The Active Few

Abstract

In later years, when John Hargrave was asked to account for the manner in which Social Credit had been introduced to the Kibbo Kift he usually suggested that he had worked from a deliberate, long-term plan, which involved the doctrine being introduced to the Kindred through ‘successive doses’ (see, for example, From Kinsman to Greenshirt, London, 1935). The search for new and credible solutions to which the actions of the Kindred might be directed had, in fact, been part of its experience as a social movement from the departure of the Co-operators onwards. Wallace (1956, p. 274), discussing the changing ideologies of social movements notes that ‘In most instances the original doctrine is continually modified by the prophet, who responds to various criticisms and affirmations by adding to, emphasising, playing down, and eliminating selected elements of the original visions.’ Hargrave always claimed that his continual adjustments were consciously directed towards the introduction of Social Credit. It seemed, even at the time, suggested Paul-Jones, a Hargrave-loyalist but reluctant Social Creditor, a ‘little ex post facto rationalisation’. These were claims, which threatened ‘as it were, to write off the original formative period of the Kibbo Kift as something which was basically past, to the great regret of people who had enjoyed it enormously’.

We have the best of revolutionary organisations — one of selfdisciplined members, with an acknowledged leader.

(The Flail)