CORRESPONDENCE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 September 1928, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To- the Editor). -Sir, —Having read in Tuesday’s issue of the Levin “Chronicle” the interesting and timely appeal of Kathleen Russell, I beg to make a statement in reply. Firstly, I would like to say that the Labour Party in Levin is not sound asleep—it is probably dog sleeping, waiting for the moment and opportunity to rouse itself, when interest and enthusiasm is shown by the citizens. Oh yes, we were quite aware of the Southern Cross making a .successful crossing of the Tasman and for its personnel to be personally welcomed to New Zealand by the Labour Mayor of Christchurch, Mr ,Ji. K Archer)' I also wish to state that we hay,e acandidate fighting for our interests, in the name of Mr J. H. Taylor, farmer, Ihakara, a man who will work hard to see that Levin will be well represented in its efforts towards progress. I was also interested to read the figures of the great advance which the Labour Party has made in the Old Country. Tin fortunately, T have not the figures to hand, but I believe that in proportion to the population the same increase has been made in New Zealand. Never-tho-less there is room for keen and efficient organisation to educate the work : ers of New Zealand to take more interest in the management of the affairs of this country. Kathleen Russell says she was a secretary of an* organisation haying for its object the urging of women to take an interest in public affairs. At the present time I am acting as secretary for the Levin .Branch of the Labour Party and it is my desire to urge both men and women to take a more active part in public affairs. Essentially the interests of men and women are one and indivisible. But there are certain matters in which the experience of women is far wider and closer than that of men can ever be. Those matters, for example which most intimately' concern home life, the nurture of the young, the care of the sick and weakly, the planning of the dwelling itself are especially women’s questions, not because their right solution does not closely affect the well-being of men as well as women, but because it is only by women turning their own. experience into the common knowledge of all that a ijght solution can be found. The Labour Party may well be proud of the record of its achievements and distinction of brain and character. But behind those names are known so well to the whole community, the millions of working men and women who have made the claims of Labour a possibility. At first it seems absurd to the millions of women, hitherto without political interests—but now voters or potential voters —to place any value upon themselves as thinkers. Their inclination is to let others do that part of the work and to follow-a lead rather than give it.' The Labour‘Party will fail to be a people’s party if it leaves its thinking to a“few. It must not become a caucus of superior persons, but must in truth be “Broad-based upon the people’s will. Essentially?-it ( deals with simple primary needs-of life, desire for homo, and shelter, security and sufficiency of material- needs, control over the frame-work 0f....1ife, in order that nobility of action and thought, joy and beauty and the gift of service may be the rule for all. Politics are but one aspect of our daily lives and those who live the common life must always be the real power of democracy. The men and women of finest fibre and finest intellect inspire this work, interpret the common facts, the common knowledge of us all. But they are dependant upon the common men and women who bring the direct knowledge gained by experience for them to..interpret and transform. In conclusion, Sir, I'.wish to state emphatically that the Levin Branch of the Labour Party is very wide awake and amongst its members are some of the most intellectual and conscientious citizens of this district, men and women who have the interests of this district and its,-com-munity really at heart, and we do welcome assistance and will be pleased to add to our membership both men and women who feel the urge for service in the cause of humanity. —I am, etc.* ERNEST LYCETTE, Hon. See., Levin Labour Party. Sept. 19th, 1928.