CORRESPONDENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9193, 24 March 1908, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE "AMBASSADOR." TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Will you kindly publish the fact, as a reply to your statement in to-night's "Star" that Mr Pritchard has failed to secure the support of the representative Labour organisations, that the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council passed, by a very large majority, a resolution offering sympathy and financial support to the Blackball Miners' Union. The Trades Council may or may not be a " representative organisation" in your opinion. I don't know; but no doubt the fact, as above, will assist you, the next time you write, to he sure of your facts. It will also enable you to see that, although I was not there representing the Council in any official capacity, I represented the sentiment of its resolution. There are other organisations, euch as Unions and political bodies, whose sympathies are with Mr Prit-j chard ; but, then, I suppose you would not consider them as "representative." However, you will learn as you grow older. Be consoled therefore. We can afford to smile at your criticisms. Those of us who were there, and saw and "heard that demonstration of sympathy, came away satisfied. We felt good :so did Mr Pritchard. — I am, etc., JAMES THORN. (As Mr Thorn grows older, he will probably grow more frank. The resolution of the Trades and Labour Coun-" cii was passed on March 7, prior to the settlement that was subsequently repudiated by the men, and prior to the decision of the Court. Will he publicly state what amount of financial support the Council has given to the 6trike, whether delegates at the meeting when the resolution was carried acting under instructions from their Unions, and whether any of the Unions have since repudiated the action of their delegates in voting for " the motion? We are pleased to learn that Mr Thorn is undergoing the novel experience of feeling " good."— Editor, " Star.")