MR KEIR HARDIE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2200, 26 May 1908, Page 4

MR KEIR HARDIE.

A WELCOME HOME,

ENTHUSIASTIC BECEPTION

Mr. Ivcir Hardio was accorded a great welcome home in London last month, nearly ten thousand peoples assembling in the Koyat Albert Hall lor the occasion. They came from Scotlnml, Wales and all parts oi England as well as from the metropolis, and they filled every seat m the vast building that could be sold. Some ot the boxer, and circle seats are privately owned and could not bo used, another instance, as Mr. Hami'oy -MacDonald pointed out, ot tho depravity of private ownership. W hen My. lvoir Hardio rose to speak lie received a magnUioient ovation, Probably novel .in its history has the Albert Hall echoed to such cheering, l'or a man who all his life has been a leader ot unpopular causes and forlorn hopes it. must have eomo as a revelation. The Uov. It. J. Campbell, who opened tho proceedings, said that the greatness of Air. Hardio did not consist in any*' desire lie had ’Qvcr had of rising out- of his class, of-becoming popular, or rich, or powerful. Ho could not bo bribed. Ills whole life had been one long labor in the cause of tho soberin'' and the oppressed. Ho hail stood alono like a. rock in tlyo face of gibes and jeers and persecution that might have daunted many a lesser mail. His sincerity had been tried by every possible test and had proved against temptation. Ho had liovor shirked an unpopular cause. Therefore they loved him. Mr. Harilie spoke lor about half an hour, and briefly reviewed us impressions of his world-tour, lie had, ho said, been accused of saying certain things concerning India and its reforms, but it would probably be news 0 to many people that every suggestion ho had made in days gome past had been the subject of 10presentations, speeches or promises •made in days gone past by respoimblo peoplo. They were to be found m proclamations made by -the. late Queen, by Viceroys, Governor, rulers, and other wise bo lon 0 as the savin" of all those things was confined to such people it did not matter Everybody knew they were impotent, no matter how good were their intentions to carry out the promises and pledges that had been given. But when a man wont out to sneak, not strangled with official led t-voe but with tho voice of the coming irresistible power in British politic. then it was a different matter indeed. Mr. Hardio also spoke of his visits to tho colonies, incidentally pay--1 i nK a high tributo to the Is.ew. Zealanclors tor tlio ability and courage with which they had « " social problems still unsolved m tho Old Country- ,