THE EXTREMISTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2030, 18 September 1919, Page 3

THE EXTREMISTS.

SHOULD THEY BE CONSIDERED? REMARKS BY SIR JAMES WILSON. “Jt is for you, at this juncture, to say whether the parting of the ways has not come; whether we shall counter the organisation which we see going on, or sit and watch the strife which will be upon us, or take part in the battle.” Tin’s is an extract taken from an address by Sir James Wilson, president of the Dominion Fanners’ Union, at the opening of the conference at Wellington on Tuesday, when he-discussed the organising efforts of the “extreme” section.

“We have met here under difficulties of transport, but wo are here to discuss and consider questions of moment at a time when the whole world is out of joint, and we ought to take our part to try and set our part of the world aright,” he said. “We have already seen great changes of thought, great change brought about by action; are we to sit still and watch only? - I take it we are mil ta try and bring contentment and happiness to the people —although we are not credited with that purpose. How can that he brought about? High wages cannot bring contentment, for wages have never been so high, and discontent is manifest. Strikes and refusal to work threaten daily, and frequently eccur. Propaganda work is going on only by one section of the community; their leaders arc in deadly calmest in organising the workers. Circumstances have given their talkative leaders the opportunity to -visit every corner at the least expense and deliver to picked audiences their shibboleth broadcast.

“It has been suggested that ■ loaders of nil sections of. the people should meet and discuss matters so as to arrive at some basis to salisly all. The lime has pane by for community meetings, such as the AngloSaxons had in their folkmoot, or the Forum of (lie Homans, when we .have among those who would he sent as representatives men who openly boast they are Bolsheviks; who are pacifists as far as defending their country and their homos against an outside foe, but who glory in causing internal strife, who refuse to take part in the rejoicings for peace, and amongst, whose unions a resolution was passed demanding that ‘all War Loans he repudiated.’ What would be the use, even if it were possible, of meeting such representatives'? It is fur yon,-at- ibis juncture, to say whether tint parting of the ways has not come; whether we shall counter the organisation which we see going on, or sit and watch the strife which will be upon us, or take pari in the battle. As Shakespeare lias it: Whether Tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them ? Whether ‘opposing’ would end them remains to be -seen, but unless they are opposed the end is inevitable. We are sure that the farming community takes its stand on the .side of law and order. How can we help in the struggle?”