COALITION RUMOUR.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 810, 6 May 1910, Page 7

COALITION RUMOUR.

STATEMENT BY MR, MASSEY. "NOT APPROACHED OFFICIALLY.." Just before his departure for the north, yesterday afternoon, Air. llassey, Loader of the Opposition, was interviewed by a Dominion reporter regarding the press telegrams from Auckland about the attitude oi the Labour party to tho Opposition. "I can only say," remarked Mr. Massey, "that 1 'have not been approached officially by the leaders of the Lnboui party, but I am not surprised that Gov. eminent supporters should bo alarmed at the suggestion that lias been put foiward. It looks like the writing on tho wall for them. As a matter of fact, thu Opposition has always had a good share of what is called tho 'Labour vote,' both officially and unolliuinlly, and I don't, think tho workers who supported Opposition candidates or Opposition member? have had any reason to regret liaving done so. because their iutcrosts liavu been well looked after by us. Indeed, I have had letters of thanks for work done in tho House from finite a number of workers' organisations throughout the Dominion, and I know that other Opposi tion members have had tho saino osyeriencfl.

"Wo recognise," continued Mr. Masspy, "that tho workers have just the same right to organise and the same right to Parliamentary representation as Any other section of the community. Thfl Opposition are as anxious as anyone to innko tho conditions of life as easy for tho workers as possible, to keep flown 'he cost of living, and to give those who have ambition opportunities of getting ou in the world. We ar© opposed to the Socialistic idea of Stale ownership of land and industries, but a very larg>i itiajority of tho workers tako up the fiame position, so there is no reason why their votes should not come to us in everincreasing numbers. At all events, we keep our pledges, and though wo have suffered from misrepresentation by Government newspapers, I am satisfied that, oven from the standpoint of tho Workers, our record will compare favourably with that of an equal number of members from the Government side of the House. . , "While I have every sympathy with the aspirations of the workers," Mr. Muss*y added, "I strongly object to class prejudices and class distinctions being used for political purposes, but .that is what the Government supporters have been doing for years past. I might also nay that on my recent tour in the South Island I received friendly greeting ana encouragement from many workers, and nothing could be more gratifying than the hearty welcome I received from the West Coast miners." A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. PREPARING FOR NEXT ELECTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association^ Auckland, May 4. Scleral local Labour leaders were seen to-day with reference to the statements made yesterday as to the intentions of the Independent Labour party. The majority were very reticent on the matter, but more or less endorsed the statements made. It was stated that in connection with the party's plan of campaign at next election tilings will not be definitely decided until the meeting of the federation of Labour Conference iii this city shortly before next sessiou, at the »conclusion of which the party's platform will be announced.

The "Herald" representative was informed that the Australian Labour party had definitely accepted tho Dominion Labour party's invitation to send over representatives to conduct an electioneering campaign here, vbut that the names of such had not yet transpired. Throe of those who had originally intended to come—Messrs. Andrew Fisher, J. Thomas, and W. 51. Hughes—wero now, however, members of the Federal Ministry, and would therefore be unable to come over. It was stated that there is a very good chance of certain proposals being made to- Mr. Massey, and that tho Opposition will secure general Labour support in any case in constituencies which will not be contested by Labour candidates. As one prominent official expressed it: "Jinny workers are still under the mistaken idea that Mr.. Massey is narrow minded, and that if ho were returned to power tho advanced legislation at present on tho Statute-book would be repealed, but, of course, that is all 'tommyrot,' and many Labourites, including myself, voted for the Opposition at tho last polls." STATEMENT BY A CHRISTCHJPCH LABOTJR LEADER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Christcliurch, May i. Inquiries made in Christcliurch today confirm in some measure tho report from Auckland that a determined effort is being made to organise the forces of labour for political purposes. "dr. G. K. biting when seen at tho Trades Hall to-day said that the New Zealand Labour party in Christclnirch was in much the same position as in Auckland. It was increasing steadily in strength, nud brunches were being formed in different electorates. One, for instance, would bo fanned in Christchurch East next week. He understood from the leaders of the Labour movement in Wellington and Dunedin that the same steps wero being taken in th<£e cities. Tho report from Auckland that offers have been received from five members of the Government party in the House of Representatives to stand as Labour | candidates at the next election is regarded here as the outcome of a motion carried at the last conference of trades and labour councils urging the. Colonial Executive to try to form a Labour party from the present members of the.House.' It is thought that they will mako the nucleus of a, party, and will be a sound foundation upon which to build. At the conference the executive was instructed to write to progressive members asking them to form a party in the House. As to the statement in the Auckland message, that certain proposals aro likely to bo made to Mr. Massey, and that in tho ovent of those proposals being ' accepted, tkj> Labour organisations and Labour vote will be given to the Reform Party in every constituency that is contested in the country, Mr. Whiting and other Labour leaders in Christchurch say that the statement is far from the real position. As a matter of fact, it has never been suggested, or even hinted, that Labour should join its 'forces to Mr. Massey's.

•1 DOUBT AND A DENIAL. Touching tho rumour that a coalition is being nrinnged between the Labour f.arty and the Opposition, Sir. A. Rosser (President of the New Zoai.ind Executive of tho Trades and Labour Council's Conference), who is at present in Wellington, slates that it. is tho first he has heard of tho matter. With his knowledge of tho feoliuß of the Labour parly in AuckIniul, he did not. think that such a coalition was likely. They hail always regarded o. coalition between the Ward and A!assay parties as a likely contingency, as the line of demarcation between the (wo had been gradually getting less and less. The reason why u coalition belynon the Labour party and the Opposiliou was improbable was .beriuife Mr. lUnssey was more out of sympathy with Zi.i hour I linn was His Government. Ho did not disavow the rumour, but would adrl that when he left Auckland such a contingency was utterly unforeseen. Mr. D. M'Laren, JI.P., declares that nny suggestion that nnv proposals have been made either to Mr. Massey or to any member of his party for an alliance between Labour and the Opposition is absolutely without foundation.' He adds that the suggestion Hint tho Labour party will invoke, under any eircumsli>nei», (hi: aid of tin. Opposition, is simply a silly canard, hnving no regard for fncts whatever. No definite information has yet been disclosed as lo what tomo of the members of tho Liberal party are prepared to do in the direction of assisting in the crention of a distinct Labour party in the House.