The Moving Finger

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 70, 12 July 1912, Page 10

The Moving Finger

THE "ROUND TABLE."

Of any number of the "Hound Jablo" it can be said that there is a leading article in every page, a challenge in every paragraph. It is a review for the armchair of the leisurely. «nd at the same time probably the most completely and distinctly current of tho reviews. Its articles all tieat «f the present—it if facile piincep* as organ of up-to-date, affairs. It is judicial with lucidity and ability, but the motto of tho "Pink 'Uii" is all over it, There isn't a John Bullian subscriber to it, we'll warrant, but to whom it is "just so Sol

Nevertheless, ii tho editors-admit many such articles as tho epigramniatically ■magnotic ono on "Tho Other Irish Question" in the bulky Juno number, they'll be in grave danger of losing the "Reyiew's" "just so" reputation. It is so different—in manner and matter. Most of the articles oi all the numbers (or thereabouts) might not ineptly be likened to the work of Dr. Queed before his regeneration, aud this exception and exceptional article to the work of Mr. Queed after his journalistic rebirth. There is meat in it, but real waders may not live by meat alone, and Consequently a wise writer has given them graceful and tasteful dressing of the meat The result is a striking a* iparkling contribution ot almost Shavian flavor: we'll wager that the author is a literary man as well as a politician, impossible as the duality may seem.

"The Other Irish Question" is redolent oi horse sense, with all its prneti«ality. Iff opening if= exquisite:—

Men speak oi the settlement of tho Irish question, meaning by that tho solution, not of an Irish, but of an English difficulty. W T e Irish would indeed be a fortunate race if our problems could be settled so easily a? by the creation of a legislature to. deal with Irish affairs. Do Englishmen who havo enjoyed an independent Parliament for some centuricp regard it* existence as settling the English problem ? They have just passed through a period of national strikes, and anticipate a long series of such troubles and the butchering

of their industries to make many undesirable British holidays. The Englishman, blessed with self-govern-

ment, contemplating ruefully tho social conditions in his country, must look with compassion on the very young Irishman who believes if he is only allowed to marry his political ideal he will fettle down and live happily ever afterwards. Wo are not 60 young as that in Ireland. * * »

We commend our Toaders to this charmingly sapient article, and doubtless they will be as struck by some of its factf as we have been. Instance: "Ireland has not tilled a single acre more since tho Land Acts were passed." And this remark is worth capitals:

Our e:\isteh< c is becoming more interesting to oui,selves and to others as it becomes more human, as we find out that our Irish problem is thc English problem, the colonial problem, the American problem; indeed, the problem of humanity everywhere, which is to bring up its young nobly and strong enough to giapple with this hard business of life. ,j * *

Of the remaining general—as distinct from the uVpai I mental—-articles pride of place is, with singular lack of Critical judgment., given to a glorification of Kingship entitled "The Durbar »nd After.'-' We read that "The millions of India we:e waiting for a sign. Their King had come among them to perfoim some miracle." And, by gad, he did. rub! The second article is oil Home. Rub: —"an attempt to analyse villi fairness the Home Rule Bill, regarded as a piece of constitutional machinery." It assumes the existence oi ail the non-existent political •thics.

A Queensland eonespeiident treats fully of tho Biisbane- General Strike,, &nd gives nr- an informing article, near enougli correct in its account of actual events and also in its dissection- of 'tho strike v. arbitration controversy, with a final page of estimable eonoluBions for others than "the world of Labor" thong)', tutoria'ly intended for ,'*'the world ot Labor' alone. We note that at time of reading we v. tub--i lined these v,;,rds. "Put the mob bad lean t. for thc first time pn.bably in the livop of rtihe- great mairr'.ty. /how utteriy helplesp mere numbers an- before the •ttack of or* i'! ;i sn-rdl organised arid disciplined force." Of the <Vr,;.;-iu- -:ilj.l cent i il,\.! i. • • the chief is undo Too Failed and on "The Coal Slribo. -- If is iii.minatiiig. Wo found it in to re si ii.c to Contrast some* of it.» opinions with 'Some- expressed by the writoi' on the Brisbane stnko. The latter mhus to tliink striken have. W., smashed lor all lame Tho English wiilov knows be liter —as thus: "It is. not likely that this ftriko will be tho last, tho greatest, or 4fc© most disattrctis." In his analysis

and Teview ol "the most extensive industrial conflict ol this or any age" onr author is most suggestive in reading the lessons of industrial unrest. Our author,too, is not unskilful in aphoristic woTd-building. We append a few selected sentences :—- It is a commonplace of history that improved oonditions leister revolutionary impulses. Education undoubtedly lowers discontent, whether for good ov evil. The value ol eolleotive bargaining disappears it agreements concluded in due form are not maintained. There was no general war-chest. Each district stood upon its own logs, and this was an inevitable source of weakness. The power- of refinance shewn by the community has exceeded the most sanguine expectations el well-inform-ed men . . The power of resistance shown was also partly due to the long notice given to industry. Tlie feeling of class- solidarity seems to bo stronger than experience.

The New Zealand section of the "Review" is ably, written and interesting. Thc article on "Local Politic*.-" brings the. narrative of events down to a "momentous period in our political history. For the first time in 20 years the two chief parties are halanced. the Liberal and Labor combination ha* been broken and' Labor holds the balance of power." Ah!—wo wonder. The article abounds in- those valuable- reminiscent gleanings and touches from Maoriland hif-tory for which we prisse this correspondent. Upon "Labor Unrest" tho writer truthfully predicts that "the industrial outlook is lamentably dark." "The Japanese in tho Pacific" is just a note, but the concluding piece on "Commonwealth and Dominion" if eminently wise from tlie standpoint of nationalists who know:not Socialism. It succinctly deals with t-he naval agreement.

Canadian, Australian, and South African polities aro generously set forth. " Mr, Borden in Office" is knowledgeable and "Difficulties of the Labor Party" (Australia) food for reflection. The Juno number of this quarterly Imperialistic review is a number to road, but likewise dangerous minus an antidote. In tho sense that to be expert in attractive acquaintanceship with affairs is brilliant the "Round Tablo :> for June is brilliant, but in tho sense that, pay, tho "English Review" is brilliant, —i.e., in letters and life supremely intellectual—it is notbrilliant, save in notable insularities. Yet it is worth buying, and on Labor matter?, both industrial and political, can bo read with profit if not with concurrence. Prico. 2s. 6d., 10«. per annum. S. A. Atkinson, IG2 Fonthorston street. Wellington, and all booksellers.