NOTES TO HENRY

Maoriland Worker, Volume 13, Issue 1, 3 January 1923, Page 5

NOTES TO HENRY

Dear Henry,—Now that Labour has made sufcli a big stride forward, you are no doubt expecting the country Co be ruined. That old time-worn prediction of yours is evidently gett ng a bit flait, and some, more potent bogex w'dl have to be created to enable -you to keep the parrot song at concert pitch. Hower&r you are still a thoughtless menace to progress, although happily growing less multitudinous with each pas-sing year. Let us hops the coming year will prove to be the period of your final phase in evolution, when you will meet us fo discussion, rather than be chased with argument.

I know you have a weakness for being on the winning side, and so. when Labour wins a little furtluer, I expect you will come over "With the air of the genuine article., But, take warnilng old son, there will be no glad h-snd. W-e want'men , and. women to jo'iii us because they believe in their hearts that Labour "principles are the real pivots of prosperity for. all. We want them when ■ they understand what the fight is against, what the goal represents, and when, they feel that they are prepared to work ,and live their lives in the spirit that actuates the whole great movement. They must huv.e knowledge upon which to base their convections, and a niiiid capable of grasping the differe,nco between the present lav/ and true justice, and the great gulf be-

i.ween the ruler and the ruled. Until then they had better stay at the old address. We want no enemies end no deadheads within the ranks, but we do want, and welcome, those who will wholeheartedly serve the cause of the ultimately to reach the ideal for which we str-ve —the brotherhood of man.

Uecau&a you were docked five bob a week in your wages t and grew angry enough to resent the robbery, it does not follow that you were converted to Labour principles. Not by a long way. It meant that you were annoyed, that's all. But the incident might be made the turning point in. your economic education. If Labour '■■s good enough, to turn to . when in. trouble, why not in peace? Labour is just' the old bulwark. It Stands for us, to take together the brunt of our hardships, and ensure the fair apportionment oi! ithose pleasures that may be our due.

The election has meant; that a e w fossillised old dign&tories have sunk out of sight, and rank reactionaries have received a severe jolt. This result- alone will tend to keep your nose a shade easier on the domestic grindstone. Energetic Labour men, imbued Avith the desire to help the down-trodden have risen in their and . under no circumstances that may arise, can the choice be to your hurt. The great drawback is, that they are not enough, in numbers. You must remedy tha-t little oversight at the first opportunity. I believe you will, but for goodness sake do "not £xll asleep again till the job is completed.

Those paltry "patriots" and lying "loyalists' , hav-e frayed your paf'ence till jV; almost amounts to disgust. I stood in the crowd on election night waiting for the fateful figures to be thrown on the huge screen. A few advertisements appeared, and then, George Five, in all the trappings of the dare-devil warr'or he might be, but isnU. A few rude "Haw-haws" punctuated thei 5 nice cool evening. That was all. George, evidently, was unaware we were not' at home. Next, the first verse on the same subject appeared with the caption, "Now all sing tog-ether." A dreadful frost, stony sileoice, no melody. Some one remarked < with great courage, "You can't change your sox these tim€>s without Gorsave butting in." Then the numbers went up, pud; we were at hoiuo aga'n.

Later on, sandwiched among; the slides of candidates, appeared ■ that charming young mpn destined some day to veign over us. Again the implied hint of poking-an oar in, and —silence. A tiasty little tart sad to her : hero, "Who's that"? The hero looked surprised, and, handing round a broad grin replied, . "Bill Parry." The choice confectionery solemnly said, "Oh," with great knowing. Altogether it was a very passable evening, and everybody appeared to be pleased about something, especially the old red-nosed elrap by the lamppost. I feel more hopeful than iever now, that you will some day outgrow your uselessnees