“AGAINST LABOUR”

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1935, Page 11

“AGAINST LABOUR”

MISS E. ANDREWS ATTACKED.

MR. F. L. FROST AT HILLSBOROUGH

Speaking at Hillsborough on Tuesday, the Labour candidate for New Plymouth, the Rev. F. L. Frost, defined his.party’s attitude to Miss E. Andrews, the Independent candidate. “It was perfectly natural that Miss Andrews should also adopt the Labour Party's policy,” he said, “and join that noble company of the Democrats in appropriating the findings of the Labour ‘party machine.’ For one who is so determinedly independent, Miss Andrews shows very little originality of thought in the matter of framing a policy. The ‘party machine’ which I represent accepts the pretty tribute to its powers, and I compliment Miss Andrews in placing herself on the side of the forces that are seeking for social progress. But why confuse the issue for the electors, and deprive the people of their chance to gain a clear-cut victory? “It looks very like coming in and reaping a harvest to the production of which she has made little or no earnest contribution. Has Miss Andrews striven during the past 20 desperate years side by side with the courageous men and women who have fought and suffered to gain the recognition for Labour’s policy which it is receiving to-day? It is a rather belated appearance on the Labour

“Miss Andrews in her position of influence and with her excellent gifts could have given a fillip to the ideals of Labour at New Plymouth years ago had she thrown scruples aside, and linked up with the humble people who have carried the flag through fair and stormy weather; but now that they are within sight of victory, Miss Andrews comes to telf them that their cause is excellent and that she will support it, but without committing herself wholeheartedly and unreservedly. To attempt to split our forces as she is doing is ‘the most unkindest cut of all.’ But the catch cry of independency and freedom from the ‘party machine’ will deceive no one who has determined to sweep this present Government out of office. “How has the Labour policy been built up except by the free interchange of ideas between men and womens who have given a life time of study and work to its evolution? Does loyalty to a common purpose necessarily mean the abrogation of intellectual freedom? Such a suggestion, to use Miss Andrews’ phrase, is ‘childish and absurd.’ Are not the opponents, of Labour making capital out of the fact that our men differ in points of detail on the working of our monetary policy and guaranteed prices? We have laid down the fundamental principles on both these vital questions. What we say we will do shall be done. But the independent and alert minds of each member of the party will be co-opted and make their contribution to the clarification and fulfilment of our determination.

“So far as our objectives are concerned Miss Andrews could have coin-

piled most of her speech from those delivered by myself during this campaign. But in method we are at absolute variance. Labour is waging pitiless and un- • relenting warfare upon the discredited Tory Government, and we are united one body in that battle. Therefore a vote for Miss Andrews is a vote against Labour.”