MR HAWKEN’S REMARKS.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 63, 24 October 1928, Page 2

MR HAWKEN’S REMARKS.

ro TDK EDITOR Sir, —I have read with some interest the argument between Mr Masters and the Hon. O. J. Hawken more especially that relating to the speech to the Reform Conference and publishedl in the ‘Newsletter’. My curiosity was so whetted that I ro solved to go into the matter for myself and so at no little trouble procured a copy of the ‘Newsletter’ containing the by now famous utterances. But Mr Masters ornmitted to give one or two more which, to my mind demand explanation every bit as much as those others. For instance Mr Hawkeni is reported t<l Lave said to the conference: “The Labour Party is a. solid core. There are' 110,000 who have a definite objective —and it is a selfish objective. They are fighting for more money and they are not particular who pays it. They are a dangerous force to-day because they can call to their aid others. In short the Labour Party i s tlio party we have to fight. The moment we attack organised labour in any way which they considier inimical to their interests the rest of the labour population sympathises with them, and we must bo careful not to talk about reducing wages, or reducing Labour s shat© or the general profits.” It seems quite clear that the Refolrm Party doesi intend toi reduce, wages but must not talk about ’it. Another statement Mr Hawken is quoted as having made is this and I think be will not deny it; “On© of the main things we have to keep in our mind is to keep our vote' solid and that can only' be don© by give and take methods between the different sections, who have different interests in their own party. On mlany occasions I have had to reiprimandl the claims of the countiy people., They think they nio all- important.” Again Mr Hawken says:—

“Rural Instruction must be carried on, and one of my great ambitions i s to extend it to the women folk. If we want the women’s vote we must do something for it.” Mr' Hawken does hot seem! at all willing to dismiss this famous speech of his arfft the previous instances quoted by Mr Misters have not heeii affirmed or denied.

The statements at least show us the concern of the Reform Party to catch votes at the expense of the welfare of the country.—l am, etc. ANTI TAMMANY.