POLITICAL MANIFESTO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7028, 5 December 1890, Page 3

POLITICAL MANIFESTO

Trades and Labour Council, The Canterbury Trades and Labour Council have issued the following manifesto to the working-men of Canterbury : — "'ln view of the coming general election the Council considers it it 3 duty to lay before you a review of the relative positions of the two political parties, namely, the Conservative and Liberal ; the possibilities of success open to the Liberal party, especially in the interests of the working class, the bone and sinew of the country j and the probability of a victory for the Conservatives should there be any division of the Liberal party votes. "The gentlemen recognised, recommended aud supported by the Council as the only Liberal candidates are :■— For Christchurch City — Messrs W. B. Perceval, W. P. Reeves and E. M. Taylor ; for Heatheote— Mr W. W. Tanner; for Halawell— Mr F. S. Parker; for Avon —Mr Blake ; for Lyttelton - Akaroa— Mr J. Joyce ; and for Kaiapoi - Eangiora — Mr Hoban. The Council deems it the duty of every working man net only to vote for the gentleman or gentlemen named for his own constituency, but also to use his fullest influence to secure the election of any candidate herein named. " The Council wishes it thoroughly understood that it has full confidence in the ability, honesty and energy of the candidates it recommends, and is convinced they will, if elected, endeavour, by the fullest exercise of these qualifications, to amend our land laws; retain the present system of triennial parliaments ; secure the passing of the Labour Bills ; secure legislation restricting a legal day's work to eight hours ; ensure a special tax on absentee landlords ; retain intact our present system of education ; secure radical reform in the management of our railways ; protect the interests and secure the rights of the working class ; advocate and securo progressive taxation on land held for speculative purposes; and imperatively demand reform in the constitution of the Legislative Council. " Canterbury working men, if you sincerely wish these measures adjusted by legislation, prove your sincerity by voting with your party. The great power possessed by your opponents, the Conservatives, is mainly due to this fact — they vote as a party. It matters not what individual differences of opinion amongst them, re measures, may exist, these are all put aside when voting time comes ; therefore be equally wise, remembering your success at the coming elections solely depends upon your so doing. If for personal ideas you vote for any outsiders, or refrain I from exercising your vote, it will be equivalent to giving two votes to one of your worst enemies. These gentlemen always profeß3 themselves • true Liberals ' before election. They are ready with all kinds of blandishments with which to catch the unwary voter who is apt by thftir affaoility, docility and liberality to be misled, and forget they are chameleons all, and can change as best suits their purpose. Trust them not. Some of these gentry, when touting for votes, have the audacity to claim the kudos of having passed Liberal measures for your benefit. No Conservative Government ever passed a Liberal measure until compelled by the Liberal section of Parliament and public opinion to do so ; and the Conservative element of our Parliament has never been an exception to this rule. Wake up, workiDg men, to tbe patent fact that the so-called Government of thiß Colony is a giant octopus that preys on the working man ! This Conservative pet arranges the taxation of the country to suit the capitalist class especially. It bolsters up unrighteous monopolies. By an oppressive Customs tariff it hampers the trading section of the Colony, impoverishes the artisan, and yet we are blandly told there are no party politics in this our land. Can the leopard change his spots, or the Ethiop Lye skin? No! Neither can our Colonial Conservatives change; they are ever the same ; and the only road open to our country's progress is by the door at which they must be turned out. "Wake up, working men, and by united effort free yourselves from the monster, and then crush it out of exist" ence. So long as the Conservatives rule New Zealand, so long will the -working men be sat upon ; but, when the working man makes use of the power he possesses, by united and concerted action, then comes the dawn of his prosperity. Therefore— For the cause that looks nssiatanoa, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance. And the Rood that we oau do. —Vote and vote only with your party. Vote ! " By order, "F. J. BIDMEADE, Secretary. " Christchurch, Nov. 29."