A WAVE OF LOYALTY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 21 October 1918, Page 3

A WAVE OF LOYALTY

CHANGE OF TONE IN AUSTRALIA

The wave of loyalty demonstrations which, is passing over Australia may be the result of the improved war situation, but it is more likely a natural popular revolt against the treasonable activities of a small but busy body of extremists, and pacifists which we unfortunately cherieh in the Commont wealth, writes the Wellington Post's Sydney correspondent. Sydney has been the headquarters of the and it is in Sydney that that loyalist revolt'may most clearly be discerned. The unfortunate thing is tltat there exists no organisation carrying a measure of authority which may gather up this growing public sentiment and weld it into a powerful force that is so needed in public affairs. A number of "movements" have been started by well-meaning people lately to counteract the disloyalist activities. For instance we have "The King's Men" and "The VigUants"—the objects of both of which, are to stimulate loyalty and protect Australia,, irrespective of sect or party. Although neither of these, is the organisation of bold and clean-cut purpose that is so badly needed, the people have come forward in astounding numbers to support them, and the meetings have been most enthusiastic. So with other bodies, some associated with churches, some with, propaganda societies. The pity of at is that these spontaneous demonstrations of loyalty and determination to protect the honour of Australia should be left in the air, as it were. The Govern- ! ments should .lead—but the atmosphere m which government is carried on in this country is so vitiated with the poison of party politics'and petty intrigue that the great middle class between the extreme Conservatives and extreme Socialists simply nolds aloof and goes on its way. * ' L . . A eign of the loyalist revolt is to b© seen in the Labor Party itself. The Labor ballet, as to whether or not the party shall countenance further recruit- j Jng, is being vigorously objected to by some powerful unions. In fact, those who are opposed to it compose the majority of the Labor bodies which have so far expressed no opinion. Nine leading Labor members of the Federal Parliament have also come boldly gut m. opposition to it. There are signs already that the extremists whose scheme this is are getting "cold feet" over it. Tlie Sydney Labour Council hag recommended that, as the ballot has been "interfered with" by the Federal Government, the arrangements be discontinued. The "interference" consists of the issue of leaflets against the ballot by the new Directorate of War Propaganda 1