LIBERALISM, LABOUR AND FOLLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 250, 19 October 1908, Page 4

LIBERALISM, LABOUR AND FOLLY.

s It is not likely that the House of Commons will suffer either in _gnity or authority from the efforts of Mr Victor Grayson. But it is a great pity for the reputation of the party which this eccentric enthusiast is supposed to represent that he should constantly bring it before •the public in so unpleasant a light. However much a man may deplore the existence of poverty, and however sincerely he may sympathise with the unemployed, he does not help their cause by insulting everybody who fails to agree with his choice of remedy, or by denouncing Parliament as a den of murderers. It is hysterical rant of this sort that has done more than anything else to alienate sympathy from the cause of social reform. We are glad to observe that the Parliamentary Labour party has formally dissociated itself from Mr Grayson and his ravings, and has indirectly expressed some confidence in the intentions of the Liberal Government to deal with the prevailing industrial distress by legitimate nnd constitutional means. It is true enough and deplorable enough that the present organisation of society and the existing distribution of wealth leave a great deal to be desired. But men who refuse to assist in a good work 'because they cannot have their own way, or who scornfully reject half-measures because they cannot get everything they want at once, dd infinite harm to the cause which they profess to aid. As a fluent, irresponsible and vituperative demagogue of the most advanced "Socialist" type, Mr Victor Grayson is an interesting phenomenon; , but his insane excesses in sentiment and speech render him as dangerous to friends as to foes. And the moral of his case may not, we trust, be altogether thrown away upon certain agitators nnd extremists of his class in Australia and New Zealand.