GLASS GOVERNMENT

Maoriland Worker, Volume 12, Issue 299, 22 November 1922, Page 8

GLASS GOVERNMENT

Pralecting tiie Profiteers—The Gag for the Workers

Mr. Massey and his politicians allege that the Labour Party; is a "class" party, but what about this!

Under the War Regulations Continuance Act, 1920, whicH was enacted to give Mr. Massey in peace the same suppressive powers as he wielded despotically during the war, the seamen now on strike can only be defended at the risk of fine and imprisonment. To assist the seamen by word of mouth, by letter, by press article, or by gift of food is a crime, and persons who so assist may be sent to prison. Such a law is an infamy, but it is made even worse than that by the fact that no penalties are imposed on those who assist the shipowners. Dozens of daily papers may revile the seamen in columns of space per day, and lie brazenly for the benefit of the shipowners, but if The Maoriland Worker defended the strikers with the same energy the Editor would be sent to gaol. In a dispute between workers and their exploiters it is only a crime to help the workers. To assist the exploiters is an act of loyalty and patriotism. What is this but the most brutal class bias? Who can say that it is anything else? Yet the man responsible for it is Mr. Massey,-who professes to be shocked because the Labour Party; stands for the class Interests of the toilers! In New Zealand the whole force of Law is on the side of the rich and powerful, and day by day it strips the workers of their elementary rights. Vote Labour. Introduce a system where all will work, where there will be no classes and no par-esites.