LOYALTY AND POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18180, 28 August 1922, Page 6

LOYALTY AND POLITICS.

Mere mention of the word " disloyal " in Parliament seems sufficient at the present time to commence a cross-fire of recriminations and accusations. There seems to exist a degree of sensitiveness on the point which is not entirely compatible with a conscience void of all sense of wrong. The occupants of the Labour benches have taken up the challenge with conspicuous heat. They have not, however, succeeded in making any clearer their attitude toward one or two questions which the great majority of people in New Zealaind regard as vital. There has beim cross-talk about what is true loyalty and what is not; there has been scorn poured upon too great a dependence upon outward forms. It may be granted that the outward observance of the ceremonial by which citizens usually acclaim their sense of membership in the British Empire is not necessarily a criterion of inward beliefs. The fervour with which a man joins in the National Anthem may not be significant of his loyalty to the throne and the Empire. But deliberate abstention from taking part in the outward forms may be highly significant. From that aspect there is a value in the forms and observances. Participation may cover many attitudes of mind; refusal to conform can connote but one. The members of the Labour Party, however, if they wish to make their position clear may do so very easily. The British Labour Party has pointed the way. It recently affirmed three things: That it would not waste its time over talk of a republic, that it was satisfied all its aims could be accomplished under the Constitution, and that it would not accept a policy dictated to it from Moscow. It is true the leaders of the New Zealand Labour Party do not affirm what British Labour has denied, but they support a programme, which still leaves several questions on the issue in doubt. They show themselves very sensitive to any suggestion about their essential loyalty. They are justified in doing so, for a charge of disloyalty is a serious thing in politics or anywhere ejse. But the matter is in their own hands. A specific declaration on the point would clear the air. They would still find their policy criticised for its political bearing, but they would not find it necessary to be springing so constantly to the alert over the question of loyalty and citizenship.