and went on, somewhat ineoi.sequently, to describe the "cares, distress, destitution, and poverty" of ( the working classes.' He had some hard words for the churches, which were not resented by the audience. . ■ The challenge to the enemies of Socialism was repeated. No one _ entered the lists, so Comrade Fitzgerald, amidst roars of laughter, declared that he would defend the poor Capitalistic cause. His satirical remarks occasioned much amusement, but at his close another "coiujade" took up the stream of oratory, and a disappointed war-corres[Jondent crept out sadly,-his occupation obviously gone.