Will Mr Hodgens Say “Yes or No"?

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7473, 25 May 1934, Page 6

Will Mr Hodgens Say “Yes or No"?

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l feel sure that your readers will congratulate the unemployed of Palmerston North and Foil'ding on their recent demonstration and wonderful victory. It proves what can be accomplished by unity. To a large extent the praise must bo given to the U.W.M, for their leadership. I, on this occasion, salute them, and they can be assured of iny support and that of other housewives in the future. We have found out who are our real friends, and I sincerely hope that the employed will also cooperate, and the sooner our daddies aro working the sooner they will bo released from the wage-tax.

During the demonstration to the Prime Minister and at last evening's massed meeting Mr. J. Hodgens made much of the fact that he offered no apologies for associating himself with his colleagues (meaning the other speakers) in voicing his protest against camps, etc. The crowd took it in and reached a pitch of excitement when the speaker referred to Mr. Bromley as “Mr. Judas.” I quite agree, but want to warn Mr. Hodgens that the same name has been applied to many so-called leaders of the past. Will, Mr. Hodgens give the workers a straight-out “Yes” or “No” as to whether, at a meeting of the Labour Representation Committee, when an invitation was before the meeting to attend and appoint a speaker at last evening’s gathering, if he as president protested? I am informed by- one who was an onlooker at that meeting that. Messrs. Hansen, .Ward and Quecnan fought hard for a. representative, and Mr. Hodgens emphatically refused to, ns ho stated, co-operate with tho U.W.M. Further, 1 understand that he said: “If this resolution is carried, I trust you will not ask me to attend.” But what happened when Mr. Hodgens found the crowd were going to have rank-and-file control? He did what Mr. Bromley did: he changed his mind and came along to the meeting and paraded his wares before the people and said, “I offer no apologies.” Now, Mr. Hodgens, you have had a piece of Messrs. Bromley and Oram; try and get out of this “toe-hold!” —I am, etc., A STRUGGLING MOTHER.