The Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, MAY 7,1914. THE BITTER PAST.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 4830, 7 May 1914, Page 4

The Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, MAY 7,1914. THE BITTER PAST.

Another attempt is being made by the Rod-fed. ’ element to dominate the industrial unions, and the industrial and political .situation, linden the guise of a scheme for the unification of the different classes of labour, and amalgamation with the Australian Federation. The forces of the revolutionary organisation, in being mixed up with doctrines of anarchy and sabotage, with strikes, riots, and lawlessness, have been completely shattered, and the movement utterly discredited with its own class. In consequence thef'o is little likelihood of the I latest move taking hold with the moderate and comntonsense worker who comprises the bulk of labour. Indeed, one influential union has “turned down the proposed unification project with a vigorous thump. “A federation that stands for destruction and not construction, that spreads,disunity rather than unity, whose most effective weapon is intimidation and abuse should be, in our opinion, considered only u« a memory of the bitter past,” is the emphatic and uilmistakeablo retort of the Westport watersiders, and no doubt there will be similarly discouraging replies. “ A PROGRESSIVE FORCE. ” The recently-formed Liberal and Labour Association of Canterbury, which incidentally has been attacked by t he Democratic .Socialists as a. “Scab” organisation, is getting actively to work with campaigning literature. In it. circular before us it is submitted that the Association aims at the unification

of the “progressive political forces for (1) the purpose of returning to power a party pledged to retain the privileges already won and (2) to initiate other progressive reforms for the uplifting and benefit of the masses of the people. Very laudable, indeed, but there exists more than a suspicion that we have now a genuine progressive force in power doing the very things that the Association wants done. If the Association is bona fide in its claims, why does it not admit this self-evident fact? It is not a progressive force that is the desideratum with the Association, but a return to power of Sir Joseph Ward, of Russell, Wilford, Isitt, Atmore and the other remnants of a discredited and onqe powerful party. If the Association were frank they would say so plainly, and amend the statement of objects accordingly. To be candid the Association would then proclaim, “We want the'return to power of Sir Joseph Ward, the Leader without a policy, but the most successful failure as an opportunist New«£oaland politics lias ever produced. The people are too enlightened now-a-days to be misled by sham claims. AN UNENVIABLE POSITION. Obviously the Chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board is in an unenviable position. Yesterday, Mr R. Fletcher, who notoriously bolds views sympathetic with Labour, was appointed to the seat for the fifth successive term, but it was shown that he does not retain the confidence of a majority of the member* of the Board. His election was opposed by Mr J. G. Harkness, and both candidates received seven rotes apiece, the statutorily-fixed “draw” that follower! going in favour of Mr Fletcher. The fact cannot be disguised that the hostility to Mr Fletcher is due in a large measure to his administration of Harbour Board affairs during the currency of the recent strike, and his attitude since in giving ex-strikers preferences over the workers who volunteered to keep the port open and to assist in circumventing the mischievous and destructive plans of the law-breakers. In addition it was considered expedient that after four years of occupancy the Chairman should be prepared to let the honour go round, even if for no other purpose than to prevent a one-groove policy. The consoling aspect of Mr Fletcher's appointment is that he will have an opportunity of redeeming the past. SOME POINTED GIBES. In the course of a bright and forcible speech at Winton the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher indulged in several characteristic gibes at the Opposition. He remarked what when a council leader was wanted Sir Joseph Ward evidently recognised that his appointees were all incompetent, so he went outside and appointed Sir John Findlay, and gave him K.C.M.G., K.C., J.P., after his name. (Loud applause). When another Minister was wanted, he went over to the Opposition and took Mr T. Mackenzie. Sir Joseph Ward had stated in past years that compulsory training was impossible, and that the tota lisa tor and bookmakers should he abolished, so be brought in a compulsory scheme and set up a Racing Commission, which brought in recommendations entirely to the detriment of local clubs. Air Hogg, member for Masterton, was appointed to the Ministry, but evidently ho disagreed with Sir Joseph Ward, and be went out. Mr McNab was to go out. but lie got pushed out. (Loud Laughter and applause). The Hon. Geo. Fou Ids went out before he got pushed out. (Renewed laughter). Mr Russell (ex-Lib-oral Minister), speaking at Gore, said the present Government should have borrowed two millions more than it had done. but. it did not do so because it was the friend of the moneylender, and wanted to keep down the rate of interest. (Laughter). Sir Joseph Ward had called the Government’s tiefence proposals the "tov navy.” whilst Mr M vers (Lilieral member for Auckland East) bod endorsed the Government's action.

On Sunday next, no less than 32 special trains will tie employed in transporting territorials from the Tukapail camp to their homes. Twenty-six of these will pass through Daunevirke for Wellington, Wairarapa. Mnnawatti. New Plymouth. Wanganui, and the Main Trunk line stations, while six will run northwards with Napier, Gisborne and intermediate station troops. Over 00 engines will lie used in drawing those trains. •Miss Austen, who describes herself as “a. woman with a. message,” and is tonring country districts to deliver a warning against the white slave traffic. lectured to a good attendance of women in St. Peterjp schoolroom last ovonng After describing the horrors attendant on the traffic that was nssumig large and deadly proportions in other countries, Miss Austen appealed to mothers to erect a safeguard against an extension of the evils to New Zealand by taking both soils and daughters into their confidence, instructing them fully in the vital matters of life, and thus establishing a recognition of purity. It wn,s emphasised that the mothers have a duty and roHiwmsibility that no other person can fulfil in the same way and with the same effect, and any neglect would imperil the future of the child and of the nation. “Just a Reminder" Our Chilblain Liniment, st.ojie all itching and reduces the swelling: Is per bottle. L. W. I.ongmore, Chemist, Pahiatua.