N. Z. FEDERATION OF LABOUR AND TRAMWAYMEN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1912, Page 3

N. Z. FEDERATION OF LABOUR AND TRAMWAYMEN.

TO THE EDI'XOB. Sir, — Your hysterical outburst against rho Federation of Labour in Saturday's Post 13 quite refreshing. It conveys the impression that, at a loss for logical argument, - you endeavour to arouso public antagonism against the federation by_ a hurricane of words and wild generalities. What are the facts? The federation has promised to do its duty towards the trnmwaymea.in thoir fight against injustice. There is no question of interference in tho dispute, as you suggejf, but an offer of assistance from one section of organisod workers, to another. , Your talk of the federation 'interference in the dispute is, therefore, incorrect. It has not interfered, nor does it intend to db so. Tho tiamwaymon. if they refuse to be browEeateu by tho arrogant attitude of certtfTs . people, can easily win out. _ In tho meantime, they will receive the united support not only; of. the federation, but of every other ueotion of organised workers in New Zealand. You refer to tho federation's manifesto as "comically scurrilous." I submit, sir, thtat those vrho^ support an act of injustice — an act which reflects upon tho hon-> esty and integrity of innocent men — are not "comically scurrilous," but very seriously 10. To condono ah injustice because a section of organised workers, recognising the wrong which has been inflicted upon their comrades, are* prepared to support them, is very foolish indeed. It's more than foolish — it's criminal. Your leader teils us that "Happily not all the Labour leaders sea ej'e to eye with tho Samples, Hickeys, and Webbs." Very true. But can't you see that the method of organisation enunciated by theso men — that of Industrial Unionism— zis winning not because of Samples, Hickev6, ana Webbs, but becauso of ' sound basic principles 515 1 This it, characteristic not only of New Zealand, but of the working-class movement the world o.ver. The* fodoration has never attempted to hide its revolutionary aims. It is a revolutionary body, and will,' I trust, continue 'to bo go. Its aim is not to watch alleged "mutual interests," but to end wage slavery. This, in our opinion, can only be accomplished by a Sooial Revolution. \Vt> accept Webster's definition of revolution — "a complete change"—rather than that of an agitated and perhaps misguided editor. — I am/otc, P. H. HICKEY. Maoriland Worker Office, Wellington. ' ■ THE COST OF LIVING. TO THE EOITOB. Sir, — In a, leading article" appearing in The Evening Post of 27th inst. you make the following remark;', '' The effect of the turmoil thus created must ultimately' oe to .injure thn whole' country, Unless the reign of sanity is re-established.'' t am not a friend of turmoil, because I prefer deliberate action after duo consideration, but I very much preter turmoil to stagnation or retrogression. When, however, you allude to the "sanity" of society as at present constituted, I feel more doubtful on that point than when. I was younger in , several ways. Even persons supposed to bo free from suspicion of holding "advanced" political opinions are boginning to share my doubts as to tho sanity of our social, and economic system. Mr. Murray, the Conservative I'remier of Victoria (often profanely, alluded to as '"The 'Tired One") was reported by the daily press of Australia a fortnight ago as having uttered, these words: — "I j,ee that comments haVe been made on my I view of work. In jny remarks about work, I was putting »t in' this way— that if wo only acted a .little more rationally, far leus work would provide us with all tne necessaries and luxuries of life that are good I for us. There is a lot of wasted work. • . . Socialism,: you say? Well, we are all Socialists in dur sanest moments." So_ that although you wrote against the manifesto of the Federation of Labour, a Socialist body, you will find that 'a Gonservative leader' of Conservatives acknowledges the atrocious waste of the competitive system, and asserts, that if you want sanity you must b"e a Socialist to get it. [ This makes me understand why Mr. I Veitch, MIP. for Wanganui, declares that he believes Mr. Massey to be a Democrat. Mr. Massey is having "a lucid interval," j and, therefore, trending to become a Socialist. If I had "not personally met Mr. Veitch and recognised him to possess a sense < of humour, I might have doubted hi* sincerity when he stands as a sponsor for Mr. Massey's democracy. "And Massey is a democratic man. So are they all, all democratic men !" — All— Messrs. Buchanan, Herries, Alien, Fisher, Dr. Newman— all democrats, and doubtless all, in their saner moments, Socialists. When, however, I hear from Mr. Veitch that Mr. Massey, if he becomes Prime 'Minister, will reduce "the cost, of living," then he carries jesting -too far,' and makes mo tired. Not any Prime Minister, not a mountain of Prime Ministers, can reduce the cost of living worth noticing. That cost increases mainly through the increase in parasitical form 3of human life preying upon the useful people of socioty. The next is _ the general spread of education and desire for improved conditions of life. This infers a refusal tv believe that because a worker's father in the Old Country lived in a house built of mud, with a rotten roof of thatch,- one window, and a cesspool at the front door, that therefore his children in the • colonies must do the same. When Mr. Massey can put the , workers back into the' mud huts and make | them touch their hats to the landowner, ho will reduce the ' cost of living to the old standards — not before. Living has risen, in cost all over the world, from cause's no New Zealander can touch — millionaires' and war armaments among oth- i ers — so it rises here also, and increased ! wages aro tho only means possible whereby workers can live at all. It is a vicious oircle; Ido not wonder Mr. Veitch laughs at our simplicity.— l am, etc., EDWARD TREGEAR. Wellington, 29th January, 1912. A "FELT" WANT. TO THE EUITOn. - Sir, — Being a visitor to Wellington I would like to point out what I consider a lack of accommodation for both residents and visitors, viz., 1 nn almost, entiro absence of seating or resting pltw.i>s.. Thoro aro many spots -in the city where a few seace could be conveniently placed, ami would bo much appreciated ■ I- was 'passing the Queen's Slacuo tbts aftei'iioo'n, acd noticed tho two or threu small seutd fully occupied and people sitting on the ground and curbings. ITi other towns, tako Keleon for instance, you will find a plentiful supply | Of resting places along tho "Port"-roaa, at j tho "Rocks" along the "Matai" in the j gardens, and in every corner and place where a teat could be conveniently eitu- :

ated.^ I feel sure thufc .a little expenditure in this wav would not be wasted, and the effort would be much appreciated. — I am, etc., - > WEARY. Wellington, 27th January, 1912.