The Dominion. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1913. THE LABOUR-SOCIALISTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1739, 2 May 1913, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1913. THE LABOUR-SOCIALISTS.

It is to the credit of those 'who contested the local bodies' elections here as the nominees of the LabourSocialists that they have for the most part taken their' defeat in "a good spirit; Mb. M'Laren, it is true, could not resist making an accusation of having been "struck in I he back," but on the whole little Fault could be found with the manner in which he acccpted what was naturally to him an unpleasant situation. There is sonic hope for a party which can accept defeat philosophically, and profit by the knowledge if. lias gained of its osvn weaknesses and shortcomings, and our Labour-Social-ist friends appear inclined to do this. How long they will enntinue in their present chastened mood, and liovy far they will really profit by their recent bard experience I lie future alone can tell. ' One of the first lessons I hey have to learn is moderation. In !ho elections just over they grasped at 100 mueli. Whatever explanations I hey may now put forward, there is not the slightest doubt that their endeavour was, not merely to secure reasonable representation, but lo take advantage of their organisation to gain absolute control of the city's affairs. They knew they were in a minority, but hoped that by means of a block vote from their following for the "ticket'' they had put forward to gain a victory over the majority. Naturally the public outside the Labour-Socialist ranks took tho only course open to them to protect themselves from the domination oE class_ rule -on a minority vote by balloting solidly against the Labour "ticket.'' They, would never have combined in the united fashion they did had the Labour-Socialists shown a reasonable moderation. If the Labour and Socialist, leaders have any doubt ou this point, let them oomparc the votes polled by Mr. M'ljAllkn' with the votes recorded for their "ticket" candidates for the City Council. The Labour-Socialist vole proper, as shown by the polling for councillors, was between I'.OOO and <1000, whereas il it. M'Lahen polled over 9000 voles._ The reason' for this difference is plain enough. There are many e'tb/Mis who believe, as wc our-

selves do, that Labour as well as every other section of Urn onmiiiunily is entitled to fair representation oil public liodics, and many holding lliis view voted for Hn, Jl'Lahkn as Ihr only safe way of giving a, vote for Labour. Tliry could not vole for Ihr Labour "ticket'' eandidatcs for Ihe Oily (louncillorships without risk of to swamp the council will) Lahour-ttorialisls; hut, in voting for the Mayor, I liey c-oulcl poll fur Mu. M'Laiikn, knowing that if meant only unit seal nl the. council lahle, I'here tire, however, other direolions in which the Labour-Socialists require lo practice modcralion hcl'orc they can hope to command any wide range of support outside Ihe'ininuditile circle of their own following. I'liey need lo learn moderation in speech, Most of I hem appear to lie Uliile unable to place llicir views before I,lie public without the use of oxlriivngaiit nuil extreme language, and the fomentiug of class hatred. No seel ion of I lie coniiiiunily is more hitler and virulent in ils n'ltneks on class rule and class privilege (ban the Litbour ; iSoein lists. Vet, their one endeavour is to secure absolute dominance for Iheir own class. The public are not. blind lo Ibis inconsistency, nor are I hoy at all deceived by Iho sophislry willi which the La boiir-Soeialist.s seek lo cover it- Ibe claim lhal Ihov are prepared lo lake all cl 'isses under their banner, Was Ihero ever a political parly which did not express Ibe same opeii' hearted generosity / The rebuff which the l,almtir-.Hoeialisls have just, received at (lie hands of I lie Vil izenn may be expected lo have n good effect 111 Ibe forthcoming Conference between the Labour and Socialist or ganisations aI- which Iheir future policy and programme are lo lie decided. It should at least help lo convince the exlromisU lhal. Ibe' public can and will, when occasion requires, protect itself against Ibe organised aggression of ('lass dnnijiiiilion, whatever form it niny Inke, In some piiyls_ of the Dominion the Labour-Socialists on Wednesday last scored .successes, and it wouid be idle to ignore the fact, lhal. they show promise of developing into Ih'e most powerful political organisation in the country outside the Reform party. With the so-called "Liberal' 1 party in a state of disruption, the position of the Labour-Sootalists lia.s been .materially improved, but they will have to radically change methods, not only in the' field'of politics, but also in industrial affairs, before they can hope to make any marked advance in the confulcnco of the general public.