UNITY OR DISRUPTION

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1921, Page 4

UNITY OR DISRUPTION

THE TWO KINDS OF “SELF-DE-TERAI INATION.”

The followers of the Red Band are m#st interesting as a psychological study. They are great on phrases such as “economic determinism, class con-

sciousness, proletarian progression, wage slavery, surplus value etc., etc.” Somehow the minds, or at least, the mouths, oi these people are filled with a passion for coupling together two or three words, then, joining hands and dancing the carmagnole round the phrase thus created. The expression is set up as an idol before which the Socialist devotees perform their strange and often mysterious genuflections. At this time they are mostly engaged in dancing round the two words “selfdetermination.” A person possessed of only ordinary common sense might suggest to them that really the words ar« very simple and their value depends upon who the “self” is and what is being determined. The individual, however, who thus advises, can rest assured that he, or she, is taking great risks in thus approaching the frenzied worshippers. To these latter the words are just “self determination,” a mysterious, occult, transcendent power that may perform miracles. If Abraham Lincoln had known of the power ol these words there might never have been any civil war in America, but' the Americans of his day, being hut plain people, when Jeff Davis and his confederates proceeded to bust up the Union, called it secession; the meaning of which word they proceeded to explain with a shot gun. TWO KINDS OF “SELF DETERAII NATION.”

There are always two kinds of “self determination” that you can apply in this old world of ours. There is the determination of things that concern yourself, and there is the determination of issues that affect other people besides yourself. As a rule the first is rather good in the way of principle as it means everybody minding their own business. The second is the one that either Brings, or meets, trouble. When Kaiser Wilhelm sought to self determine for Europe, and perhaps the world, lie found that other Nations liesides Germany were in the business of determining and would not give way. As a matter of simple fact it is becoming more and more difficult for any Nation to indulge in the practice of self determination except in regard to their own exclusively private affairs. V hat is being called for with ever greater inisistonce is not “self determination” but mutual determination. The wise jx'ople, and the wise Nations of to-day 'are those who recognise the importance of human unity as against self, self. The Irish question is not different from the Scotch, Welsh or English question. If presented as to whether they should have the right to determine their own affairs the answer can he given as “yes” hut if it is whether they should have the right to self determine other people's affairs, then, the answer should he no.” UNTTY COMES FIRST. Whilst there are many people who honestly believe in sell determination, in tho soi®! of democracy or self government, we are yet strongly of the opinion that the Revolutionary Socialists are dishonestly using the term for purposes of disruption. They no more believe in Nationalism than they believe in Imperialism hut think they can use the former to destroy the latter and then deal with the Latter afterwards. The Union of Nations and States whiaji we call the British Empire is constantly represented as if it was a tyrannical England with a number of dependencies attached, then, every rumour, exaggeration, slander and misrepresentation possible is directed against this Union. Rational people lmow that England is not the Empire but merely a senior partner in the firm. Tt is the Union of all these far-flung States and prindipajities wo have to consider. The Union comes first. Those who arc truly loyal will stand in united determination against the insidious attempts of the political non-unionists to endeavour, under a false plea of self determination, to disrupt and destroy one the grandest Unions that the world has ever known. (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League.) two Oiie was killed by the Maharajah; one fell mortally wounded to my rifle; the fourth got <d ea n away through thfe line of beaters.” “The first tiger shot measured 10ft. J long; two of the others 9ft. They werej all three-year-olds.” i