Minority Rule

Maoriland Worker, Volume 13, Issue 36, 5 September 1923, Page 4

Minority Rule

The "Welfare" League, in one of its latest effusions, took up an attitude that would win it the commendation of any Anarchist society, and certainly of those unsociable individuals who desire to be a law unto themselves. It declared against the' principle of majority rule, and waxed eloquent about the sacred rights of minorities. According to the "League," the majority of dairy farmers have no right* to establish a compulsory dairy pool, if a minority vote against it, and a majority of genuine unionists have no right to prevent* a minority from forming a scab organisation if it so desired. Tho Worker occasionally has difficulty in believing in the L-atin maxim, "Vox populi, vox Dei," and the " League" need waste none of its time in convincing us that wisdom does not always reside in the majority, but we foresee some fantastic results if society conforms with the "League's" view, and not a little embarrassment for the "League" itself. To illustrate: If Mr. Massey actually gets a majority at the next elections, will he have no right to Impose his policy on the minority, and will the "League" protest if he declines ot legislate in accordance with, say, the platform of the minority who vote for the Labour Party? Who is to rule —the many or the few? If the minority is not to comply, is any social organisation possible? The "League's" theorisings (for reactionary ends in' the cases mentioned) would be all very well in an anarchist Arcadia based on the regenerate heart of all humanity, but at present—and this is the trouble—they have no relation to reality.