SIR JOHN GORST ON SOCIAL REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 46, 18 November 1907, Page 7

SIR JOHN GORST ON SOCIAL REFORM.

*— Sir John Gorst, a former member of ■ a Unionist Government, lectured a gathering of Socialists on thoir futuro courso of action at Edinburgh (says a recent London " ISxpress ") under tho auspices of tho Independent Labour Party. " Neither n Tory nor a Liberal Government has gratified tho wishes of tho people of this country for social reform," ho said. " Being almost cnthe well-to-do olasßo3, they are not impressed by tho necessity of reform. Now you havo a strong Labour party acting as an admirable spur and whip, which has alroady achioved great things. Two great cbubcs— poverty and ignorance— prevent tho supremacy of tho democracy in this country. If we had an instructed democracy, which knew its own interests and would not ho hoodwinked and bamboozled by the arts of politioians,\there is no reason why wo should not havo a population like the Swiss or tho Now Zealaiiders, living hnppy lives and adding to tho strength and glory of tho country." Sir John Gorst advised tho Labour party to keop itself distinct from other parties. " You now havo a Cabinot Minister, ho said, amid laughter, " but if tho Labour party is to bo made a stopping stono €o political office it will soon cease to exist as on indopondont party."