LIBERALS AND LABOUR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11938, 27 March 1914, Page 4

LIBERALS AND LABOUR.

The Liberals are evidently wooing the Labourites, promising lifelong devotion, but Labour appears to be somcAvliat coy at present. Various leaders and various organisations have vastly different cries. One body of Labour men disclaims any connection Avith the Liberals, and calls the Liberal-Labour Federation at Christchrueh a "scab" organisation, and yet Mr Webb, in a. speech at Greymouth last night, lauded Sir .Joseph Ward and his party, and prophesied their return to poAver after the next general election. Mr Webb covered a lot of ground, and he made some statements Avhich no responsible member of Parliament should make—but then Mr Webb is known to be a political irresponsible. He is reported to have stated that "many of the special constables avlio Avent to Wellington were criminals, just out of gaol." A more outrageous statement has never been made. At a time when feelings were embittered statements like these might have placed Mr Webb in Parliament, but he Avill need to alter his tactics if lie is to retain his seat at the coining election.