TRAMWAY BOARD VACANCY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21721, 2 March 1936, Page 17

TRAMWAY BOARD VACANCY

TO THE EDITOR Ot THE PRESS. Sir —The action of the Labour members of the Tramway Board in voting I for the appointment of a Citizens Association representative to membership of that body has puzzled a good number of their supporters, and further has made them doubtful as to how they will vote on March 11. They cannot understand how these Labour members reconcile such action with their belief, as stated by the Rev J. K. Archer, that a “great gulf divides the two parties, and that Labour represents truth and light, whilst the Citizens’ party represents error and darkness! If the Labour party really believes this, then how can it agree to elevating to a position of authority £n y member of the opposite party ? Labour supporters recall also that when Labour had control of the council. it gave the chairmanship of one [o,- ‘he most important committees to ►* jr Archer's present opponent for the ■position of Mayor. Has the “great gulf” only just been discovered by Mr Archer; or, if if has always existed, why did he and his party _ap* point Mr Beanland to the position mentioned? As I say, all this is puzzling many good Labour suppcrterajmt I not see why there should be W doubt as to how their vote should be cast on March 11. As I have said, to many of them in conversing on this matter, “You surely cannot do better than follow your leaders.” If, in spite of what they say, they have sufficient confidence in the Citizens* Association to vote for its representatives to Jhe Tramway Board and on • the- ; City Council, then, while we may not understand such as loyal _ Labourites, we can but “go and do likewise.’ If the -Labour party’ was satisfied to vote Mr Beanland to the works committee chairmanship, then surely it cannot object to their supporters voting for him as a Mayoral candidate; if the Labour party is satisfied to vote Mr Read to membership of the Tramway Board, then surely it will not object if Labour supporters vote other members of the Citizens’ Association to the City Council! Notwithstanding therefore all this, talk about the great difference that is supposed to exist between the two parties, actions still speak louder than words, and puzzled Labour supporters cannot do better on March 11 than vote for Citizens’ Association candidates, and so. do what they are often urged to do.—Yours, etc., FOLLOW THE LEADER. February 29, 1936.