Nothing New Under The Sun.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1921, Page 4

Nothing New Under The Sun.

THE REDS OF OLDEN TIMER.

A correspondent who is a student of liresont day events, and also a wide reader, has written us drawing our attention to a reference in “Aristotle’s l’olitieis” written over 2(H)(I years ago. The description therein given of the domogoguos of Aristoth'’s time so exactly fits the Bed politicians of our period, that the matter might well be taken as a pen picture of these advocates of class hatred who are to he found even amongst the politicians ol New Zealand. AYlien we read of the. recentlv held Australasian Labour Con.mess’ where the Red extremists, with Mr H E. Holland M.P. included, denounced the holders of private property and laid plans to capture all the Industries of Australia and New Zealand it. appeared hut the usual outburst of hot air. It now seems that these demagogues have classical ground on which to stand. They are indulging in tin’ pe. ictna 1 arts by wl nil all demagogues seek to use the mass for their own ends. “Tber,. is nothing now under the sun''—As it was in the days of yore, so it, is still. ft is assuming io discover that- these Revolutionists, or cart wheel politicians. whilst mocking at Toryism and Conservatism are the most out and out conservatives of all. clinging to Iho policy and arts which were even old in days of ancient Rome, and learning nothing more constructive than to foment plans of class exploitation, dost nut ion of tlie order that is. and leaving the chance what may arise. Thus Aristotle wrote ol their lalse arts :—( Politics. Book o. Chapter D. “The insolence of demagogues is generally the cause of the ruin of denmcrncius. . . . Sometimes they raise tlie upper and iniddl,- classes against them bv seizing on private property, or the public revenue s',nit dividing tin* proceeds in various forms of bribery and corruption. Sometimes they attack the rich by process of law that they may hav,. their property to apply to the support- of their Government. . . Now. since oratory has lieen so much cultivated, men who are able- speakers, are the great demagogues.

“Tho great instrument by which they .’lei’Oiuplish their ends is th 0 confidence of the people, and thus they win by I lie hatred they display against the rich. . Changes occur also from the old form of democracey to on,, still more democracies in which no qualification ; s required either from electors or elected. 11l such eases lu’inagogues aiming at power through flattery of the people, bring matters to tho pass that the populace became masters of the laws, and govern as they please.”

COMMENT. If wo ,'iro to prevent, tlio ruin of our domoeivu ios in ihoso Southern sons, the people must loam to sot themselves hard ;iii<l fsist against the demagogues who already in oil,, or too States of Australasia have hy flattering tile popuInoo and set.Huy up wild cat State ventures brought the linanees into most parlous eondilion. To tlio lied demagogues who insult honest labour hy tubing its riani(> fo r their own, let ns, as pooplo, sternly say “hands off Now Zealand.” (Contributed bv the N./. Welfare League).