RED FEDS AND THE OPPOSITION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15503, 13 November 1914, Page 9

RED FEDS AND THE OPPOSITION.

SPEECH BY HON. MR FISHER. In the course of a speech in tlie House, o- on the last day. of the session, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher referred to a speech of Mr Wiliord. member for Hutt. 1 ' ."I mention the speech." Mr Fisher said, "because it really clinclies the story of the compact 1 hare Leaxd of from the lion, gentlemen who represent, or misrepresent, the Labour Paxty; that .there is an alliance between the Opposition and the Federation of Labour and Social Democrats to oust the Government. I have seen the member for Hutt and the member for Wanganui sitting on the same bench rubbing noses for the last half-hour, jmd hatching plots. It only gives point to the statement made by tlie Labour members in the House during the debate that there is an alliance between Labour and Liberalism as confirmed by the statement made last evening a.t Petone. This is what Mr Wf.ford said —The Prime Minister (Mr Massey), by the repealing of the secon ballot, was of the opinion that Liberal and Labour would be fighting each other throughout the electorates, but he was astonished when he found that Liberal and Lr.bour had joined hands in fighting for the weal and interest of the masses as a whole.' The hon. gentleirian.has at last taken his foot off the soft, "Soft pedal, and has actudly made a true declaration. Tllen 'he went on to say: 'Liberal and Labour ideals we re one, and the support that was beincr given the cause throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion was both astonishing and encouraging. _ Labour saw the point that Mr Massey aimed at, and was prepared to meet it. These combined organisations sWept the country in the days of tho lat-e Mr S-eddon, and would do it again on the present occasion. Reform had got into power by a toasted cheese policy that secured a few Liberals who ratted from the party, but it Jiad U;xl the •effect of cementing Liberal and Labour by stronger "bonds.' •'So," continued Mr Fisher, "we can say with absoHite certainty., because we have it from the lips of Labour and the oracle of the Opposition, that an alliance between these parties has been brought about and haa determined to defeat the present Administration. . . As far as th e coalition was concerned, they had strong evidences of it apart from the utterances of the hon. member for Hutt, and certain members of the Labour Party. The Opposition was going to be unopposed by Labour in Napier, Hawke's Bay, Wellington Central. Bnller, Westtand, CliristchurcTi and Riccarton. Labour was going to be unopposed bv the Wardites in WVTngton .Sn,uth>.: Wellington North, Wellington Qi;ey r ;r Lvttelton, Grey Lynn, and Otaki. Think of the sflcrfic.es that have, been made," continued Mr Fisher. "Fancy sacrificing the Labour vote in Hnwko's Bay in the inerests of a large landowner, a capital : st; and just fancy in all these electorates' I have named, sacrificing the genuine supporters of Ward.jism and depriving them of any chance of being able to vote ncninst the Government. We 'have waited for some tnne for actual proof of the coalition that has bo°n denied so ofhen; but I express my obligaton to the Labour members and the member for Hutt for given the proof that the crmbmaton between the two onrties been _effected, 'and- that" at last Wardism has so subordinated itse-f to its to get into office that, "t >as entered into an alliance with the Red. Feds. Tt is very satisfactory to set that information."