BOLSHEVIKISM AND THE N.Z. LABOUR PARTY.

Free Lance, Volume XIX, Issue 993, 16 July 1919, Page 6

BOLSHEVIKISM AND THE N.Z. LABOUR PARTY.

Hon. J. T. Paul's Apologia. , THE Hon. J. T. Paul, president of the so-called New Zealand "Labour" party, is desperately anxious to convince a justifiably suspicious public that with Bolshevism and 1.W.W.ism and veiled disloyalty certain leaders and members of his party have no sympathy. Mr Paul waxes almost pathetib over the fear expressed by Mr C. P. Skerrett, K. 0., the president of the Welfare League, that I,W,W. and Bolshevikist doctrines are gaining a hold' over a certain section of New Zealand Labour. His anxiety to paint the "Labour" party of which he is the official head, as a company of political injured innocents, upon whom poor Tom Bracken, were he still living, might write a new version of his famous poem ."Not Understood,"

is most touching. "Judge us by our political programme," says Mr Paul. "Just see what a truly, democratic, honest, sincere policy we put forward." This is all very well, but how about the man behind the gun? A platform of fine-sounding, plausible political theories makes very nice reading. But, in this instance, we have got to look to the men be•hind ijhe platflorm. Who are their leaders? What has been the attitude and conduct of those leaders during the war? What guarantee have we got of their future loyaly, either to their own country or the Empire?

Mr Paul himself is quite- a decent fellow, but with .him in this so called "Labour" party are associated men who have openly and pyibudly declared themselves Bolsheviks, who have defied the laws of the land, and, in cei'tain cases, have served terms of imprisonment for seditious language and incitment to civil' disorder. What is the good of an honest-sounding political, platform if its carrying out is to be entrusted to men who openly preach "class warfare," who crv "to hell with Agreements /' who espouse the cause of the cowardly shirkers who, under the cover of a-highly convenient so-called "conscience, ,, "sneaked, out of their duties a s citizens and their honourable responsibilities as men? The "Labour" - party's measures may be all right, but so long, as that party refrains from expelling the I.W.W. and Bolsbevik element from its ranks, its honesty, sincerity and loyalty must remain under a scloud of suspicion and distrust.

Thej-e was a time in New Zealand when "Constant Reader" of the daily papers—and not forgetting good oldportly "John Bull" and "Patriotic" would vie with one another *in producing an ode__ to finish off any event worth celebrating. What has happened to the Peace Ode? Have" these gay ode-makers spilled all 'their ideas, their lofty ideals and crimson darts on the Hun? Can't; an ode of forty stanzas with all those cheerful phrases > —"No more will Britain trade with the infamous Hun,"- —"No more will we trust the swine from- Germany"— bet raked up for the 19th ? There's a fine field open to the Polhill Gully rhymster, the liambton Quay jingjer, and the. Cuba street poet. ' All that now remains is for the Government to state its offer.

A Lancer has lately been greatly struck fay the number of girls and , girleens visiting the little office ! of the Wellington branch of the NavyLeague and his curiosity led him to investigate. He found that big preparations were being made to deal hospitably with the staff of Admiral Jellieoe. A ball is one of the chief functions provided for. The girls got wind of this and the frequent inquiries that werp made gav.e the' Navy League people the cue and the girls anxious to be to the for© when the naval boys are being regaled have joined the 'V League membership at five shillings apiece! It is reported that Secretary Robert Darroek, who, during the local war stunts, added many laurels to his escutcheon has well marshalled his forces and when the time arrives the bank account of his League should enable him to splash a function really worth while.

Much printer's ink has been used up over the last camp hospital scandal—the treatment of tubercular and other patients. Neglect has been alleged Brigadier-General Richardson says that the row has arisen over small things that should not have been, allowed to happen, and won't be allowed to happen again. Mr J. P. Luke says that the whole thing is a. piece of political camouflage. The Returned Soldiers' Association took the matter up, saw the proper authorities, registered its kick, and things are as they should be. A new commandant has been placed in charge, and General Richardson and those associated with him will see to it that the hospital is conducted) properly. A propoa, Mr Arthur Curtayne, of the Returned Soldiers' Association, got this much glory out of it—the iWellington "Evening Post" called him the Rev. Mr Curtayne. It's not safe to , make the sign of the cross to Arthur at present. He doesn't like it.

There is a good deal of private and discreet sympathy for a certain, bright and beautiful New Zealand. girl who, just on the point of sailing for the Old Country to marry her fiance, got n letter from the latter's brother announcing that her swain had changed his mind and had married somebody else. Quite a lot of decent young men hereabouts would l have been glad of the chance to call the young lady their own for keeps and perhaps it is just as well that she discovered the true nature of the cad at the other end in time. As it was, she had been a valedictory guest at a lot of little social functions on the eve of her departure, and rather than wear hex heart on her sleeve she decided to carry out the programme as far as the •trip to London anyway. • ■