MR. KEIR HARDIE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2210, 14 October 1907, Page 1

MR. KEIR HARDIE.

[To the Editob.]

Sir, —Inasmuch as rtho Mayor of Wellington has expressed Ilia intention (in which ho has the approval or all the members of rtho Council) of giving Mr. Keir H'ardio a public aelcomo to our shores, and as there is soino talk of tendering him a public banquet in Auckland, it seems superfluous for me to say anything further on the question of his reception ; but I cinnot possibly leave the field of debate with any feeling of honor — especially as juatico is on my side—without making a few more remarks rendered necessary by “C.G.P.’s last lototr. ' His formidable array of arguments contained dn that letter are remarkable for two things—their sophistry, and their expression of liiu tendency to bo too conclusive with regard to his deductions. It ‘is decidedly illogical for him to infer that tile national desires of the Hindoos are expressed in the attitude of their rul-

ing princes, whose heaviest responsibilities resit on tlio shoulders of the British Government, becauso they have signified their willingness to aid ihe British Government in suppressing any insurrections. He might as well say, and with as much hope of being believed, that Irishmen do not want Home Rule becauso tlie sons of Irishmen, tho’Royal Irish Constabulary, assist in enforcing English'law in Ireland: The 'Hindoos, it is not

necessary to remind “C.G.P.,” wore created by the same God that created us, endowed with tho same faculties,

feelings, hopes, and aspirations, are entitled' to tho same privileges that wo enjoy, as appreciative of freedom and liberty,, and as strong in their desire to have some say in the government of their country, .as wo ourselves are.

My reason for assorting that the Hindoos hate tho British worse than one another is based on tho statement of a Mr. Mitra in an article in “The Nineteenth-Century,” entitled, I believe, “Discontent in India,” and on my own observations of tlie trend of recent events in the Orient. Mr. Mitra makes the following statement: —“Tho Oriental recognises the virtues of liis silent, haughty master; but- ever at tlie bottom of.his heart lies the patient, deep disdain.” From tho rapid rise of the Japanese, and the facility and swiftness with which they are carrying out their plans in Korea and Manchuria (where the untactful, grasping policy of Russia miserably failed), -and with which they will continue to carry them out, provided they do not seek tlie exploitation of Korea and .Manchuria for sordid purposes, I dedupe tho fact that the Orient is beginning to resent the domination of the Occident because of the rapidly growing consciousness of its equality. Another. remarkable fact about “C.G.P.” is his apparent cheap estimate of the Hindoo mind and character. He does not seem to realise for a moment that the condition which would be intolerable to ua cannot also be intolerable to them. I would ask “G.C.P.” to take a sentimental and humane view' of the question, and to feel that sympathy and interest for the Hindoo which is due from one human being to another. There is no human breast which is not susceptible to human kindness, and no more ennobling feeling than tho consciousness of

liberty. Just as slavery and oppression develop all that is ‘base and ireacherous in a man, so does freedom and independence uplift him. The most regrettable fact about

“C.G.P.” is tho sad mistako lie makes, ilike the egotist, in surveying the rest of humanity through the wrong end of tho telescope. In conclusion, I sincerely hope that my expressions on this question will not bo miseoustrued into a feeling of disloyalty or hostility towards England. I am proud of tho fact that I am a thorough Britisher; hut, at -tho same time, I cannot see tho justice of withholding -from other British subjects the privileges that we enjoy in Australasia. The son iv-lio endeavors to preserve the .peace and stability of his home by deprecating the persecution .by his father of a near neighbor cannot he called traitor or ingrato; and the men wljp deserve our greatest affection and support -are those who aim at furthering tlie greatness of our Empire by .attempting to reotify her .mistakes. This is just what anen like Keir Hardie are doing ; and whether wo receive him with silence or applause, or turn him insulted from bur shores, is, I fancy, a matter of very little concern to him, who, serene .and happy in tli 0 consciousness that he is striving for rtho amelioration of the masses, is never .perturbed by the .attacks of those who can appreciate neither his motives nor his work.—l am, etc., Gisborne, Oct. 13. -P.J.H.