THE TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL CANDIDATES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 284, 30 November 1896, Page 2

THE TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL CANDIDATES.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—lo the leading article of the Star of Saturday, under the heading of "The Split in the Liberal Votes," you mention, in referring to tha conference convened by the Knights of Labour some time since to consolidate the labour party in Auckland, that that Conferenca fell through owing to the withdrawal of the delegates repreaantinf,' the Tradea and Labour Council, bat you do not state the reason why the Council decided to withdraw their delegates. Among the organisations represented at fehaS Oonferenco were delegates from She Ground Rent) Leaguo (or single iasera). and thß Council, after receiving the report of their delegates, took exception to that body beintr included oa the ground that Birdie taxers could noo be classed as a boria fide section of the labour party. As you mention the action taken by the Trade* Council in this matter, ib is only fair to the Council that thia explanation should be made public. The conference scheme falling through, the Tradea Council decided — especially after the encouragemenb fchey had roeaivod at the laafc general election—to eelecb one of their members as labour representative, and reaffirmed tha selection of Mr John Fawcus, who was unanimously chosen both by tha Tr&deß Council and fehe Worlcura League. After Mr Fawcu<j' selection had been made public, what do wo find? The Liberal Association, who had rejected the Council's selection (Mr Tudehopo) Bt the last general elecbion, and unfairly treated Mr Fawcua at the byelaction, coming to the front gushing with eympatky for the working man. They commenced by calling a public meeting of workers to nominate a labour candidate whan there was already one in the fiold. After the treatment the Counsil had received from that body in tho past, it decided not to allow Mr Fawcus to be nominated, as they intended to tub him alone against all comers. It is true thab he was nominated by a member of the Council, bufe thab was done in a private capacity, and, therefore, did uot pledge the Council. In your reference to one of tho largosb soeeiiaga of organised and unorganised labour held in St. Jamea' Hail leas than 400 persons book parb in the voting, the numbers bein^ Rosser 217, Regan 86, Fatterioa 75, — total.

Aa regards bhe split in tho Liberal vote ihab charge cannot be laid to the Trades and Labour Council, bub rather to that eection of bho Liberal Party who have all of a eudden taken ao deep an interest in the welfare of tbe working man.—l am, etc.,

W. C. Fraser, Vico-Preaidenb A.T.L.G