AFTER THE BATTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 144, 20 June 1910, Page 6

AFTER THE BATTLE.

MR T. TAYLOR INTERVIEWED. AUCKLAND EAST IMPRESSIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) CHRISTCHURCH', this day. Mr T. Taylor, interviewed on his return bo Christchurch, said that Messrs McBride, McLaren and himself went to Auckland at the urgent and almost unanimous invitation of the Labour leaders in Christchureh and of the executive of the Labour party in Auckland. With regard to the split in the Labour ranks, he said that before the election there was every intention to give effect 10 the selection of Mr McXniglit by the mass meeting of unionists, but the day after the selection jjrominent unionists objected that Mr McKnight was opposed to statutory preference to unionists, that he was a "three-fifths" man, and a "'State controller" on the liquor question. Mr McKnight promptly agreed to sign the Labour party's platform when questioned on these points, but, said Mr Taylor, his sudden conversion on matters of vital importance failed to give the bulk of the workers confidence in his candidature. At a meeting of unionists, held subsequently, a deputation was appointed to ask Mr McKnight to withdraw. Mr McKnight declined, and the unions, "with one exception, decided to ignore his candidature and nominate Mr Davis.

Mr TayWr continued that there was no real division in Labour rsnks, as the election figures showed. The feeling 04 those who supported- the Labour candidate was one of satisfaction. The fight was a fierce one. He had never seen such -an array of motor-cars, carriages and other conveyances as were at the disposal of.. Mr Myers. His friends made a frenzied fight, and if they had had 48 hours instead of ten they could not have raked out of Auckland jSast another dozen votes in support of their man. In the brief time at their disposal, the Labour party were not able to make an effective canvass, and they had but little money at their disposal. Referring to Mr Davis, Mr Taylor said he was a line type of working man, but had no Mayoral record to boast of. '■Auckland," he continued, "to a greater extent than perhaps any other city in New Zealand, is possessed of commercial ambitions. I think she is justified believing that it is her destiny to become the chief commercial centre of the Dominion. Mnny business men supported Mr Myers because they regarded him as the gnurdian of the city's commercial interests."

Mr Taylor described the contest in Auckland East as the forerunner of Labour challenges in every electorate in New Zealand.

Mr. Mcßride, on . his return to' Christchurch, made some explanation to a reporter in connection with his suggested candidature for Auckland East. "When I arrived in Auckland," he saia, "1 had not the faintest idea of being connected with any nomination. I, with others, wished, if possible, to bring out a local Labour candidate, and, at the same time, to bring about an understanding with the local workers. I simply announced that if it was impossible to select a local man, the seat should no-t be given to Mr. Myers without at least an educational contest, recognising that in England and elsewhere representatives are often chosen from other constituencies. As a matter of fact, one of the principal objects of oxlr visit to Auckland was to endeavour to unify the workers there. I think we succeeded to some extent in removing misunderstandings. It remains to be seen what action will be taken at the conference to be .held in Auckland duringthe coming , months The last conference of Federated Labour was held at Wellington. At a meeting of the Conference Executive of the Trades and Labour Council, Auckland was empowered to draft the objective and platform for the New Zealand Labour party, which will be discussed at the coming meeting in the Northern city. 1 believe the votes polled by Mr. Myers, the Independent Liberal candidate, and Mr. Hill, the Conservative candidate, taken together, indicate about the full strength of the two bid parties under the most favourable circumstances, even when the two parties are completely fused in Auckland East. It is expected thai in future m almost every constituency in New Zealand the Progressive Labour party will poll the Labour vote, the Progressive Liberal vote, the Socialist vote, the Prohibition vote, and the Humanitarian vote."