THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1437, 10 December 1919, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—lt is A-ery unfortunate that Mr Gallichan Avas not present at my meeting in Kairanga. Had he been there he Avould have discovered that the Labour movement is based on the foundation principle of co-operation. The recognition and application of this principle of mutual aid Avould remove the barriers which some persons affirm exist betiveen Avage-Avork-ers and working-farmers. I refuse to believe that any kind of worker on the land, in the factory or office—that their interests are in conflict with each other. On the contrary, there is a mutual dependence on the ser-A-ices of the country-AVorker and the town-Avorker. 1 think-’that as soon as this fact is recognised and acted upon the shafts of bitterness that “inspire men and movements Avill be removed and Ave shall then enter into a newer and better social atmosphere. A little more knoAvledge of each other’s position and animated by a kindlier spirit, I belieA-e Avill contribute to a much better understanding in the Avorld of commerce. The writer of the letter referred to involves the Political Labour Party with a decision arrived at by a body of trade unionists of “going sloav.” No matter hOAV regrettable these tactics are in the industrial Avorld, the Labour Party can no more be held responsible for these methods resorted to by coal-miners than my political opponent, Mr Nash, or the Reform Party with which he stands connected. Our business is to point these men to a better way by Avhich their grievances can be remedied by orderly social processes. I, for instance, am not a member of a trade union, and if I were to force myself in upon their deliberations I dare say it Avould be resented by them, just in the same way as the Farmers’ Union would resent interference under similar circumstances. The Labour movement has a political side which it is my duty to defend and to shoAv to honest-minded men that by political and constitutional means there is absolutely no necessity for such ugly and disagreeable practices being resorted to. If you were to deny the right of political expression on the part of workers, then you play into the hands of “direct actionists” for the settlement of industrial troubles, and men such as myself, Avho feel sure there is another and better way, are swept aside in the heat of social conflict. The writer further suggests that nationalisation of mines, etc., lends itself to “go-slow” methods. This appears to be a slander upon our great public institutions such as the post office, railway service, and the public serA ice. The members of these great departments, I feel sure, will resent such an ungenerous charge being made against them. The matter of co-operation, which the correspondent imperfectly understands, is capable, when understood and applied, of removing the causes that divide men, and shotving them as farmers and workers that their interests are identical and that all of us together must move along one common path to .attain to ,a higher national destiny and achieve a worthier ciA-ili-sation for the races of mankind.—l am, etc., JVI'OISES AYRTON, Labour 'Candidate.