LABOUR AND PROHIBITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11711, 22 July 1901, Page 5

LABOUR AND PROHIBITION

PROPOSED COMBINATION. CflY telegraph.—press ASSOCIATION.] Christohtjrch, Sunday. At a social given to Mr. G. J. Smith, the successful candidate at the by-election, last night, Mr. T. E. Taylor suggested that the prohibitionists and workers should combine at the next general election. He said there had been a marked change in politics during the past 10 years in the attitude of the Trades and Labour Council, ~ Mr. McCullough, ex-president of the Council, was at one with the speaker's party in regard to the just moral issue it had introduced into politics, and so was the Council itself. Mr. Taylor said he looked forward to the time when two such large forces would amalgamate. The prohibitionists joining hands with the wage earners would sweep the polls at the general election next year. It might appear as if Mr. Smith's supporters were running against the Labour candidate at the by-election, and that there had been antagonism, but if the Council scrutinised Mr. Smith's actions, they would find that he would, by voice and vote, do as much for the workers' and the interests they had at heart as would be done by any nominee from their own ranks. Perhaps Mr. Smith would carry more influence in the House than a straight-out Labour man would carry. Mr. Taylor claimed that prohibition was a strong working man's movement, and his party should not be severed politically from a large percentage of the wage-earning class. To bring about the proposed amalgamation, if necessary, the prohibitionists should make concessions, and he did not see why they should not work hand-in-hand with Trades Councils, and return to Parliament men who would stand firmly against the only monopoly in the colony, which should be deprived of Parliamentary representation. Mr. Smith, in following. Mr. Taylor, said the proposed amalgamation would have to be very carefully considered, as any amalgamation to oppose any other section of thf> community must be carefully approached. Speaking from a temperance standpoint they would haVe to be very careful what they did in that respect. They had sympathisers in all sections, and should consider whether they were going to make the prohibition movement a deliberate political party on one side of the House. He was expressing those opinions so that it would not be said he had agreed to any such suggestion without giving it due consideration. He would like time to think the matter over. _ ■