THE DOUBLE VOTE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 103, 24 January 1908, Page 7

THE DOUBLE VOTE.

PRESS VIEWS. RED FLAG OR " JOLLY ROGER." ? (Roc. Jan. 23, 11.23 p.m.) ; ' , London, January 23. The "Tribune"- says that the voto of tho Conference means that while only an extreme minority of Socialists is prepared' as yet to present an ultimatum to the Trad© "Unionist scction, yet the mnjority are already eager to parade the design with which the Trado Unionists and the Liberal-Labour men aro invited to como in. )\ Tho "Daily Telegraph" says that the Red Flag (Socialist) is indistinguishable from tho Jolly Roger (pirates'' flag).. The decision of the Conference as to Socialism is a crushing blow to the Liberal party. It is certain to widen the gulf between the two sections of Labour, and to oxacerbatc differences and jealousies between rival leaders. ' ' , ' .' Tho " Daily Mail" says the immediate result will bo further sccessions 1 from tho Liberal ranks. Tho "Morning Post" says that tho two apparently diametrically opposito decisions mean that tho majority of the delegates aro Socialists, but that they aro not propared to ostracise all those who aro not Socialists. TWO MOTIONS. Somo confusion may arise, from the fact that tho Labour Conference one day rejects a Socialist motion by 951,000. votes to 91,000, and next day carries a Socialist motion by '514,000 votos to 4G9.000. But tho rejected motion sought to put Socialism and public ownership into the written platform of the Parliamentary Labour party; the motion which has been carried merely affirms the opinion of the Conference that the time has arrived for the Labour party to dcclaro for Socialism and public control. Tho latter motion,i it will 1)0 seen, has a huge section of opponents. Jn view of tho previous Labour decisions against compulsory arbitration, the motion in favour of a compulsory minimum wage in certain trades is an interesting advance. Mr. Kamsay JlacDonald's argument is. in effect, tho familiar ono that artificially-fixed wages are neutralised by prices and rents. He applies it both to New Zealand's arbitration system'and to Australian Wages Boards.