The Tail and the Dog.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14916, 14 March 1914, Page 10

The Tail and the Dog.

Last evening the Social Democratic leaders "were at some pains to enlighten those Oppositionists who are hoping, and in somo cases believing, that there is "much in common" between the Social Democrats and tho "Liberals." The chairman of the meeting was exceedingly angry at the request of tho Opposition for aid in returning to power, and speaking without any feeling either way, we must allow that the persistence with hvhich the anti-Reformers declare that the Social Democratic Party is only the tail of the "Liberal" dog, to use their own conciliatory phrase, would justify Jwrath in an even milder-tempered person than a

Social Democrat. Th© other speakers showed that they have kept their eyes very wido open; their study of "Liberal" zoology has been obviously careful and industrious. Mr James Thorn has given a good deal of attention, in particular, to thc member fot Avon, who, he has no doubt, will in time supplant his leader, but who has some severe limitations. He cannot, for example, so Mr Thorn says, convince anybody that Sir Joseph Ward is a progressive while Mr Massey is a reactionary. Mr Thorn has no love for Mr Massey, and perhaps no great love for the opinions of "The Press," but ho has been struck, as we havo been, by the queerness of the plea that tho Opposition policy cannot bo exposed to tho risk of being stolen. "If Mr Massey was good enough to " steal Sir Jospeh Ward's progressive "policy, why did not Mr Russell join "the Reform Government " Indeed, so little have tho local Opposition M.P.'s impressed otir Social Democrat friends that they fwere described last night as mere vote-catchers, even including "the independent Mr Isitt." It is perhaps just, but it is not very generous, to the member for Christchurch North to treat with so much disrespect his change cf attitude on the defence question. At the same time much may be forgiven to men who see their organisation and independence threatened by "progressives" acting in the interests of the.Opposition. The plain truth of the matter—

and last night's speakers showed with painful frankness that they havo not overlooked it—is that if they wish to secure the aid of the Social Democrats the "Liberal" party must come down with a full and nlain endorsement of

tho Social Democratic platform. It may come to that, as ono of their organs had admitted, and wo may be sure thatthe moderate men who formerly supported the Opposition will not swallow "re-created Liberalism" of that kind. Their course will be made very plain and easy by the fact that the present Government, as Mr Hordman showed in his excellent summary of its achievements during the past nineteen months, is ono which every honest" Liberal should support. However, our Opposition friends will probably continue to hop© that tho contemptible "tail," as it calls the Social Democratic paritf. will fail to recognise that a "Liberal" victory would leavo the party further than ever from amounting to anything. Wo can speak quite disinterestedly on this matter, because the Government cannot be defeated. The choice before the Social Democrats is tho choice between a small but 6fl!id representation as an independent pariy in the House and no representation at all, or at most only such representation as men like Sir J. G. Ward and Mr Forbes and Mr Wilford can bo considered to give it in Parliament.