A KNOTTY QUESTION.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 February 1914, Page 2

A KNOTTY QUESTION.

Undoubtedly the deportation of the Strike leaders from South Africa was a high handed measure. That fact has made a great many people ciy out. But none of them seem to have considered whether there could be any possible justification. When the proper time comes the African Prime Minister will have to explain the justification, For the present, however, he is entitled to- the consideration of all men of sense. These do, not believe that such a measure could have been tat en in very wantonness. In England the Labour party out of a misguided follow-feeling Sre demanding that the Empire shall establish an Imperial authority which shall effectually prevent the possibility of a recurrence of such a thing. On the other hand the timid people who never strike a bold course are babbling of things not germane.

Now we of this Dominion were quick to see in the earlier wires from Africa, that these Labour agitators were appealing to the black labour, and talking about the red flag and sending the King to a place not mentioned in polite society. These anarchists had simply dragged a powder barrel into the midst of the population and were trying their best to fire it. Either they did this or they did not. If they did not then the action of the Government deserves censure and the deported men compensation. If they did then it should be to them an agreeable surprise that they were not shot. So much for the merits. As 2ov the Con•stitution.il aspect of the case it should be enough that all the self-governing races •of the Empire are the best judges of their own troubles. That is the essence of their status in the Empire. Nothing can therefore justify any Imperiai interference with their autonomy. Take away or weaken this autonomy and good-bye to the great British Krnpire to morrow. Here such a thing oould hardly occur, though the possibility of martial law might be proved one of these days. For there is no great overwhelming black problem to tempt the anarchist? to sensational exploits. But even here, if anarchy got she upper hand, it would be the duty of the government to proclaim martial law and administer the same faithfully. As to the deportation to Britain it is theoretically injustifiable. But Britain is full of such people and encourages them to.come from all parts. Therefore no harm can be done to the British public by the dumping of a dozen more or less in the ?ast crowd of unprincipled refugees. So long as it is of vital importance to an Oversea population threatened with dire woe to be able to send anarchists packing, Britain will not object. The only objectors are th.o«e of the Labour side who will not argue the merits of the case, preferring the dangerous but happily fatuous course of denouncing the represion of unprincipled trouble. Sfc is a plea for disorder which is not likely to be endorsed by the British public* "To the anarchist the lesson is salutary, teaching that society has power enough and resolution enough to put down disorder.