The Opposition's Allies.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15121, 10 November 1914, Page 6

The Opposition's Allies.

Our Opposition friends are showing fresh signs of anxiety to win back tho support of the moderate men who formerly voted against tho Reform Party, tfUt who have learned much since 1911. These electors care more for genuine Liberal principles than for parties or labels, and .they have during the past three years witnessed a- finer and. more substantial body of progressive legislation placed upon the statute book by tho present Government than was achieved by the Ward Government during its whole term of office. Hardly Jess important in their eyes is the fact that the Opposition have throughout tho past two and a half years played tho game of the Rod Feds. The two principal Opposition newspapers—those of Wellington and Chrietchurch—havo declared definitely, when the Red Feds, were at ihe height of their influence, that official "Liberalism" and the Federation of Labour woro so closely akin that their objectivo was, one and tho same. When the Waihi strike was on, and the Red Feds, were establishing a-reign of tenor in that town, tho "Liberals" looked on complacently. The Rod Fed. candidates in the House have supported Sir J. G.. Ward through thick and thin. Mr P. C. Webb has frankly declared, as one who is anxious to see the Red Feds, lifted up again, that ho dosires Sir Joseph Ward's return to office, During the striko tho attitude and the utterances of the Leader of tho Opposition, the Opposition members, and the Opposition newspapers, greatly encouraged the syndicalists in their war. on the community. And now tho "Liberals" and tho,Rod Feds, aro working liand-in-hand, although prior engagements and special circumstances which tho Opposition leaders could not explain without embarrassment, have necessitated the spoiling, in somo cases, of tho perfect harmony of the allianco between »Sir J. G. Ward's and Mr Semple's partievs.

But the Social-Democrats, tho Opposition are explaining, arc not Socialists, not Red Feds. —indeed, not- SocialIXomocrats «it all. but good, sound Liberals. Wo are asked not to inenton the' Red Fods., and the public is assured that "the handful of revolutionary ex"tremiste have been practically 'driven "out of the .Labour movement." Before they can believe this, the moderate majority of the community will wish o know why the "Labour movement' 3 is being entirely managed by the men who managed the Federation and aided tho strike. Mr D. G. Sullivan is the President of the Federation of labour, being placed in that position", as Messrs Semple and Hickey carefully explained ■3fe-^k^-P oi:^orCDCC J merely as a tempo-

rary tactical expedient. Mr Holland is (.ho official Labour candidate for "Wellington North, chosen by tho same forces which havo put forward'Mr D. McLaren. Mr Hunter -was tho lojcal Jled T'cd. leader during the strike. Mr IP. C. Webb is the only serious rival Mr j Semplo h;ks over had in tho syndicalist I chieftainship. Indeed, the "Labour movement" has everywhere put fonvard prominent Rc<l Fed, loaders and orators as candidates. So lately as Sunday, Messrs Somplo and I'arrj - , in this city, appeared ns the election agents of tho "Labour movement." -svith tho Labour candidate for Christeniircb. liast as iheir servitor. The public knows well enough the mm a;id the policy upon whom tho Opposition are depending. ' "What tho community is ;il>out to s< :e i> an attack by the Ro<l Fods. and '•Liberals"' upon its political liberties, just as lest ye;»r it saw rtho so mo combination ranged against its s-fK ; ia| and commercial freedom. Just a> the wtrlier attack was defeated, so wii! t!ie new attack fail.