"A ONE-EYED DEPARTMENT."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1085, 25 March 1911, Page 7

"A ONE-EYED DEPARTMENT."

Sir.—l regret, Tor many reasons, that Mr. M'Ln.ren has not foon fit to reply to my letter, published under the abovo heading in your issue of March 13. It seems strange that neither lie, nor any other one of theso so-called "Labour leaders," will reply to any letter that I write. I now issue a direct challenge to any 0110 of them to explain to the workers why, in the face of the various articles appearing, in their own official organ— tho "Weekly IlernUl"—against tho Labour Department for.its treatment of the workers, Mr. M'Laren has not been called unon to answer for his solid defence of that Department during last session. Perhaps

I those "leaders" are unaware of the fact that, yo .strenuous was file litfht that Mr. M'Laren put up for the Department, that lie actually told the House (vide Hanfard, No. .1:2, p. -IDlij not to take any notice of Mr. Wilford's quotations from newspaper reports, as they all knew that journals were always anxious to make their case good. According to tile same number of llansard, iiage 492. it will bo seen that 31r." Wilford, who attacked the Department, stated in his opening remarks that he had taken a report from tho "Weekly Herald" to support his charges against the Department. Now, sir, there is 110 one more anxious than I am to see the lot of the worker made happier and brighter, but I ask, in the name of common senso and reason, is it to bo expected from tho "M'.Larcn Comedy Company"? This so-called company will kill you with their talk of principle and their earnest endeavours to uplift the workers, and should oeo of the rank and file commit any insignificant breach of their rules they will promptly deal with him; but, despite their pledges, etc., the "star artists" can do as they like, even if it is to do what one of the "stars" actually did, viz.—exhort the workers to voto "No-License" and strive for a "wliito New Zealand," and yet shortly after this to go into a hotel with oue of the yellow race and have a drink at the expense of tho yellow man. I feel sure that if this "comedy company," who, according to another of their number, aro only "amateurs," would take a back seat, then indeed would things be better and brighter for their ."patrons," the workers—l am, ; " DAN MORIARTX. Wellington, March 20, 1911.