COMMENT BY A NEW ZEALAND LABOUR LEADER.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16727, 9 January 1920, Page 7

COMMENT BY A NEW ZEALAND LABOUR LEADER.

(special to "TnE muss.") WELLINGTON, January 8

Mr M. J. Reardon, who is foremost among the anti-Bolshevik labour leaders of New Zealand, has just returned from a health trip to Amcrica, and ho has published some of tlio opinions ho formed on labour matters in America. In the first place, so he told a reporter to-day. thero aro two distinct Labour sections. Tho followers of Mr, Oompcrs are termed the Conservatives, and they are very much moro conservative than the so-called Moderates in tlie New Zealand labour movement. The Extremists are called Radicals. They are tho Bolsheviks, and oompriso n type with which Mr Reardon says New Zealand has not yet mado acquaintance. "We talk about Bolsheviks in New Zealand," said Mr Reardon. "but they are moderate compared with tho Bolsheviks of America. Men who aro charged with being Bolsheviks here simply display appreciation and sympathy with the Bolsheviks' ideals; the Bolsheviks of America aro out for revolution by fire and tho sword, so to speak. I have not met in this country any men who could be compared with the American Bolsheviks. I tlunk Lenin summed up the situation when ho stated at. the third Bolshevik Convention held in Russia, that of every 100 Bolsheviks, GO are fools, .19 are criminals, and one is a real Bolshevik. I presume that lie was best able to judge his own following. Tho Bolsheviks in America are creating a great deal of trouble. They are mainly foreigners, .and therefore the employers and tho whole community are reaping a harvest of their own sowing. At times of industrial trouble it wu9 the practico of employers to charter ships for the purpose of bringing strikebreakers (foreigners) into the country, and now theso men aro creating intense discord. "The Conservatives are tho real foTce in American Labour," stated Mr lleardon. "but thev admit that one of these days they will have to turn round and have a "show-down' with tho Radicals or extremists." The Conservatives wero not looking for tho fight, because it would rmvui a big break in tno American Federation of Labour, whion had a membership of over four million workers. However, it was realised that the fight must come, bocauso tho Conservatives were being hampered in their progress by the action of tho Radicals. The latter wero response® far any prejudice against ladout.