UNITY OF CITIZENSHIP

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 120, 6 February 1923, Page 5

UNITY OF CITIZENSHIP

4— FOR THE WORKERS’ BENEFIT CIVIC LEAGUE STATEMENT l . The Executive Council of the AVellington Civic League supplies tjio following statement having reference to 1 the coming municipal elections and its ' attitude towards Labour:— 1 As an organisation of citizens the league is inviting the co-operation of all citizens’ societies which take an interest in the local government of our city, independent of class and party. Its motto is “Love of our city, tue supreme law,” therefore, it stands for ono class—the citizens as a whole and the union, which is our city. AVe repudiate references in tiie Press which would.stamp our organisation as being afiti-lnibour in character or intent. In striving for the general advancement of our city and the. carrying into effect of policy and administration which will make Wellington a still better community in which to live, our organisation is working for the benefit of Labour. It will be recognised by all reasonable people that improvements of the city are shared h.v the mass of wage-earners who reside in it as well as by others, and so those who are seeking such betterment are acting in tho very best interests of Labour—if the word is used in its propei- sense. The league invites the co-operation of all citizens—without considerations of.class. All it asks is that those who join in shall be free to act purely as 1 citizens and independent, of all party | 1 control. The league does not shut the door upon organised Labour but finds, unfortunately, that such organisation ’ chooses to act as a class apart and stay outside a genera] organisation of * citizens. By its constitution the league 1 is opposed to any genera! political 1 party attempting to dominate the af- 1 fairs of our city whether it is named ’ Reform, Liberal, Labour, or any other name. It submits to the good sense of the people that it is in the best interests of all that our Tniinicinal affairs

csvs oi an rnat our municipal airairs should not bo controlled by party. Inside the City Council there is not party system, nor should there be, and we object strongly to party seeking to control from outside as such would mftui that councillors would be elected not to study, counsel and direct, but merely as delegates to record decisions. The word “labour” has several meanings. In its political sense it constitutes a political party which, unfortunately. seeks to place class before community. The league is not anti (that is against) any class. Its policy is positive not negative. “Labour.” in the industrial sense, means working operatives. In our municipal electors’ associations there are any number of working men ami women, and it is perfectly ridiculous to suggest that they are anti-Labour —against themselves. Between the elections the municipal electors’ associations,; Oivic League, and other bodies of citizens joined with us now, take part in various ways to secure improvements in tho. city, from all of which Labour —in the true souse —derives benefit. How can those who thus give time and service for the good of all be classed as anti-La-bour? It is an insult to offer such a suggestion. In the city’s health week campaign and other civic undertakings we have seen employers and wage-earners, and representatives of both, work together for the common good with no reference to party or class. The Civic League seeks the same collective policy of citizenship in respect to general business of our municipality, believing that is best for the general .welfare. There is onlv one reason why the league is taking an interest in tho municipal elections, and that is to render what service it can in securing the best representatives available., and in suggesting improvements which may advance tho city’s interests. In view of the very serious financial and problems,.the c’ty is faced with there is a strong demand for unity on the part of citizens. A policy of non-unionism. class strife and party bitterness wi’l not iolp the workers —or any others. To secure the purpose of niak'iiE AYcllinAon a great and well adnrnistercd city we must pul 1 together, against nobody, for the benefit of all is what the Civic League stands for.