THE Inangahua Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1913. WHEN LABOUR NAMES THE JUDGE.

Inangahua Times, 14 May 1913, Page 2

THE Inangahua Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1913. WHEN LABOUR NAMES THE JUDGE.

PLATO built up his famous work, " The Republic," on the basis of a definition of truth. He aimed at absolute justice—justice that did right to all men/and evil lo rnnne that were deserving in merit. To~diy the position is changed. A certain section of the Labour parly has openly proclaimed, that it is not justice it is wanting—it is preference. The Mills—Semple combination are now issuing what are called " Unity Bulletins " which are sent out somewhat like po*iti> i cal pilot balloons. The writer is solely responsible for the opini ons expressed, if they differ with the platform of the party. One of these lately published, how* ever, had a somewhat startling aim. It was nothing more or less than an advocacy of Labour justice, "If," says the bulletin, "Arbitration has gained much for Labour with the employers and land monopolists in control, j wlut will it do for Labour when I Labour writes the law and names the judges?" This is a plain | statement of the case for Labour, and it is one, we fear that will do the Federation cause as much | harm as did Mr Hickey's "To i h—l with agreements." Labour • tr>cla'y'has^'orli ■ the' benches in New Zealand, brilliant examples ofi's class. Two of our best magistrates haye risen from the ranks of the mining community, and one or two of our judges 'worked hard with their hands before they worked w ; th their head. These however, are not " class conscious - that su< premely silly phrase, which more than anything else,, marks the injustice of the " militant "section of the labour community. If we have had " class conscious " judges, where comes in our boasted British justice ? Are they to take their decisions from the Executive of the Labour Conference, or are they to be named by a union secretary ? Is the judge to take the position of a referee in a football match, but unlike the referee, nominated by one party, No one would do more i to advance the just claims of the Labour party than would this journal. But there is a sense of fair play among all tho.e of British birth which would make a football team scorn to nominate its own referee again and again against all others. No man of honour would, unless he were greedy or blinded by self esteem, sit in judgment on his own case. Our sources of jus»ice in the past have on the whole, been f from stain. Shall we pollute them now ?