“HUMANISM” IN AUSTRALIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5948, 11 July 1906, Page 4

“HUMANISM” IN AUSTRALIA

Tho value of catchwords has begun to bo realised by politicians. A cable message in this issue reports Sir William Lyne, tho Australian Minister of Customs, aa having defined himself as “ a Humanist and a State Socialist.” He was evidently in a phraseological mood, for he defined State Socialism as “ freetrade defeated.” Of course, such an ardent protectionist as Sir William Lyue might have been expected to find his fiscal creed vitally concordant with everything which he deems beneficent in politics, but we are not concerned to go into the very deep and decidedly attractive question of how far the recognition of a well-ordered national selfcompleteness such aa underlies the advocacy of protection finds an answering note in the national unity and indivisibility which the State Socialist makes the basis of his faith. ,

Australia is so torn by conflicting rjolitical interests, by plain Tories. Labour freetraders, Labour protectionists, Progressives with a sound platform, Socialists who demand impossibilities, and anti-Socialists who defy comprehension, that the cause of pure Liberalism is almost lost in the tempest. A label 1, s o crystalled a position, and saved a

situation many times in the history of British politics, and tho mere word “ Humanist ” is likely to prove the salvation of tho Progressive party in Australia. Its ready adoption by Australian politicians is a tribute to its aptness as tho best covering definition of tho multiform legislation which represents the trend of our political progress during tho late Premier’s regime. “Humanism,” in tho Seddonian sense, is State Socialism quickened by the human and personal note of cave for the unprotected and unarmed, and it possesses tho merit of explaining “ Socialism ” without retaining the flavour of anarchy which, long criuoiii has associated with that word. Sir William Lyno is a responsible) member of tho Cabinet, and it may reasonably be expected that his adoption of our late Premier's phrase may load to tho Donkin Government fighting the elections on a basis of “ Humanism.” What possible countercry Mr llci d may adopt is beyond conjecture. Ho will hardly ho bold enough to fight tho battle of “ anti-Humanism,” but there appears to be no other phrase open to him.