BENNETTITES AND MTLLSITES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 57, 7 March 1913, Page 6

BENNETTITES AND MTLLSITES.

(To the Editor) Sir,—lf "Phimbob" .will read the report of the debate between Air Scott Bennett and Mr W. T. Mills, he will perceive that every objection raised by the first-named gentleman has been deleted from the unity proposals now before the workers for adoption. I do not wonder that the eloquent Socialist approves of a programme with a Socialist objective; I do wonder at the change of front by the followers of Mr 'Mills. Not endorsing by a long way all Mr Scott Bennett's views, I am not concerned to defend him or the "Bennettites." In fairness I should say, however, thai upon the only occasion I ever questioned him in public he and the audience were moet courteous.— I am, etc., LIBERAL-LABOURITE. (To tbe Editor.) Sir,—ln answer to "PlunrboVs" letter, under the heading of "Benn«ttitee and Milleitee," I beg to remind him we have had stirring political (and industrial) times before Mills, Semple, Bennett, or the IJW.W. came here, and we look like having it after they are gone. I yet to learn of anyone .who has prophesied the day when the social revolution -will arrive. They would have to fall back on the old answer, "As soon ac you and everybody etee join us," etc. And again, if "Unity" is Semple's trump, card, then I believe it is a "King," and the only one left for the others to play is the "Knave." And as for the changes that have taken place eince the little professor arrived, they prove that he has been -working .whilet some of the talent hes only been talking, and if the change has t>een detrimental to working class interests, then it ie up to "Plumbob" to shew us in what respects. And as for Mcbstb Wateih and Black, they are not entered in thie race, co we need not diecues them. Regarding Bennett and Mills, they did not face each other like two tigere, but like two men, each putting hie views and opinions personally before a public audience, not like "Plumbob," who hits a blow under a nom-de-plueie. If "Plumbob" had the courage of his convictions, he ought to challenge Bennett or Mills, and I have an idea after the debate, "Plumbob" would receive no hero-worship, nor feel like a hero either, and he would get first-hand information that Bennett has never at any time opposed Parliamentarism. Aβ for the bunglings of the Waihi executive, that same 'bungling is .carried on in all countries, and in all organisations, and it will occur for a long time to come, so Waihi is no exception. Having myself attended many of Bennett's lectures, I always heard Bennett answer questions in a gentlemanJy manner—that is, often different from the way they were asked. Se«ing I study psychology, I would advise "Plumbob" to give the featherbrained Bennetiitee some of the lead out of his own brains, and that would also lead to what he objects to, "Unity and a balance of power," and perhaps then he might be able to think for hhn«elf.—l tun, etc., LUKE SHARP.