The Dominion THURSDAY, JULY 10, 3919. politics And public WELFARE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 245, 10 July 1919, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, JULY 10, 3919. politics And public WELFARE

The fact badly needs driving home that in the ruling praptiee in this country—not that it is singular in the matter—a national outlook, taking broad and comprehensive account of the interests of the whole population, is tending rapidly to become obsolete. The general tendency at present is to substitute for the treatment of public affairs from -a national standpoint merely sectional activities in which the public interest is subordinated or sacrificed, deliberately or as a matter of course. The tendency is conspicuously evident both inside and outside the political arena. Any dispassionate observer must conclude for instance, that regard for public interest is not one of the most important considerations governing tho composition of existing political parties. As most people know, there are men in practically all parties who would be working together in a single camp if only public' interest were studied. K political conditions—modified by trie war to an extent which is still quite uncertain—betray a great falling away from the national ideal, the same fault is assuredly not less evident in tho treatment of industrial prob- | lems which arc distinctly of national scope. In all the larger questions that arise between employers and wage-earners, whether or not they lead to open conflict, the general public—the body of consumersis as vitally concerned as either of the other two parties. The part allotted to it, however, is that of a helpless spectator and an unresisting victim to be exploited by one or other, or both, of the contending factions, Such conditions obviously are inconsistent with sound and healthy democracy. As a step towards a better political and social order and a wiser interpretation of the principles of democracy, the formation of any organisation designed to further the interests of all classes is to be very heartily welcomed. The recently-formed Welfare League has yet to give proof of its quality and demonstrate its ability to render useful service, but its general objects arc certainly eommendablc, and it may be added that the prcsidental address delivered. by Mit. O. P. Skurrett at the conference of League delegates, which opened yesterday, bore witness to a competent understanding of the most urgent problems of the day. In stating that, the League aspired to unite all disinterested and moderate, sane and responsible thought, Mr. Skerrett set out a very ambitious programme. But there is no doubt that he laid his finger upon the worst-weakness in the political and social organisation of this country when he said that a considerable section of the 'population was practically unrepresented in politics, because it had no unity, no organisation, and no common voice. He was on equally sure ground in affirming that the crisis had arrived when people in this category.must tako (heir part in national politics. _ In the selection of its, bioad objective at least, the League is well abreast of the times, and its appearance iis opportune. The artificial political divisions and sectional Strife which indict only loss and hardship ujjon the greater part ot the population of this country have been made possible hitherto bv poli tieal apathy. But, chiefly owing to the fact that the hardships inflicted I on the hitherto inert majority are rapidly beconiing intolerable, apathy is giving place, to a keen and widelyawakened demand for reform. There is much in existing conditions to favour the development of a broadly national organisation capable of dealing in exemplary fashion both with political undesirables and with militant unions who find in every concession incentive to further and more arrogant attacks on the public welfare. No fault can be found with the emphasis laid by Mr. Skerrett upon the necessity of curbing the activities of extreme and revolutionary Labour, for it is particularly obvious that no more callous and undemocratic attack has been made upon the rights and interests of the general population than by those sections of organised Labour which label themselves militant. At the same time, any body with a constitution like that of the Welfare League must shape its policy with due regard to the fact that industrial strife and the industrial disorders which threaten to become chronic arc not all due to faults on one side. The fact is not to be evaded, however, that while most employers are prepared to move with the times, and a minority only are. opposed to industrial progress and development on sounci lines, the Labour movement in this country is, generally speaking, dominated by irreconcilable extremists whose activities tend less to the improvement of industrial and social conditions than to the ruin of industry and the creation of social chaos.

An effective organisation of thi people of modcrali: views in this country would be veil able to deal with extremists of Bolshevist sympathies. and also v-ith memb B 3 of the employing class who stand m the way of progress. Apart from the question of excessive profits, it has to be recognised that individual preference or obstinacy cannot be allowed to impede the progressive developments in industrial and commercial organisation which are shown by experience or by expanding knowledge to be advisable. From what has thus far been put forward on its behalf, the promoters of the

Welfare League seem to be prepared to deal with all such questions in an open and impartial spirit. That the time is ripe for Rational organisation in support ol its announced objects is not in doubt Neither is it in doubt that conditions generally are highly favourable to the development of such an organisation. Duo emphasis was laid in the opening discussion at yesterday's conference upon the fact that (lie 1 League as it is now constituted has yet to prove its sincerity. It is to be credited already,_ however, with taking the initiative fn forwarding organisation on right lines i'or soundly national aims, and it is in the power of the people to whom its objects appeal to join up with it and see that these objccts are not neglected or betrayed.