LABOUR SUPPORTERS DISSATISFIED.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13381, 2 April 1912, Page 4

LABOUR SUPPORTERS DISSATISFIED.

PROGRESSIVE MINISTERS IM-

POTENT

(Special to "The Colonist.")

Christchurch, April 1

Several prominent South]and Labour men who were spoken to admitted that in Messrs Ell, Laurenson and Hanan there were three men in the Cabinet oi: pronouncedly' progressive views, but they were decidedly of opinion that tho powers of the trio of placing advanced legislation on tho Statute Book would be exceedingly limited (telegraphs tho special correspondent of the "Press.") It was pointed out that when Mr Millar

was first appointed to the Ministry great things were expected of him, but gradually, owing probably to his political environment, lie got completely oxit of touch with the workers, and to-day he had to rely on the Conservative voto in order to retain his seat. Mr Lauren— son, it was stated, was a Socialist, but ho was in bad company, and not a, great deal could be expected of him as Minister of Labour. How Messrs Hanan, Laurenson and Ell could accept office in a Ministry with the Hon. Tiios. Mackenzie at the head seemed to puzzle the Labourites spoken to. They pointed out that Mr Mackenzie had done all ho possibly could for years to publicly injure tho three Ministers mentioned, and yet they .now had sacrificed their dignity | and their principles in order that they I might share in the distribution of the | loaves and fishes. Labour would be by no means misled by the appointment or" the three Radicals, but would continue the organising of their own party. For some time past there- has been considerable dissatisfaction in the railway service regarding the administration by the Hon J. A. Millar. When spoken to regarding the possibility of .an improvement in the now Minister of Railways (the Hem A. M. Myers), several Invercargill railway men at oncepointed out that Mr Myers had had no practical experience.of-railway work, although his commercial exx>erience might assist him.