THE EXTREMISTS’ FOLLY.

Southland Times, Issue 17921, 28 April 1917, Page 6

THE EXTREMISTS’ FOLLY.

To the Editor, Sir, —Your leading article this niorn-,-ing. under the above heading, is in great measure a reiteration of tho condolences being received daily by the Labour candidates who were defeated at the poll on Wednesday. The remark of the man in the street shows no variation. Our friends meet us with; "Hard luck, old man! If it hadn’t been for the strike you would have won; however, better luck next time!” It is certainly very comforting to receive assurances of friendship when in trouble, but in this case we, the nominees of Labour, are better off in tbe position we occupy. At tho behest of the Labour Representation Committee we offered our services to the electors of Invercargill, and we strove hard to be placed among the chosen twelve. Roughly, one thousand electors were of opinion that tlie workers were entitled to direct representation at the Council table; over two thousand thought otherwise, and, allowing about a. thousand absentees, there remains four thousand who didn’t think at all.

The labour Party are not one whit disheartened; we still believe in our Platform; we still believe that the realisation of our ideals would mean the emancipation of the democracy from economic bondage. Wo recognise the fact that those who voted against us are content to allow the continuance of private profiteering, are satisfied to receive thirteen shillings’ worth of goods for every sovereign they spend, and object to Labour having any say in the administration of civic affairs. We were not defeated by the electors who In our opinion voted wrongly, but by those who did not vote right. It is really hard to understand how any reasonable minded person could blame the four innocent, law-abiding Invercargill candidates for a strike amongst the coal miners a thousand miles away. Even If we were capable of such strong hypnotic influence, our common se.nse would prevent us using It in the direction of causing industrial strife and consequent loss and suffering. We are firm believers in striking at the ballot-box. Who caused the strike amongst the coal miners, what force engineered a strike just at a time when Labour was organising for the municipal contests? These are questions that cannot be answered at present: even free and full discussion thereon Is forbidden. The strange anomaly of the whole business is the fact that whilst the coal strike contributed materially towards the defeat of Labour on Wednesday, many other strikes more serious in their purpose, and further reaching in their nefarious designs have failed to break the confidence of the electors in those who control our national and municipal government. We refer to the strike of the wool kings, who, when offered something far greater than a fair thing, demanded an additional ten per cent., and continued their strike till their demands were conceded, In spite of the fact that ewery ounce of wool was urgently wanted to clothe our soldiers; similar strikes occurred amongst tlie butter monopolists, the cheese and meat monopolists; and strikes are being maintained for higher prices amongst those who control the commodities of life: and the consumer is apparently content to allow the purchasing power of his earnings to dwindle away. This contentment was amply demonstrated on Wednesday, and with every courtesy we accepted the verdict. As working men, our non-election means more time for our activities in other directions, and less cares and worries than would have been our lot as town councillors. From a personal standpoint we are prepared to accept congratulations; condolences should go to the other fellow. On behalf of the Labour Representation Committee, H. J. FARRANT. ' R. X. RIDD, 27th April.