MR KEIR HARDIE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9117, 24 December 1907, Page 1

MR KEIR HARDIE.

ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND. AN INTERVIEW. [Fbom Our Co**BSPOND*mr.] AUCKLAND, December 23. Mr Keir Hardie,. M.P., arrived m Auckland by the Manuka from Sydney last night. This morning a " Star " re porter interviewed the famous Laboir member, but he could not be induced to 6peak on the politics or politicians of the countries he has visited. His reticence stands in sharp contrast to the ready public expressions of previous English Labour visitors. He refused to be draw-n into any jcomparisons or to commit himself on (controversial subjects, saying that the object of his visit was rather to learn and become conversant with the problems of the " Empire overseas. " Mr Keir Hardie' was highly impressed with Australia, which, he said, he regarded as a country of great possibilities. Before it could oe thoroughly opened up, however, its present land laws woula need drastic alteration. Asked liow he would propose coping with the land problems, Mr-Bardic replied that it was essential that Austra-. lia should place a penalising tax on the absentee landlord and a, progressive ta^ on all estates over a reasonable size. ,jji ; What is the limit at wliich you would} have the landowner exempted from *£: graduated tax? Mr Hardier was asked, -i "If such tax were brought into;; operation on all estates of over acres," was the reply, "it would ten.i to break up the larger holdings, which^ in the majority of cases, include "^he very best land. More money will also ; require to b© spent for irrigation purposes in those districts where tlio effect**; of drought are most often felt." " Australia," said Mr Hardie, just on the eve of a new development by a more definitely avowed socialisae policy. They appear to have reached the end of palliative measures in xue Commonwealth. The Wages Boards and Arbitration Courts have proved, and will continue to prove useful, especiall.^. in their application to sweated iudu&i tries." Asked whether he considered that sweating did exist in the Australian' capitals, as recently alleged in such Aliphatic terms by Messrs Ramsay Macdonald and Ben Tillet, the English Labour leader replied that there wav plenty of sweating both in Melbourne and Sydney, although, of course, it was nothing like what they were accustomed to at Home. Where the practice did exist in Australia, Mr Keir Hardie added, it was mostly confined to the unskilled labouring class. Qestioned as to what ho thought of the proposal to i institute compulsory military training in the colonies, Mr, Keir Hardie said that at Home they were opposed to all methods of compul-' sory militarism., He refused to be drawn into an expression of opinion of Australia's new military and naval defence schemes. Mr Hardie was also chary about touching on the question of immigra^ tion, but said that when the land was more thoroughly opened up there would be a bigger inrush of immigrants. "Socialism is flourishing at Home," said Mr Hardie. " The excitement that its growth is causing amongst the ranks of its opponents gives ample proof ofihaiir* ■ " .. '"^Tt The Labour party at Home did not readily favour the preferential suggestions of the colonies. Referring to Australia's protective tariff, Mr Hardie said it was to be regarded as a most interesting experiment. There were two points to be tested, however— its working ability • and whether it was constitutional. On the latter point the law courts would be; called upon to decide. Speaking on the aim of Spciajisrh, Mr Keir Jlardie said the end in view was to converge land and industrial capital into public property. Tnis and the organisation of industry on the basis of production for use, and not for profit, was the economic basis of Socialism. To-night Mr Keir Hardie will meet some of the Auckland Labour party. To-morrow he will proceed to Rotorua. After visiting Wellington, he- will return on January 5 to Australia, ihence he will proceed to South Africa, an route for England, thus completing a tour over the greater part of the Empire.