THE LABOUR PARTY.

Southland Times, Issue 18745, 3 December 1919, Page 4

THE LABOUR PARTY.

In dealing the other day with the candidature of Mr McLachlan, official Labour nominee for the Matauraseat, we stated that in this election the Labour Party’s prospects were fatally compromised by its war record. We contended that so long as the Party is controlled by men who actively and openly hampered the war efforts of this country the electors cannot he expected to show any sympathy for the Party’s official candidates. This fact is realised by the large body of Labour supporters throughout New Zealand, and we find that many candidates who are standing in the Labour interest find it necessary to oppose the official Labour Party. The situation was well expressed by Mr E. Kellett, who is standing as an Independent Labour candidate for Dunedin North. Mr Kellett’s record is sufficient warrant for the assertion that his loyalty to Labour cannot be questioned, and his condemnation of the extremists at tho head of the Labour Party will carry weight. In explaining his reasons for standing as an Independent he said:— He was a British subject, and as such he recognised that we. as units of a great Empire, should do all in our [lower to protect and preserve the many privileges which we possessed. He regretted to state that the official Labour Party had displayed a general antipathy towards the nation right through the war, and he was right up against it on that account. We could never forget, he continued, the manifesto which had been sent to Australia urging the electors to turn down conscription—and that at a time when our boys were especially hard put to it for want of sufficient reinforcc-

menta. Later on in his address Mr Kellett said that the Labour Party’s attitude towards conscription was most illogical coming from a body whose principles embraced compulsory unionism. Continuing hie criti-

cism Mr Kellett showed how wide was the breach between the workers generally and the Party leaders: — Tho attitude the Party had taken up with respect to the Peace Treaty was also a disgrace when we considered the hardships and sacrifices which had been endured not only by the brave boys who went to the front, but also by the parents, and more especially by the mothers. Ho considered, as one who had been in the Labour movement all-his life, that these men who were leading, or claimed to be leading, the Labour movement were out of touch with the aspirations and sympathies of the great body of workers, and that they were struggling to create a state of class hatred. There is no word that we have quoted that is not strictly in accordance with fact, and the sooner the workers realise to what extent their cause is prejudiced and prejudged by the activities of the extremists who control the organisation the sooner will they gain the consideration to which their just claims arc entitled.

Mails despatched from New Zealand on October 18 arrived in' London on November 29. The annual sale of work of St. Daubs Presbyterian Church will be opened this afternoon by Hon. J. A. Hanan. Soldiers’ four weeks’ free railway tickets arc now available during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The Ngapohatu Post Office (The Rocks, Riverton) was opened on Monday for tho holiday season. The post office is under the care of Mrs J. Mooney. An old man named Richard Broderick appeared before Messrs J. Ward and J. R. Haigh, J.’sP., at the Police Court yesterday morning charged with vagrancy. On the understanding that he remained at Lome Farm the defendant was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence. The following question, having evident reference to a recent prediction of the possible results of a sun spot on December 17, caused some amusement at Mr Rishworth’s meeting at Lower Hutt: —"In view of the fact that all hotels will be closed on election day, are you in favour of the sun having a spot on that day?” Asked way, if wages were higher and conditions better in Australia, he had come to New Zealand to work, a skilled craftsman in the jewellery trade informed the Arbitration Court in Wellington that, apart from the better climate of New Zealand, if a man was careful he could save more money, even if he did earn less. Speaking at Wanganui East, Mr F. P. Brady, the official Labour candidate for Rangitikei, declared that what the Labour Party was up against was ignorance—ignorance of its own class. He had found during his campaign that the people from whom Labour had a right to expect support were ignorant of the aims and objects of the Party. A man named Cliiff Day performed a plucky act of rescue at Castlecliff (Wanganui ). It appears that when a party of men were fishing off the south mole at dusk, between 7 and 8 o’clock on Saturday evening one of them was unfortunate enough to be precipitated into the water by a sudden and unexpected gust of wind. When he fell into the sea he was thrown a light rope, which he grasped, while Day ran along the mole, and, securing a heavy rope, plunged into the seething sea after his companion, to whom he tied the rescue line, and his , other mates on the mole then pulled him in. If it had not been for the act of Day the other man would have been in serious danger, as at the time of the occurrence there was a strong wind blowing and a heavy tide on the ebb, while the unfortunate man’s legs were inextricably entangled in his own fishing line, which would have made it impossible for him to swim, even if the sea had been calm. A gentleman who has just returned from a tour in a northern electorate informed a New Zealand Herald reporter that nothing struck him so much as the splendid work which is being done by farmers’ daughters in helping to overtake urgent farm work at this Busy period of the year. In many cases young farmers have been disabled at the war, labour is hard to get, and were it not for the splendid help rendered by the women production would be retarded and much necessary work would be left undone. The restless energy of many old people has also impelled them to again take an active interest in the work of the farms when the work seems likely to fall behind, and although many of them had retired from active work they find themselves once again, not only putting in a full day of 8 hours, but sometimes 10 and 12. As one old farmer put it : “So long as our brave lads helped us to keep this fair land, from the Huns, so. long are we willing to take up the hay fork and the milking bucket once again to revel in that freedom which wc all love so well.”

An awkward position has arisen in regard to petrol, which means that for the present consumers will have to conserve their stocks somewhat (says the Dunedin Star). The trouble has been brought about by the waterside workers’ strikes in San Francisco and New York holding up boats which but for that would have been well on the way to our ports. In anticipation of ample arrivals, the Vacuum Oil Company have been able to satisfy all demands for some little time past, until the unwelcome news of the hold-up came. Now> the old, war-time finessing to make ends meet and to create as few hardships as possible will have to be begun over again, and continued till the arrival of the delayed ships. This, it is hoped, will be some time in January. In the meantime oil for only absolutely essential purposes will be supplied. Owing to the recent liberal supply spoken of, it is anticipated that the stocks held by consumers will in most cases, with care, be sufficient to carry them on. For the information of motorists going afield, it may be stated that Invercargill and limaru, with the districts surrounding them, are just now fairly well stocked. The luck of the thing, as regards the shipping in American ports when the strikes occurred, ha- be-T against the South Island, for most cf the shipments consigned to the North Island would appear to have got away before the trouble started.

A passenger by the ferry steamer Maori had an exciting time in catching the vessel on Saturday evening (says the Lyttelton Times). It appears that he arrived at the Christchurch railway station just too late to get aboard the ferry train, which leaves at 6.55 p.m. He then made an attempt, with the assistance of a taxi, to catch the train at Linwood, but arrived there too late. Another attempt was made to get the train at Woolston, with the same result. It was then decided to make the trip from Sumner to Lyttelton over the Zig-Zag. This was done, the taxi just getting alongside the Maori as the engine-room telegraph was ringing the engineers to stand by. Passengers,on the vessel and persons who were on the wharf, noticing the late comer’s arrival, called out to him to “bustle.” It then transpired that he.did not have the necessary change to pay the taxi-driver. Every second meant a great deal, as the ferry steamer had let go her lines and was being blown gradually from the wharf. After some difficulty the taxi-man was paid, but by this time the traveller was disinclined to take the risk of attempting to hoard. The spectators decided the matter for him, however, one of the bystanders on the wharf seizing his travelling bag and throwing it on board. The traveller still hesitated to jump aboard, and he could not reach the hands stretched out from the vessel. “Further down to the sterni sir,” shouted a voice, and he made a sprint of fifteen yards and managed to catch hold of the lower deck railing. Tire excitement became more intense, for the steamer was now on her way and speeding-up, and the latecomer had to cling on to the side of the vessel until some firemen came along and opened up the weather canvas to permit of his getting aboard.

A conference was held at Wellington on Thursday last to consider the regulations governing the carrying of benzine cargoes on coastal steamers. Sir Francis Bell, Attorney-General, presided, and the parties represented were: The Marine Department, the shipowners, the Merchant Sendee Guild, the Institute of Marine Engineers, the Seamen’s Union, the Cooks and Stewards’ Union, and merchants who handle benzine. The conference was not open to the press. Wesney Bros, advertise special Show attractions in this issue. Beauty of design, and particular attention to the niceties of manufacture, are the distinguishing features of the Children’s Dresses, Coats, and all the garments that are necessary' for the Children’s wants; also attention is specially drawn to the exceptional bargain prices of these goods:—Children’s Muslin and Voile Dresses, ranging from 7/6, 10/G, 12/6 to 27/6. Also Maids' and Misses’ Dresses in navy, cream, and white pique, and very dainty Poplin Dresses from 14/6 to 42/6. We have a grand display of Children's Coats in wool, cheek, etc., prices from 16/6. to 42/6. Also a splendid variety of Maids’ Ready-to-wears and Panamas, from 6/11, 7/6, 8/11, 12/6, to 15/6. An inspection of these values will convince you why the Progressive Drapery are H. & J. SMITH, Ltd., Tay street, Invercargill and Gore. —(Advt.) You should read! “The Desert of Wheat” (Zane Grey), “The Joyous Trouble Maker” (Gregory), “Big Flat" (Oyen), “A Pagan of the Hills” (Buck), “The Sage Brusher” (Emerson Hough), "Lamp of the Desert” (Ethel Dell), “The Unpardonable Sin” (Rupert Hughes), “The Heart of Arethusa” (Fox). These and a host of other delightful books now showing at Hyndman's, Dee street. A few good reasons why you should visit THOMSON & BEATTIE’S during their White Sale, which is now on. Pure White Voile, 40in wide,. 1/11 for 1/0. Cream Pique, 40in, 2/11 for 2/6 and 3/6 for 2/11; White Crepe, 40in, 4/6 for 4/3. Fancy Printed Voiles, 40in, 3/6 and 3/11 for 2/9. All Woollen and Cotton Dress Remnants to be sold at 3/- in the £ discount. —(Advt.) “It’s amazing,” what a difference a Utile packet of “NO RUBBING LAUNDRY HELP” makes in the Weekly Washing. AH dirt disappears and without rubbing. Cartons (Supply for 7 washings), 1/-. All Grocers.— (Advt.) By stocking only dependable and proved makes of Ladies’ Corsets, PRICE & BULLEID, Ltd., can be reUed on for supplying buyers with Corsets that will give every satisfaction. The qualities are superior and the models are the very latest. Price & Bulleid, Ltd., guarantee every pair they seU.— (Advt.) “Friendship Cutteth Grief by Halves” (Bacon).—BAXTER'S LUNG PRESERVER is every day making new friends. Here is what one of them says: “Allow me to compliment you on your lung preserver. It is some cold killer. Yesterday my throat was a continual reminder of ita existence and my nasal organ was a perpetual nuisance. 1 took three doses of “Baxter’s,” now my frontal ornament is once more a useful member, and my throat has ceased from troubling ‘cause the cold bug is at rest.”—B. Crawford, 20 Symonds street, Auckland. Get a large 2/6 bottle from Chemist or Store to-day.— (Advt.) MASTERS, Ltd., were the originators of the 10 per cent, discount to returned soldiers. Other storekeepers have copied us and we now go one better. We now invite all discharged*, soldiers and those waiting discharge to have their military hats reblocked, free of all cost, by the only batter in Southland. We still give a 10 per cent, reduction to all returned soldiers.— MASTERS, Ltd., Dee street.— (Advt) Nip that cold in the bud by treating it instantly with "NAZOL.” Taken on sugar on inhaled, “NAZOL” never fails.— (Advt.) The Leading Hatters for Men and Boys. Headwear of every description. UNDRILL'S (opposite Post Office). —(Advt) To prevent a cold “getting hold of you,” take “NAZOL” on sugar, or inhale it at intervals. Its effects are simply marvellous —(Advt.) Tackle coughs and colds by using NAZOL. That’s the sensible and cheapest way. NAZOL is penetrating, germ-killing—and most economical. 60 doses 1/6.—(Advt.). There’s a fearful lot of imitations of “NO RUBBING" Laundry Help about. Don’t touch them! If you want the most for your money get the genuine—in 1/- packets. (Advt.) Good news: To hand shipment of Table Rice, Cocoanut, Lemon Peel, Seeded Raisins, Cream of Tartar, Baking Soda, Edmond’s Baking Powder. Above can be supplied in reasonable quantities to suit customers at BAXTER’S. —(Advt.) RAILWAY TRAVELLING. Closed up carriages and vitiated air make the system susceptible to disease microbes which are rapidiy dispelled by cleansing and heaUng “Fuenzol.” —(Advt.) Every lady likes to be well dressed. Today THE “ECONOMIC” Ladies' Outfitters are giving special price reductions on MilUnery. If you wish to be weU dressed join the crowd. —(Advt.) MOVING TO DIFFERENT LOCALITY. Changing one’s place''of residence occurs with most people. Be wise and get the NEW ZEALAND EXPRESS COMPANY to handle your Furniture. You like a good job? Well here is a firm that wiU exercise skill and despatch. Makes all the difference between a good move and one other,wiee. Fortp the good habit of inhaUng “NAZOL” and you’ll keep free from coughs and colds. Eighteenpence buys sixty doses.—(Advt)