THE BLESSING OF SOCIALISM.

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 8, 20 April 1911, Page 14

THE BLESSING OF SOCIALISM.

A Presbyterian minister writing of conditions at Home concludes his letter as folioAvs : — The blessing of Socialism is needed, greatly needed, in the Old Land. Wherefore ? For the reason you yourself name, sir, and for many more you do not mention. Of the British nation 69 per cent, are AA-orkers, 28 per cent, are middle class people, and only 3 per cent, belong to the nobility. Yet this 3 per cent, of the population holds in its grasp about 95 per cent, of political power. A Tory Government, with the pliant aid of the Lords and Bishops, but without a shadow of mandate from the nation, could pass an Education Act that would never be thought much of, much less passed, in this country, and could pass a liquor licensing bill that really meant a brewers' endoAvment bill to the extent of 30 odd millions. The same Tory party, reduced in the House of Commons to a mere impotent rump, can defy a Liberal Government that has a clear mandate from the people, and can effectually prevent it, though supported by a, huge majority, from placing its lead- . ing policy measures upon the Statute Book. How can it do so ? By means of the Lords and Bishops, AA-ho are the sure political executive of their class (3 per cent.) and of the rump in the House of Commons. And thus education among the masses and ob-, stinate political .provocation on the part of the leaders of the classes are alike maturing forces that will work for good. The shrill shriek of Lord St. Aldwyn as to the danger and robbery of Socialism Avill no longer mislead the bulk of the nation as it once would have done. The last men to talk about a gospel of selfishness are the spokesmen of tbe enormously Avealthy and highly privileged few. The levelling-up in education that has taken place among the millions at Home must issue in their social improvement, and the wiser party m England is the party that Avill York most earnestly for this end, and thus moderate the force from this quarter. The menace of inconsiderate privilege is greater far than the menace of Socialism. So let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a J that, That sense and worth, o J er a J the earth, Shall bear the gree, and a* that. For &.' that, and a' that. It's coming yet, for &? that, That man to man the world o'er Shall brothers be for of that.