LABOUR AND SPORT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12622, 3 October 1901, Page 3

LABOUR AND SPORT.

—» THE WORKERS' HOLIDAY. [From Our Special Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Oot. 2. The Parliamentary correspondent of the Dunedin " Star " lias obtained possession of some extraordinary letters forwarded by the Secretary of the Olago Labour Day Sports' Committee to the Colonial Secretary, the Premier, atnd the members Tor the district. The Association in the first instance protested against a •botalisator permit being granted to the Dumedin, Jockey Club for Labour Day, holding that as the day had been set apart for the workers they were justified in claiming a -prior right to say what form of amusement should talcs place on it. Sir Joseph Ward replied that he had advis&d the Dunedin ' Jockey Club that he was mot prepared to grant it a permit for Labour Day. However, as the result of pressure, backed up by the representations of members from both branches of the Legislature belonging to Otago a permit was granted. Thereupon Mr Lawry, secretary of the Labour Day Association, wrote a lengifchy letter to th« Colonial Secretary, in the course of which he said; " Should the Dimisdini Jockey Club win .the. day, my Association, .will not only publish the letter and telegram received, but will leave no stone unturned'to return members other than those at present representing us, for we shall consider that you have broken faith with us and have no longer the' cause of .the workers at hteart." Considering that this letter canttaiined a threat'and was offensive, Sir Joseph Ward did not reply. The Association next turned its attention to the Premier, with a complaint 'that Sir Joseph, Ward had ..broken faith with it in granting tih© Dunedin Jockey Club ,a permit.. The letter goes an—" Some of our representatives having taken exception to certain portionst of our letter to the Colonial Secretary we wish to miake our meaning clear. It is this: We will not oppose'the return of members because, Sir Joseph Ward has broken faith with us-, but we will oppose aray ..member who supports a Government which includes Sir Joseph. Ward as one of the party, for we have done with the Honourable Colonial Secretary, and any members who support him, for we have been beaiten by one of the strongest opponents of the present Government and labour in general." The Hon G/ M'Lean is evidently the pems-o'ft here referred to. The letter concludes by a complaint that Sir Joseph Ward had ignored the Association's. last telegram and loiter, and. asks that "'the Premier, would supply certain information'required, and "would fulfil a promise made ,two. years ago, that he would attend the Labour-Day sports and concert at Dunedin this year The un'klndest cut of all is cointa'dmed in- the fact that the Premier, like Sir Joseph Ward, has not replied -to the communication. .