A HOT REJOINDER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 10016, 1 February 1926, Page 5

A HOT REJOINDER

mr "Thomas on mr cook “CHILDIjSH OUTBURSTS” fßeceivecl Jan. 30, 5.5 p.m.) ‘ LONDON, Jan. 29

Mr Thomas, in a pungent letter to the Daily Herald, severely criticises the miners’ ‘leader. Mr Thomas says.:— '' - “Like a majority of the members of. the movement, I long ceased to treat Mr Cook seriously. I only regret that a great organisation like the Miners’ Federation should, day by day, have its case ruined by his childish outbursts. “When Mr Cook, presumes to advise'oither unions and criticise the railwaymen’s conference, he should remember that the great mass of trade unionists do not judge their leaders by frothy orations but by their deliverance ot the goods. “I am quite content to allow a comparison cf my services to the railwaymen to be made with his to the miners.” —A. and N.Z.C.A. „

MR COOK’S REPLY. “MR THOMAS’ AMBITION IS TO BE LEADER OF FASHION” “SPEECHES WOULD LOOK WELL IN COMIC PAPERS” (Received Jan. 31, 11 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 30. Mr Cook replying to Mr Thomas’ leter, says:— I cannot claim to be an afterdinner speaker like Mr Thomas at functions which he attends, nor a leader of fashions, but I do claim to be a class-conscious fighter for workers, and shall accept instructions only from the class I represent. The chief ambition of Mr Thomas apparently is to be a leader cf fashion at dinners given by the enemies of the working classes. It isn’t mine. Thank heaven, I made no speeches which would look well in comic papers. Mr Thomas says that l am no longer taken seriously by the majority of the Labor movement. I am afraid Mr Thomas is out of touch therewith. Mr Thomas along with dukes and other noble lords has long wished me in a warm place. 1 hope I shan’t go there. The Sunday Express says that Mr Thomas commenting said : “My letter gave my opinion or Mr Cook’s qualities as a leader. Mr Cook’s statements about me don’t matter. —A. and N.Z.C.A.