CLASS LEGISLATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 290, 6 December 1929, Page 6

CLASS LEGISLATION

WHICH SHALL IT BE? Politics hero and in tho old country in the past has always produced parties divided on fundamental differences on National importance, such for instance as free trade and protection, freehold and leasehold tenures or matters of foreign policy, but in recent years there has come on the scenes a party which openly and of declared purpose, advocates Legislation on purely clasi lines. This party has assumed the name of “Labour” while it is admittedly Socialist in its objective and has gained its strength by advocating a policy in the sole interests of one class and promising legislative attack on another class—in short the National weal is being subordinated to purely class interests. This is very plainly shown in the recent “Labour” Party Conference in England Class First. The executive brought down a proposal to broaden tho basis of membership by admitting “National associate members” at a guinea per annum. That is persons who were not usually identified with tho “wage earners” movement, but who were willing to support it. This was objected to and thrown out, and the majority showed quite clearly in the discussion that they were determined to make and keep tho party a class party, and not allow the so-called “black coats” w’orkors to join The incident is instructive as it was quite in tone with the whole attitude of the Conference which showed clearly, that it is a grave error to imagine that the Socialist Labour Party's present pose of moderation is at all likely to be permanent. It must also be remembered that, by defeating this proposal the conference declared for a tight party discipline, so that it will be able to completely reverse the present moderation when it attains actual majority in Parliament. A Warning To Us. This incident should be noted here, in New Zealand, for our SocialistLabour party is also playing the moderation game its members are good fellows and able men expressing such moderate views, that electors are apt to think there is no great danger in their creed, but like the English party, our Socialists have their hard and fast constitution by which they are bound hand and foot, and it pronounces a policy in favour of one clas,s and straight out to despoil another class, National wellbeing does not come into it, and if they gain a working majority their class machine must come into action. The Fraud Exposed. It is almost amusing how easily these tactics can be exposed. When Mr Herbert Morrison, M.P., President of the Labour Party conference at Brighton opened the proceedings he, besides declaring the party’s unalterable intention to “bring in the Socialist Commonwealth” emphasised how Mr MacDonald had * ‘convinced the country that Labour wa B a party of the nation and not tho instrument of a section,” yet the very next day this same conference threw out the proposal to broaden the basis of membership on the ground that it would destroy its “class character. ’ ’ The alleged “National” attribute of the party was well advertised; the other was not. It is the same here; moderate opinions well broadcasted and put before electors, the real class policy is kept in the dark. (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League.)