The Wanganui Chronicle. " Nulla Dies Sine Linea." FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1009. THE LOVE OF " COMRADES."

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12165, 5 March 1909, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. " Nulla Dies Sine Linea." FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1009. THE LOVE OF " COMRADES."

.Some of tho recent discussions which Have.taken:place at the,meetings of tlis Wellington Trades and Labour Council have shownrfche public haw tbjese "comrades" in, the cause of Socialism love one another. Mutual recrimination., has waxed v.arm and allegations of selfseeking have Leon freely hinted across tho table. One "comrade." happened: to drop into a comfortable Government billet, apparently much to the discomfort and disappointment of all the oilier knights--of labour; Itenee the trouble. It would appear, however, 'that this particular brand- of selfishness is not peculiar to the distinguished agitators or this much-agitated Dominion. News to hand by the latest mail' indicates that over in tha Motherland, since Mr Grayson's outburst-in the House of Commons last session, there has boen constant and growing irritation between tho leaders of tho two sections of the Socialist party—those who, like Mr Ramsay Mac Donald and Mr Phi'ip Snowden, keep their Socialism in the background and aim at the control of tho trade union vote; and. those who, liko Mr Grayson, Mr Robert _B'atchford, and Mr Hyndman, yearn to wave tho Red Flag at every street coiner. Mr Grayson refused to speak from the samo platform as Mr Hardje, and as a consequence ho has been boycotted by tho officials of the Independent Labour Party, and tho affection ■that the "comrades'' have for each other may hs ga'tl*e'r,pd from ' the choice. collection of .epithets'- in which, they have indulged^ It would soein that a definite spliifin the Labour Party is almost certain, and, ta quote a London newspaper. "th>

split has a wide and important significance.. The Socialist papers are filled week after.week, with protests against the bureaucratic methods of the leaders. Practical politicians will raise that lead:rs must lead and must assert their authority. But surely their own autocrats should teach the rank-and-fiio Socialists some wisdom. When they have pulled down all persons, of high position and have reduced humanty to ono dead level, the dead level can only last for an infinitesimal time. ._ New lenders must arke who, because of their individual character's, will attain i-h& same position of influence as the old, loaders held before them. Authority is absolutely essential ( in the conduefc-r of humaii affairs, and ail that Socialism can eifect is a change for the worse in the men who exercise .authority. This is the main interest of the present Socialist split, though from it also one learns that the belief in Socialism does not destroy the power and desire to abuse and misrepresent one's fellows. Irdeed, a mere Unionist or Liberal could not possibly attain to the Socialist's exuberance of invective; Tn<& limitations of its leaders f nipTiasise the perils of Socialism. The goal is detestable. The men who propose to lead us there certainly dp not inspire confidence.",'^ Which1 Jliight hate, been written with «qual truths of t;he self-pfo-claimed "leaders" who poss as exponents of the doctrine of Socialism in this. Dominion. : ; %