MR. J. KIER HARDIE. MP, ON LABOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13095, 7 February 1906, Page 3

MR. J. KIER HARDIE. MP, ON LABOUR.

Sir, Your issue of tho 3rd iast. contained a singular article by Air. Hardin. Let us examine it. lie bids us look forward to a. time when Labour, whatever that may mean, shall rule the world, tie thinks that* when Labour does so it will legislate " for all," not, merely for some; that, "poverty will disappear;" that the peace of the world will be assured; that kings, emperors, tsars, and nobles, and all such mischievous relics of the childhood of tho race* (which, of course t never existed in the childhood of the race) will bo swept into oblivion;" that liberty, fraternity, and equality will prevail; that "class will be. free from bondage to class" and nations to nations; that races of all colours will be left to work- out their own destinies; »nd that time and energies spent now in getting food and raiment, will then bo "freed for use in other and higher spheres of effort." Only think of it, sir! Is it not a bill oE fare to make one's mouth water? Those* " other and higher spheres of effort"what are they? Religion, philosophy, literature, the arts, sciences, sociology, or what? Echo answers, "What?" Let us' have another look at it. It really is worth it. First, "the rule of the worker is on its way"—then heaven help us all. Trades unionists even now claim preference in the labour market, and prevent many, old and young, from getting a living, so if Labour ever rules the world it will rule with a. rod of iron. Labour rulers may prove more tyrannical than kings and emperors. Second, Labour politics aim at the reorganisation of society on the basis of the public ownership of land and capital, and the co-operative production of such commodities as the community requires for 'its sustenance, comfort, and convenience." Which, being interpreted, means that, private land-owning, private capital-owning, and private wealth-production shall be confiscated to _ the State, and then administered bv socialists.

Third, Mr. Hardie soys: "Poverty shows no signs- of decay—nay, in Great Britain and the United States of America is a growing quantity." Which is not true. Sir Robert Giffin, in his "Economic Inquiries and Studies," and "The Old Pensions Committee Papers." refutes Mr. Hardie's statement as regards Britain; and Mr. Charles B. Spain* refutes it as regards the United Stales in his work on "The Present Distribution of Wealth in the United States." There never was a time in the history of Britain and .America when the working classed earned more real wages, fared better, lived longer, improved their position so gradually Tint surely, and had better prospects than now. The good time will .surely come unless socialism reduces society to chaos.

Fourthly, "Liberty fraternity, equality, is the battle-cry of the socialist movement. . . When Labour rules the world 4iofc only will (.lass be freed from bondage to class, but nations subjection to nations. . . . Mankind, whether bladk, white. or yellow, must, be left free to work out their own destiny by following the guidance of their own intuition," that is to say, by following nature, ignoring the supernatural. Pope Leo XIII. in his encyclical on Labour. Mr. Gladstone, and others, have truthfully said: "This question cannot lie settled without religion." No power on earth except? the Church can adjust the conflict of Labour and Capital. The wolf in the human heart cannot be expelled by Acts of Parliament or a socialist regime. It is not physical and material or brute force, but moral and spiritual force that vis required. The socialists are aiming at a brotherhood of man without recognition of the Fatherhood of God. Unless religion be the basis of all social, political, and industrial relations reformers will build upon sand. The last Lambeth Conference dealt with industrial problems. Probably the PanAnglican Congress of 1908 will do .so. Tho Roman Catholic Church h considering tho solution of these problems, and the hope is warranted that as years roll by the welfare of the toilers will be greatly satisfactorily, improved, on a surer basis than that proposer! by llr. J. Keir Ilardie and the Independent Labour party, which is a socialist, not a Labour organisation. F. G. EWI.VCTO.N-.