LABOUR AND PROHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7156, 22 July 1901, Page 2

LABOUR AND PROHIBITION.

- In a speech which he delivered! at a social gathering tendered to Mr G. J. Smith, M.H.R., at the .Art Gallery on Saturday evening, Mr T. E. Taylor propounded a sew plan of campaign for the next general election. This was none other than the amalgamation of the Prohibitionists and the Labour Party, with the object of making a combined attack on the liquor traffic, " the only monopoly in the colony." Mr Taylor's plan is' certainly a novel one, and there are many reasons why it ds quite impracticable. No doubt from a Prohibitionist point of view it has much t$ recommend it. Naturally the prospect of securing the assistance of the Labour vote in their crusade against the drink traffic is most inviting to Mr Taylor and his friends, but ire question wi-ether the Labour* Party views the matter in the same light. The latter may well inquire whether it is not being asked to embark in the task of pulling chestnuts out of the fire with the prospect of getting moitihing in return. It is true that on Saturday night Mr Taylor hinted that some common basis of action would precede amalgamation, and that the Prohibitionists would be prepared to make some, concessions, but what common basis is possible between- two parties which, although they may be at one on some points, are bitterly antagonistic on others? • And what concessions are the Prohibitionists in a position to grant to the Labour Party? We confess that we know of none, unless it be -their third vote for Christchurch at the next general election. Yet in return for this somewhat doubtful assistance Mr Taylor asks the Labour Party to join the Prohibitionists in "standing firm against the only monopoly in the colony," in other words to declare blindly for Prohibition. In making this overture Mr Taylor seems to have overlooked two facts. The one is, that the Labour Party, 'however united it may be on questions which affect it as a political organisation is by no means at one on the liquon question, and the other that the possibility "of a combination between tha Prohibifcioiiists and the Labour Party would be certain to excite a strong counter combination. The members of every sect of pelitical faith in whose nostrils the word Prohibition stinks would join forces to combat what they conceived to be an unholy alliance. T!he result would be that the cause of Prohibition would foe no better off than

it is at- the present time, while dissension would have been sown in the ranks of the Labour Party. The latter is not likely to take Mr Taylor's overtures seriously, , but in case it is we woiild advise it to avoid entangling alliances, and to work out its own destiny by itself.