Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30th., 1931. AFTER THE POLLINGS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 October 1931, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30th., 1931. AFTER THE POLLINGS.

T° explain away a reverse is often difficult; and when such defeat becomes a rout, the task is impossible. British Socialists are making feeble efforts to account for their disaster at the polls, but none of these explanations is convincing. The Labour newspaper, the ‘ ‘ Daily Herald” candidly admits that the Party has received a good hiding. That attitude is more statesmanlike and “British” than the puerile statements by Mr. A. Henderson and other Reds. To attribute to “panic” among the electors, their overwhelming rejection of the Socialists is not very complimentary to those workers and trades unionists w'ho had, hitherto, supported Labour. The real explanation of the Red rout is their policy of extravagance, and a recognition by the nation that Socialism, in practice, means ruin, however attractive it may be in theory. Significance must also be attached to the enthusiasm displayed!

by London crowds, when the King [ and other members of the Royal family made their first public appearance after the result of the pollings was known. The King’s popularity and London’s loyalty, of course, have never been questioned, but such demonstrative scenes, as occurred on Wednesday evening, on the Royal visit to a theatre, were unusual. Evidently, the occasion was seized by the populace, to emphasise the unity between King and nation, and to demonstrate against the Socialism, and Communism, which are incompatible with the Throne. Of late years, a mild form of Socialism has become tolerated, but the fact should not be overlooked that the inevitable result of a Socialist triumph would be the downfall of the Monarchy. No country, and no Empire, can have the two. A Socialist must be a republican, or something more “advanced.” He cannot be true to his political creed, and to his King, at the same time. If it is argued that

many in the Empire lands who now claim to be Socialists, are loyal, and would uphold the Monarchy, the reply is that they are not really Socialists, and the sooner they realise that, the better for themselves, and their countries. •The reception abroad of the election results, has been cordial, and the friendliness of the relations between Britain and other Powers, and especially with the United States, should be increased. This concord must have important effects on international affairs, and should help to regain for Britain some of her recently lost prestige. The experiment of a National Government in power during peace time, will be followed with close interest, and the results may upset some long-held political party theories. The present position leaves a wide field for conjecture, and prophets will be plentiful, but little that is spectacular is likely to happen, meanwhile.