SOUTHERN AGITAXORS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15333, 16 June 1910, Page 8

SOUTHERN AGITAXORS.

“ CORNERING ” AUCKLAND EAST. MR TAYLOR TAKEN TO TASK. [From Our Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, June 15. “The contest for City East electorate is from any point of view, tin interesting struggle, but it presents a particular feature which, so far as -‘Upland’s political life is concerned, is altogether unprecedented and unparailed,” says tho Auckland “ Star,” in the course ol’ a leading article. “As soon as the writ was issued Auckland was invaded by an organised band of southern politicians bent upon annexing this important seat for a southern representative. They assured us tnat they would not only save the electors or Cit-v East the trouble of making up their minds about a suitable member, but they could provide a most eligible candidate ready-made. This highly desirable representative was, of course, himself a southerner, mid it speaks volumes for the confidence of our southern friends in tho credulity and lethargy of tlie average Aucklander that they could venture to make such a proposal to us. However, the Labour organisations here very properly resented this impertinent interference, and having made it clear to Messrs Taylor, M’Cullough, M'Bride, etc., that Auckland is quite competent to manage its own political affairs, the workers proceeded to choose a candidate for themselves. But Mr T. E. Taylor and his coadjutors wero not yet at the ena of their resources. Their impudent attempt at foisting their southern nominee upon an Auckland constituency had failed, and some of them, more in sorrow than in anger, shook the dust or the mud of Auckland from their feet, and departed homewards, deploring our obstinacy and folly. But Mr Taylor, with the eye of an experienced campaigner. saw that tho game was not yet up. Ho could not secure the seat for his first choice, bu t much might bo done by stirring up strife in the ranks of Labour, and playing off ono section of the workers against another. We need not fellow liis tactics in detail, but tho ond of it all is that tho workers, under tho skilful guidance of Messrs Taylor and M’Laren, are now divided against each other, and one section, apparently the stronger, is actively engaged in supporting the candidature of an utterly inexperienced young man, who, on Ills appearance on the public platform last week, protested that he was not cut out for politics. We do not- suppose that Mr T. E. Taylor and Mr M’Laren, who are astute enough under ordinary circumstances, expected that this palpable trick would succeed to tho extent of ‘ cornering ’ the whole of tlie City East electorate, but it is clear that they have produced a distinct impression upon one section of tho workers here, and in our opinion, from the standpoint of our public interests, this is much tobe regretted at such a time when Auckland more than ever needs strong and influential representation in Parliament. It is almost inconceivable to us that tho workors of this city can. think of allowing tlieir votes to be confiscated bv a handful of southern agitators, on tho pretext that by giving Messrs, Taylor and M ’Laren a chance of posing as the leadors of a new political party thov will, in some mysterious way, forward tho interests of Auckland or of Labour.”