The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, NOV. 8, 1906.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1927, 8 November 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, NOV. 8, 1906.

The cabled item referring to Mr Keir Gardie’s speech at Glasgow must have been read with some surprise by those antipodeans of his who have been familiar with his writings and thought they knew the author through them. The M.P. for Merthyr Tydvii was widely known as a socialistic reformer long before bo had exhibited any desire to become a politician, aud his printed, opinions have always been characterised by moderation in tone and an evident desiro to place his view of the social question beforo the public iu a way that would gain the sympathy of thinking people; nor were those writings devoid of common sense though perhaps not always conclusive. At any rate they had tho merit of being well calculated to impress people with the calm seriousness and honest intentions of the author, and so unsuspectingly persuade many to accord the movement a kind of passive sympathy when a more dogmatic or virulent style would have transformed tho same people into active oppositionists, most likely. As long as Mr Keir Hardie

pursued that course ho could reckon upon increasing respect for tho came ho advocated if not active support, foi ov.-u oppononta who did not betiovo in his dnctriuoß were always ready to grant him full credit for sincerity and honest olf.irl. Tim olovation to the

rank of legislator in tho British Tlou-<o of Commons, however, appears to have transformed tho level-headed thinker and moderate writer into a blatant aggvossivist and political agitator of tho most pronounced type, for, ns tiio cable informs us, bo has “ declared that tho Labor Party must use Socialism as a moans of inflaming the commonalty into discontent with their lot.” Now that brief information may bo interpreted in various ways as to what tiro honorable gentleman’s atticudo towards tho question of socialism really ia ; but there is but ono construction to bo put upon it as to tho wisdom of his suggested move. Had Mr Keir Hardio adhered to his customary moderation and tho dissemination of socialistic propaganda that purported to ineludo somo reasonableness at least, his work would not have been altogether wasted ; but whon lie losos bis patience, as the eabled information most distinctly indicates, and declares that ho is ready to make socialism a mere stopping stono to his main object, namely, that of inflaming the public mind mid embroiling tho populace in bitter strife, few sober-minded peoplo or those who have the welfare of the race really at heart will longer accord him credit for the possession of high principles or tho tact to carry them into effect with any benefit to his fel!ow-raan. Tho message pourtrays

most eloquently tho real difference between tho true reformer and tho

more agitator, and many who have conjured up a sincere respect for M.r Keir Hardie iu the former role will not hesitate to shower execrations upon him when ho develops into the latter. 1 hougli he has always boon a man 'of aor ialistic ideas his socialism has been of a kind that claimod distinction from the more lurid and senseless agitations of irresponsible persons who . proclaimed in tho name of socialism a greater respect for “ the rights of man ’’ as interpreted by themselves than for the man himself. In other words, they advocated the slaying of one man to preserve tho alleged “rights” of another. That form of socialism is now known, by the more appropriate name of anarchism, which every iight"thinkiDg person loathes; but it is nevertheless only an advanced stage of what Mr Keir Hardie has now declared himself for, and should never be confounded with the real socialism propounded by the Nazarene Carpenter two thousand years ago, the basic principle of which was peace, not turbulence and fiery agitation which can never hope for good result. Mr Keir Hardie doe 3 not define the kind of socialism which ho intends to employ as a means to gain his end ; but it is plain that he cannot mean the socialism of peace, for from that he could never hope to inflame the public mind to discontent and its resultant horrors. He has evidently despaired of the efficacy of peaceful and instructive propaganda, and is ready now to enter the lists of those who care not for the consequences of strife so long as it satisfies the ghoulish cravings of disappointment at the thought that the efforts of a few cannot transform the

world in compliance with their desire. The pronouncement is a regrettable one, not only because its notion is a tactless and futile ono, but because if carried into effect it will cause so much unnecessary misery to those who become intoxicated with its alluring tenets. It is regrettable also because infinitely more good could be done by the more humane method of moral suasion systematically andenergetically though peacefully supported; yet Mr Keir Hardie does not appear to think so, and he is now prepared to fight at the expenso of his indigent countrymen, who must inevitably be the sufferers even though they may perchance be the victors in the struggle.