Two Australian Pamphlets

NZ Truth, Issue 771, 14 August 1920, Page 1

Two Australian Pamphlets

We have received from Ross's Bool< Service, Melbourne, copies of th< pamphlets, "One Big Crime," by Cornelius Crow, and "Revolution m Russia and Australia," by Robert S. Ross The first-named deals with what I 1 terms, m a sub-heading; "Startling Stories of Australian Crimes ant Corruption." The first of thes< Is "The Eureka Rebellion," followet by "The Kelly Gang'," the actions o: the "rebels" and th© "gang" are treatet ju/aympathetically by Mr. Crow, and tha fs about the best that can be said o: these chapters. The rest of the booklet is given over to what, by compart«on, Is a variorum of smaller fry, th< reading of which leaves a bad tasti In the mouth. Nevertheless, the pub? Ueatlon may further the propaganda m behoof of which it has obviouslj been issued. "Revolution m Rusalf A&d Australia/ is a, booklet ct Quite j

different type and not only claims but commands the reader's serious atten- . tion. The writer ia Robert S. Ross, wellknown m New Zealand, he having been for several years editor of the "Maoriland Worker." It is written m clear and incisive English; the points are well made and forcibly driven home". Mr. Ross is no bloody revolutionist, nor does he believe In the proletarian dictatorship. He believes m what used to be derisively described by dour democrats as Socialism by peaeemeaL Quite a large number of militant Socialists and Industrialists to-day will be Impatient with Mr. Ross's attitude, but that does not mean that he is necessarily wrong. He pleads for a careful study of both points of view, auoting as his authority for the need of such a study, the saying of John Stuart MIIL "The man who knows only one aide of a question, does not even know that." We fear that a great part of the weakness m the Labor and Socialist movement to-day arises just from this very want of knowledge of the other side of most questions. Mr. Ross's booklet may not convince those who have already made -up their minds on the opposite side, but to those who have . yet to decide his words will be thought-compelling if •not convincing, "Truth" bespeaks the booklet a wide ortoulaiion 4n >frw Zealand,