THE LABOUR CAUSE

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14503, 15 October 1907, Page 8

THE LABOUR CAUSE

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your correspondent signing himself “ Old Radical ” has just about hit the right nail on the head this time. Mr M’Cullough may well consider it time to call a halt and breathe that oldtime prayer. ‘‘May the Lord save me from my. friends.” Mr James Thorn has many good points that all fairminded persons can admire, but being somewhat rash and impetuous, and lacking tact, discrimination and stability, he is apt at times to make rash statements. At the present time he is suffering from an overdose of popularity and its usual attendant, swelled head, hut when this wears off, and Mr James Thorn realises that he is not “the only pebble on the beach,” and settles down to work earnestly and steadily, ho may then gain more sympathy and support from the real friends of labour. I write this in no spirit of condemnation, but as one who has watched his career for the last two or three years. I believe ho will yet he very useful to the cause of labour, but until he loses a little of his self-conceit his usefulness will to a largo extent be obscured. The cause of labour is worthy the attention of all serious-minded men and women, but when wishing to bring about a better state of affairs than that which exists at present, 'strict attention to facts and arguments free from abuse and personalities, -will secure the respect and support of the better class of workers more certainly that all the abusive epithets that one can utter. The man who wishes to be a leader of men, and who calls his audience fools and dolts, is nothing short of a fool or an unmitigated ass. Sensible, intelligent people like to ho talked to, not at. If Mr

Thorn would retain the respect and support of his real friends, ho should at once alter his methods and manner of dealing with Parliament and its members, and the iriends as well as tho foes of labour.—l am, otc., SOCIALIST.