LABOR AND POLITICS

Gisborne Times, 31 October 1928, Page 4

LABOR AND POLITICS

AIR LYSNAR N AIR. COLEAIAN “REPRESENTS EXTREME LABOR”

'CHARGE OF PLEDGE-BREAKING Whilst referring to his opponents, iMr Lysnar, at the City Hall last night,' said he had nothing personally ■against Air Coleman, the Labor aspirant, hut he could not overlook the fact that he represented Extreme Labor and that, prior to the Alayoral by-election, he (Air Coleman), had given a pledge to support the trams 'and had then turned his back on it. (Laughter). A voice: “What do you mean by Extreme Labor?”

“I prefer to use that term”, replied Mr. Lysnar. “1 mean the leaders and do not- include the rank and file of Labor. There is 95 per cent, of Labor not extreme, but they are. allowing 5 per cent, of the extremists to run them.” (Uproar.) A persistent interjector; “But what do the 5 per cent, of extremists want?” “What!” uttered Mr Lysnar amidst uproarious laughter. Mr Lysnar asserted, amidst interjections, that the extremists wanted to do away with the King, the Church, and wanted revolution. Mr Lysnar further contended that, if the Mayor’s pledge in connection with the Mayoral contest could not be relied on, none of his pledges could be accepted in the Parliamentary election. “A man must stand to his word to the public” he asserted. A voice: “Right or wrong?”. “Yes” retorted the candidate, amidst a hullaballoo.

Proceeding, Mr Lysnar declared that Mr Coleman would be tied to his party and would not he able to act independently. Mr Coleman, he said, was pledged to support the Labor movement which was out to help only one section. A voice: “Never on your life.”

Air Lysnar supported his contention by quoting Mr Holland’s address in Gisborne on June last when he introduced Air Coleman as the one chosen to carry the Labor banner.' and who would stand fast to the party. “That’s a nice introduction for the future member” said Air Lysnar.

“Hear, hear”, came a voice amidst laughter. “If you want a representative to carry the Labor banner ” began Air Lysnar. “Tt won’t be you." came a voice amidst laughter. “I didn’t quite catch that”, retorted Air Lysnar. “Did you.say you would sooner have me.” (Laughter and applause). Air Lysnar claimed to have done as much to further Labor interests in the House as any extremist Laborite. A, voice: “In what way?”

“In every way”, retorted Mr Lysnar, who proceeded to outline the pledge that Labor candidates were ■required to give to the party and the rpethod of selection of .candidates. He maintained that the Labor Party waaXqnly camouflaging their identity and they did not represent Labor’s •rank and file. The members were ’only agitators, he said. “Arn’t you an agitator?” asked a front seat voice. s

“It depends on the subject”, '.replied Mr Lysnar, amidst laughter. Mr Lysnar described extreme Labor as disloyal. This drew a chorus of “Ohs” to which Air Lysnar retorted: “If you knew the true facts, you wouldn’t say ‘Oh,’ I sympathise with some of you. I will show you clearly that the extremists are up against religion, are out for revolution by force and want to do away with Parliament. (Laughter and uproar.) He declared that the Labor Party were working the; soft pedal with their land policy at present, and therefore, it was no wonder Air Coleman was silent on this subject whilst he was coquetting with the farmers' of tho district. The Labor Party was not game to put their programme on the platform. The leaders of the. party were not loyal. One had stated that Russia was their goal. A voice: “Russia will be the finest country in the world.” Mr Lysnar: “If tho millions dying from disease, from the laws and by murder is any criterion, it won’t.” A voice: “Heave Russia alone. Tell us about what wo pay you for”. (Laughter.) v ; “I’ll come to the extremists later, and I’ll dish it up to them”, pronounced Mr Lysnar, amidst some laughter. **''