LABOUR DIVIDED.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 174, 28 August 1914, Page 9

LABOUR DIVIDED.

POLITICAL JEALOUSIES IN WELLINGTON. CANDIDATES FOR ALL SEATS. [From a Special Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 28, When the fog of war has lifted clear of the political horizon the Reform j Party will be able to give the glad eye jto the Social Democratic Party. The latter, ■ disgruntled over the activities I of the United Labour Party, have de- ! cided to contest all the Wellington seats. On two occasions recently the representatives of the Social-Demo-cratic Party met the United Labour Party with the view of arriving at an understanding as to the seats in Wellington City and surrounding districts. It became evident to the United Labour Party that the one definite purpose of the Social-Democrats was to push Mr McLaren out of Wellington East. The Democratic Party is anxious to run Mr John Rigg for this seat. Finally they took up:the attitude that if . the United Labour Party insisted on running Mr McLaren for Wellington East, the Social-Democratic Party would find a candidate to oppose Mr Hindmarsh in Wellington South. Those who understand the temperament of Mr Hindmarsh and some of the other members of the Labour Party, will understand what the effect of such a threat would be. The United Labour Party determined to adhere to its previous decision and contest Wellington East, Wellington South, and Wellington Suburbs. The candidates will be Mr McLaren for Wellington East, Mr Hindmarsh for Wellington South, and Mr F. T. Moore for Wellington Suburbs. When this decision was conveyed to the Social-Demo-cratic Party they immediately determined to put candidates in all the Wellington seats. This should be rather glad news for the Hon. Mr Fisher, who was expected to be hard pressed by Mr Fletcher for Wellington Central. THE SPORTING DOCTOB.

Dr Newman's position in Wellington East was not regarded as a strong one until the last municipal election. Previous to that an effort was made by the Reform Party to persuade Dr .Newman to stand aside in the interests of Mr J. P. Luke, Mayor of Wellington. The sporting doctor, however, held that he had won the seat for the party and had no intention of retiring in favour of anybody, particularly Mr Luke.- The Mayoral election, however, made it clear that Mr McLaren is something of a spent force in the political life of the city. Wellington East is now regarded as a safe Reform seat. It will be made very much safer for the Reform Party now that the Social-Democratic Party Avill also be in the field.

As Mr H. E. Holland has been liberated from gaol before his time the party will' probably deem it their duty to nominate, him for, a city seat. When he was nominated for the Mayoralty of Wellington he had not been twelve months iu New Zealand. Apparently the highest office in the gift of the citizens of the Empire City was regarded as within the grasp of an outsider who was discredited by the Labour Party of Australia. Wellington Central will probably be Mr Holland's mission. MINISTER OF JUSTICE SAFE.

In the average political party the lack of suitable men is always a drawback. Apparently there is no dearth of talent in -the Social-Democratic Party. There are a dozen little chaps whose conceit inspires hopes which have no possible support in probability. They will, however, be able to get enough votes to make sure of the return of Messrs Fisher, Newmaji, Luke, and Wright! As' for Wellington North, a whole armful of candidates would not seriously embarrass Mr Herdman. His return is assured.

There is a scripture which these sons of ambition would do well to 1 heed. It recites that " a house divided against itself may not stand." The Labour house is : . getting. very much . divided against itself. This invariably follows when t-Jie. lust for individual promotion .overcomes tlie spirit . of party loyalty. There are too many soaring ambitions; too many., embittered hatreds; too many jealousies; too much individual. ingSOME OF, THE ASPIRANTS. No : doubt Mr Rigg believes that he is chosen of the fates to win political honour. But his twenty years of political life have not been productive of many prominent victories for the Labour cause. Mr Holland long ago formed the habit of contesting elections, and will probably continue to be an aspirant to his dying breath. The United Labour Party defends its action in putting forward Messrs McLaren, Hindmarsh, and Moore by pointing out that these men went into the contests in the first place with rather poor prospects. Now that they have Avon their way into second ballots they cannot see why they should be asked to retire in favour of men who have no greater claims to public support. JOHN PLOWMAN.