TDE INSENSATE "PARTY" SYSTEM TN PARLIAMENT 239 



all likely that Socialism, which has arisen as a menace to tlie 

 nation, would have developed its present aggressiveness ? 



Socialism, in some form or other, is perhaps nearly as old 

 as the human race, but Socialism, as we know it to-day, breeds 

 and tlirives best in the foul miasma arising out of the despair 

 and discontent of the people ; and whatever may be the out- 

 come of the intense political unrest of the present time, the 

 country's legislators will be wholly to blame for having per- 

 sistently s(|uandered their time in silly, petty wrangliugs and 

 senseless party strife, instead of wisely using it in the promotion 

 of national interests. 



Grave Debates degenerate into Party Wrangling 



The people of this country have become so accustomed to 

 the spectacle of party warfare in the House that a man now 

 enters the Strangers' Gallery more with the idea of witnessing 

 some " fun " than with the hope of hearing a debate on some 

 weighty national question conducted with that sense of grave 

 dignity and responsibility which should characterise all the 

 deliberations of the national representatives at Westminster. 



For the same reason a man scans his newspaper for the 

 day's parliamentary news more with the idea that he will find 

 something there to amuse him — a quip or sally from some smart 

 member of the Opposition and the caustic rejoinder of a Govern- 

 ment speaker — than with the belief that he will find there a 

 grave, sensible, and helpful debate on some question of national 

 importance. 



It does not, however, follow that this attitude on the part 

 of the public, regrettable though it is, is born either of apathy 

 in regard to national affairs, or of indifference to public needs. 

 It is an attitude born solely of the foolishness of party strife, 

 the pettiness of party wranglings, and the hopelessness of the 

 party system as practised to-day ; and if men look for amuse- 

 ment out of such a jumble, who shall blame them ? 



A few years ago, those who advocated reform in this direction 

 might have exclaimed with the prophet Elijah, " I, even I only, 

 remain a prophet of the Lord, l)ut Baal's prophets are four 

 hundred and fifty men," 



Men are Sick of Insensate Party Strife 



To-day there is a growing and widespread desire for reform 

 in respect to this party warfare, and, although it moves with 

 tardy steps, it will surely come in time. 



The party principle, within certain limitations, is necessary 

 in State interests, but the party principle as practised to-day is 



