VERGING ON THE INDECENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 64, 13 September 1904, Page 4

VERGING ON THE INDECENT.

Tho Potono Branch of tho Liberal and Labour Federation was sent rejoicing on its way last night with a speech from tho President of tho organisation and tho presentation of tho royal charter without which no Liberals in those days can regard themselves as duly incorporated for tho work of agitation. The chartor represents tho conge of tho "boss" to carry on tho business of politics, and it bears his sign manual in witness tho roof. Somo moro democratic procedure might havo been desired for an organisation which is "to keep tho Liberal flng flying," but oxtremos meet, and in Mr. Scddon himself, as in his latest political machine, it is not easy to say where democracy begins and where despotism ends. The most solid part of his very melodramatic speech related to the land question, and he is fully entitled to whatever capital he can make out of tho determination of tho Opposition to strip tho country of tho last remnant of its Crown lands. We shall bo glad indeed to think that Mr. Seddon's tall talk to tho Liberals, of Petone meant that he is unalterably opposed to 6uch a policy, but his own convictions on tho subject aro, unfortunately, exceedingly vaguo, and they are avowedly waiting for the roport of the Royal Commission, and a definite "mandate from tho peoplo" to tako whatever shape may then aoom suitable. With regard to his general advico on organisation, on tho necessity "to band togethor for tho common good," it is to bo remembored that he was speaking not moroly as a political boss to tho rank and file of his* party, but also as tho head of tho Government to a largo numbor of Government employees. What would Potono bo for a Government candidate without the votes of the railway workshops? and where would the Petono Branch of tho Federation bo without the same help T In such surroundings to make such frantic appeals to tho faithful to come under the shadow of tho groat charter, and organise against a wicked Opposition, was surely verging on tho indecent. Tho Chairman of tho meeting dofincd the objects of tho mooting as boing to keep Liberalism pure and to protect the interests of tho workers from hostile legislation. The safeguarding of billots, and especially of those in tho Government workshops, from undue competition by the unfaithful would havo boon a more accurate description of the essential work of tho Potone Branch of tho Federation, and tho lesson will bo read with none tho less profit for not being too clumsily proclaimod.