LIBERALISM & EXTREMISM.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3363, 16 December 1919, Page 5

LIBERALISM & EXTREMISM.

To make the position of the Liberal‘ Party clear to the most prejudiced‘ mind, it rsiould be well to‘ Indicate the kindiof Extremists from Whom it seeks no support); After the fo\lzlrth_' confer?! ‘ence of"“the Socialists Federation of; Labour, held at the “Maoriland week-‘j er’s” ofiices from 23rd May to 6th June, 1912, the “Worker” Office ‘issued an official “Report of Proceedings,;" in which the following statements apepai-ed:—-Mr R. Sempie (Organiser) moved: ' “That conference take into immediate consideration the advisability of introducing certain machinery clauses that will have the effect of transforming the Federation into a National Industrial Unioifof Workers on the lines of the LWIW.” Speaking_on the motion, Mr Stemple remarked:-——“ln his opinion the LWNV. system was a very sound system and was the only one which the-y could adopt. When going through the country as Organiser of the Federaticfn, he had frequent discussions with members as to the desirability of creating an industrial organisation on the lines set out in the Industrial Union Manifesto of the I.VV.W’.” “Mr P. Fraser,” the ofiicial report continues, “supported the motion. He recognised that whatever machinery was agreed upon must be adapted to our local conditions. He thought that the constitution of the I_W.V%’. was the most scientific weapon which had yet been adopted on behalf of the Working classes. p'lt was infinitely superior to any form of federation or confederation such as existed. for -instance, in France. .. He hoped the motion would be carried unanimously;-”’ The Liberal Party is opposed to extremists who support the destructive tactics advocated by the “Maoriland Worker,” of which Mr Holland was formerly editor. For example, in one‘ editorial article the “Worker” stated: “This article is to defend the tactics and the school of Extremism whose soul is Daring and whose slogan is ‘Socialism in our Time.’ If the Workers believe ‘in Socialism as their emancipatory Weapon they must grip the pivotal ‘point that they can't speak it in through the‘ back door. They can,’t steam the ship of State into the—’§'o/rt of Socialism flying the ‘black flag. ‘They must nail their colours to the mast. Those colours are red. and red, and again red.” ' T In another editorial, the “Worker” remarked:— A _ “Parliament is only wanted by the Socialist becatise ‘he is a.messagebearer of a new time, hasfener of a Social Revolution. in whose womb is wealth for all. . _ The Socialist wants Par-liament; not because he is a politician, but because he ‘is a propagandist.’-’ _, This abuse of Parliament, as a mere means of propaganda for the “Social; ist Republic” (a term often used in the “Workér”) is also indicated in another “Worker” editorial which was headed “New Zealand for Industrial _Unionism.” In explaining the term “Industrial Unionism.” the "Worker” stated: .

“Primarily it represents Direct Action. It does not necessarily under-rate Political Action; it :sa‘y‘s! this is secondary.” This advocacy of Direct Action is seen in the following extract from a. "Worker” editorial: “The strike! The strike of a class—-upon this pathway shall the workers march to victory andgthe ownership of all they do, all they make, all they want.” The same extremists who are now? striving to misleadithe working men of New Zealand sought the support of Moderate Labour (the United Labour Party) in the running of a. Socialist candidate for the Wellington Mayoralty in 1914. The following answer was given by Moderate Labour:“Our own party stands for a sane constitutional Labour policy. We repudiate absolutely the visionary policy and destructive methods, both political and industrial, of your Party and any agreement between us is therefore out of the Question-.” That is the ‘answer-which the Liberal Party gives to-day to the allegation that it would stoop to truckling with extremists. The Liberal Party is in line with Moderate Labour for “a sane constitutional Labour policy.” (P‘lbuishe<l By Arrangement.) &-2