The Dominion. FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1918. A LEAGUE OF SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 210, 24 May 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1918. A LEAGUE OF SERVICE

People of reforming bent in this ccmntry have often pointed to the /great disparity between what is accomplished from time to time in tho way of all-round social betterment and what might be accomplished if only inertia could.bo overcome. In emphasising this disparity the Empire Service League, a body to whose proceedings at its annual conference wo devote some space to-day, is travelling over ground that is familiar, though, little worked. It is notorious that our politics and politicians are coming more and more to bo regarded with disfavour by intelligent people in all walks of life, and most people who trouble to think are aware that our prevailing practice in such matters as adjustment of relations between employers and omploycd in industry is feeble and ineffective. It is not because it directs attention to shortcomings and follies of this kind that tho Empire Service League attracts attention, but becauso it has como_ forward as a body intent on securing tho introduction and application of sounder principles of polity than now obtain. The principles championed by the League are unlikely to bo challenged. The only question raised is whether it is fcasiblo to bring theso principles into practical bearing upon the affairs of everyday life. AVithout endorsing all tho opinions expressed by the genoral secretary of tho League (Me. Pehcival Witherby) in the report ho presented to the annual conference ycstenlay, or tho more optimistic of tho conclusions ho has reached, it is still possible to hold that tho prospects of successful activity lyi tho lines laid down arc brightened by tho existence of a widespread though as yet somewhat inarticulate desire for better leadership and generally for the introduction of saner methods in affairs involving national interests or those of groups or sections of tho people. To say, as Mn. Withehby does, in reviewing the prospects of reform that people are thinking to-day as they have never thought before is probably to gp further than the facts warrant. He gets nearer to tho heart of the matter in his further observation that the public mind waits, in some directions somewhat impatiently, for true and courageous leadership. Tho phenomenon which commands attention at present is rather discontent and a desire for better things than a definite development of constructive ideas of reform. But in the shape it takes the desire for improvement is not confined to particular sections of the community; it is almost universal, and it represents at least a potential force. It will undoubtedly make itself felt in politics, but, mainly for tho reason that serious thinking about interests anil affairs anywhere outside their immediate round is the exception rather than the rule with r>ow Zoalanders, there is awry real danger that it may bo unprolitaWy frittered away. The condition of the public mind which is favourable to reform appears at intervals and does not wait indefinitely upon practical reforming effort, 'if the opportunity is not seized it soon passes. The very fact thai, the public linpulso to reform, as matters stand, is so uncertain, supplies in itself good reason for the creation of such an organisation as tho Empire League of Service. The volunteer role of the Loaguo as we ninlersfatul it is nnt lo attempt fo fill the p|.|,. c |.l !a |, ran onlyjie Riled by national leaders big in the public eye, but, rather, |to .work gradually; for. such an im«,

proved conception o£ citizenship and enighfoment of. public „„!„&,T 8 will ultimately establish \.h„ r o £ tunes of democracy mi a more assured louncaf.oi,, and meantime to concentrate _ its. ulain c ; upon an educational campaign, with S lu ,? e^lainmcntofdclincd fZr • • *■?• make il % mml ailtl in'cibmnating attack upon the !»'i-,s of inertia, indifference, and irrational sectional differences which Under social progress in this country would be to invito defeat. On the other hand by concentrating on uehncd objects the League may at once achieve positive results an ' t i j 0 something to forward the raifisation ot its larger aims. As an example ot what is possible we may take <'"o project of amending and improving the industrial conditions, winch admittedly represent ono of tlii! most glaring defects in our existing social order. There- arc poor prospects of bringing Labour and t'lipital into better and more harmoitfmis relations by dilating upon th.« abstract merits of mutual help as opposed to senseless suspicion and striJc, but an organised campaign directed to showing tho parties immediately concerned how much they osc by their present attitude, and how much their own interests and those of the general public would bo advanced by the substitution of cooperation for armed neutrality varied by conflict, would hold very different possibilities. Continuing as'it has begun, the League need not despair of overcoming, in some cases at. least, the suspicion and hostility with which the* parties in industry now regard each other. If even in a single industry employers and employed were induced to work heartily togothcr to promote their common intercuts the result, would bo not only important in itself, but would bo of material valuo as an example and incentive, to others to do likewise. Successfully organised and extended, the League may by a. series of such efforts render sigiul service to the State, j.n its appeal to reason and common sense, and standing clearly apart from tho largely artificial divisions and controversies of the day, it offers an element that, has been too long lacking from our communal life. Those public-spirited citizens who have brought the Leaguo into active existence have already rendered a considerable public service, and it may be hoped that their efforts will meet with that encouragement and support which will enable them to develop their organisation • and prosecute with energy their campaign of education and enlightenment.