DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1923, Page 4

DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL.

SIGNIFICANT HAPPENINGS IN ITALY. “It is possible, under the chaos and confusion of Europe," said A iscouut Grey of Fallodon recently, “that democratic representative government may go down for a time in favour of some other system.” Lord Grey, in delivering the Earl Grey memorial lecture in Armstrong College, Newcastle, took as the title of his address, “Some Thoughts oil Bui,lie Life." When lie looked back to ISSI, he said, lie reflected that politics were much more simple then than now. The dominating question was the simple one of the extension of the franchise, which was regarded as the complete establishment of representative government based on household suffrage. There was then no distinction between Liberals and Labour men like the late Mr Burt and -Air Fenwick, who were as truly Labour men as any Labour representative of the present day.

Democratic representative government was now regarded as being on its trial; its merits and efficacy were questioned as they were not questioned in those days.

In some countries democratic government was not regarded as an ideal .„ nil. He did not take what hint happened in Russia as an instance, because Russia had never had demo(ralie representative government, and therefore it could not he said to have I,von superseded or discarded tiieie. but what was happening in Italy was

significant. Italy had democratic government. hut quite recently it had been superseded by something which no doubt must have large popular support liehind it, not based on parliamentary election hut oil organised force. For sonic time, at any rate, that system of government which was regarded as ideal in this country had been .suspended in Italy. FIRM BELIEF IN DEMOCRACY. One heard many people now who questioned democratic represcii tali\ e government in a way in which it was never questioned helore. “Personally,” said Lord Grey. “I am as attached to democratic representative government as I have ever been.” ' Applause.) He considered ilun, the great guarantee of democratic

representative government- in this country was that the Government was elected by popular vote, and was dependent day -by day, when Parliament was sitting, up.in the confidence of Hie represental ivos of the people. Regarding appeal to public opinion, he said imiell of the shortcomings ol democratic government was due to the fact lhat public opinion was not nccessanlv statesmanlike at all.

“The most important question at the ico n mi.” Lord Grey proceeded, “is the relation between Capital and Labour, it transcends In importance all other questions. How far is it,” he asked, "a political question in the scu-e ot one to Ii- solved hv Parlia-

L om- held thill the solution was tin- d<’si i ik lion of private properly and ihe nn! iomdisiuion of all great indnsl rb. s. of t oill sl* it was a political ques-

tion to lie suit led by Parliament, but la- thought the majority of people, while deeply impressed that the relations hot w coii Capital and Labour were

not snli far lory, were not yet of opinion Hint mitiuimlisniion would make things belter, and though attempts ought to be made to change eli<-m they I-01-.'-il lor a change in oilier din cl inn -.

lie referred to the claims of Labour for security against unemployment, and for status in and the maximum share possible of the prolils of industry.

A- to the former, he believed the bc-l way would he insurance hv the great trades themselves. Share in management was very important, but it ciii l l-1 rot ! e deall with by Pallia Hen-. L muß be deall with by statesmanship on the part of employers and employed. AYages. again, was a question which could not be settled !y the State, but in list he settled bo-twiM-n i la-* groat organised bodies of omnlt.vers and Labour.

Those question; all required great st a t "sins ii ship, just as much as for drum siie problems which could be dealt with bv Parliament. At I.F-EDUCATION THE REMEDY. “If the groat need is statesmanship in demne race. what is the remedy E” Ie- asked.

The remedy was education, not primary, not secondary education, but adult education the education which (■ne could gain oneself after getting the best piimary and .secondary education.

Lord Grey, in this connection, spoke of the advantage of 1 lie gift of public s pen King. Democracy might be led away, and mistake some smaller men lor greater than they wore because they possessed this gift.