PROHIBITION AND LABOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7061, 22 July 1901, Page 3

PROHIBITION AND LABOUR.

(Per Press Association.!

Chbistchujsch, July 21. At a "social" given to Mr G. J. Smith, the successful candidate at the by-election, last night, Mr T. %E. Taylor suggested that prohibitionists and workers should combine at the next general election. Mr Taylor said there was a marked change in politics in the past ten years in the attitude of the Trades and Labour Council. Mr McCullough, an ex-president of the council, was at one with the speakers of the party with regard to this just, moral issue it had introduced into nolitics, and so was the council itself. Mr Taylor said he looked forward to the time when two such large forces would amalgamate. Prohibitionists joining hands with wageearners would sweep the polls at the general election next year. It might appear that Mr Smith's supporters were running against the Labour candidate at the by-election, and that there had been antagonism ; but if the council scruitinisecf Mr Smith's actions they would find that he would, by voice and vote do as much for the. workers and the interests they : had at heart as would be'done by any nominee from their own ranks. Perhaps Mr Smith would carry more influence in the House than a straight-out labour man would. Mi' Taylor claimed thatprohibition was a strong working-man's movement, and his party should not be severed politically from thelargepercentage of the wage-earning class. To_ bring about tho proposed amalgamation, if necessary, the prohibitionists should make concessions, and he did not see why they should not work hand in hand with the, Trades Council and return to Parliament men who would stand firmly against the only monopoly in the colony which should be deprived of Parliamentary representation. Mr Smith, in following Mr l'aylor, said he proposed amalgamation would have to be very carefully considered, as any amalgamation, to oppose any other section of the community, must be carefully approached. Speaking from a temperance standpoint, they would have to be very careful what they did in that respect. They had sympathisers in all sections, and should consider whether they were going to make the prohibition movement a deliberal political party on one side of the House. He was expressing those opinions so that it would not be said, he had agreed to any such suggestion without giving it due consideration.'^ He would like time to think the' matter over.