THE LABOUR PARTY.

Evening Star, Issue 20020, 10 November 1928, Page 11

THE LABOUR PARTY.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir,—Mr W. W. Batchelor’s onerous duties as a union secretary leave him plenty of time to criticise Reform, Liberal, and Independent candidates. Perhaps Mr Batchelor has forgotten tho war, when Mr Holland stayed in this country doing all he could to embarrass tho Government under the late Mr Massey, Just recently there has been trouble at Samoa, and Mr Holland has taken tho part of the capitalist, M r Nelson, who was encouraging unrest among tho natives. What a howl of indignation there would be if any of the Labour opponents had done this. Just the other night 1 opened my ‘Star,’ and found myself confronted with big headings of Labour rallies ami letters from W. W. Batchelor. After perusing these articles 1 felt really depressed because my fellow-workers were starving; in fact, these articles almost convinced me that I - also am starving. To work off my depression I went lor a stroll, and after a while found myself amongst quite a large congregation of men. big, well dressed, and well fed—really a linn body they looked. Many were smoking “ made-ups,” and i thought it must be a meeting of tho wealthy. On inquiry, however, J found that it was just a gathering of workers to hear an address by a Labour candidate in the adjacent hall, f lingered there expecting to bear these men discussing in loud tones the iniquities of tho Reform Government under Mr Coates. Instead all that i heard was “ Peter Bingen,” “ Peter Bingen.” 1 wondered who Peter Bingen was. I had often heard of Peter Fraser, but never of Peter Bingen. I thought he must be a Now Zealand Mussolini risen to deliver tho workers. I inquired who Peter Bingen was, and was told that it was tho name of a racehorse, the winner of tho New Zealand Trotting Cup. I lelt quite relieved at this, as my fellowworkers were not starving, and wero in a position to have a little bet if they wished. Perhaps under Mr Holland wo may not retain that privilege.—l am, etc., Nmv Zealand. November 10.