MR R. SEMPLE AND LABOUR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1577, 4 March 1919, Page 4

MR R. SEMPLE AND LABOUR.

To the Editor of THE SUN. • Sir—The apologists for Mr Robert Semple may shout themselves hoarse in their attempts to explain away his recent notorious utterances, but their efforts will have but little effect on such of the workers as are entirely out of sympathy with the extremists who claim to speak on behalf of Labour. A large proportion of trade unionists are loyal right through, and have a whole-hearted contempt for those who, during the war, supported the anti-militarists and shirkers of all kinds. That selfish and short-sighted attitude of these Labourites alienated large numbers of reason-ably-minded workers who will in no circumstances vote for any candidate sailing under the at present besmirched banner of Labour, but who would welcome tho opportunity of voting for a Labour man of independent miAd and trained intelligence who would steer an honourable course which would commend itself to fair-minded individuals. Such a man would command the votes of many outside the ranks of tho manual toilers, but so long as the choice of Labour candidates is restricted to men of the Holland, Fraser and Semple brand, just so long will Labour never receive even the support of many ■within its owui ranks. This may be a blunt way of putting it, but it has the merit of being true. By the w 7 ay, what about Mr Semple claiming to be the soldiers’ friend? Anyone ever heard of his doing much to cheer the boys in the trenches? Anyone ever heard of Mr Semple, or of official Labour doing much on behalf of the patriotic funds during the war? Probably Semple and Co. were more concerned about raising funds for the shirkers (see the “Maoriland Worker”) and it would not be out of place to raise the question as to how he can be at one and the same time the friend of tho soldier and of the shirker. Returned soldiers please note. —I am, etc., TRADE UNIONIST. March I, 1919.