SOCIALISM THE THEME.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9118, 18 June 1908, Page 4

SOCIALISM THE THEME.

Just now the Dominion, the hemisphere, the world, is discussing, condemning-, acclaiming: socialism. Votaries are elucidating its "true canons," and declaimers are exposing its fallacies. In the hurly-burly of it all the real explanation of the modern awakening to socialistic necessity is overlooked. The learned ones regard themselves as solo po^s.ssors of the key to a better society basis, while the average nnn of to-day--many, many years in advance of his prototype of yesterday -sees in himself the saviour of humanity from self-wrought social destruction. Day by day the nuntal advancement of nations becomes accelerated, and louder becomes the social strife. 'flu clamour will subside in the fullness of time, and mortality will prove itself the same adaptable genus as of old, and if Bellamy's ideal is not ultimately realised wc shall advance as far in the idealistic direction as it is safe for human natuie, fickle and capricious, to venture. The masses are becoming educate! to their true station, and inevitable upheavals are the consequence. But a sane comprehension of effectual methods has distinguished the high-minded, practical schemer from the dynamic, unpractical dreamer, and we in New Zealand

can justly claim that our little socialistic "ruffles" are the safety valves of any pent-up force which might get ahead of our caution. It is trite knowledge that it is much easier to digress fifty paces than progress one, and we can overlook lapses. Workers should, however, move guardclly, and make for quiet and substantial endeavour rather than for ostentatious and disturbing effort.