THE LABOUR PLEDGE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1346, 25 January 1912, Page 5

THE LABOUR PLEDGE.

DIFFERENCES IN THE t)AMP t A.-SPUT PEOBABLE, (Bj.'TeJccraph-Pross Aasoclatlon.» Wanganui, January 24. Humours have been going tho rounds lately of eomo disturbance in tho minds of tin; local Labour party and of the possibility of interesting developments, pariic-ularly in regoixl to its relations to tjiQ J\ow Zealand Labour party. I'roni bcnteiucnts made to n pressman by ltadmg Labourites in .Wanganui, it appears that strong- exception is taken to the hostile attitudo adopted by the Executive of tho A'eiv Zealand party and its oincial organ in Wellington towards Iho members lor Wangantii, Olaki, and Grey Lynn. These members did not sign the Isew Zealand Labour party's written pledge, nor were they asked to do to, their supporters, it is sjiid, preferring (o trust to their personal honour. The fact that the. three members named are also opposed to the Prime Minister is stated to be another of tho Executive's grievances. It transpires that an attempt was made by the Executive in Wellington prior to the elections to force the pledgo on Mr. Vcitoli, but it failed, and this as well as tho attitude of the New Zealand parry's official organ lvave cnusod so much rwraitmcnt that already there is talk of starting a new political Labour movement whese constitution 6hall leave out. all mention, of pledge, and give local branches a. freer hand in the selection of candidates and the conduct of elcc■tion?. Tho local Labour opinion is that the constitution of the New Zealand Labour party tends to tho creation of a. political machine, with a select few in Wellington exercising the right, of dictation to tlio whole party throughout tho Dominion, and this they arc determined to resist. It is stated that communications have already been received here from other parts of the Dominion expressing similar opinions, and they indicate n readiness to join in the suggested new movement, which, while putting forward, a thorough labour platform, shall ensure freedom from dominance of a narrow eolorio of extremists. Vurthov developments are awaited with interest. WHO SHALL RULE? THE TOIONS OR THEIp SECRETAIUES. (By Teleirraiin.— fiDccial Correspondent,) Wanganui, January IM. Commenting editorially on the above matter, the "ilrald" siys; "It has come to light that strenuous efforts wej-o made by the executive in Wellington to force Ilio pledge on the Wuiigiinui [iiiuour party just prior to the recent elections, but the effort i'iiilcd ignominiuii.'ly," In connection with the demand for greater freedom for branches, the paper says: "It is certainly somewhat poculhr to iind that tho men in Wellington who control the situation are mostly paid officials of unions. This simply means that the employees of the unions, having got the power into their own hands, are now attempting to control politically the very people who employ and pay them. It is an intolerable, situation that sooner or later is bound to cause trouble."

The "Herald" goes on to sny that Iho ntlitude of the executive anil the oiiieia! organ against Messrs. Veitch, Payne, and Robertson indicates that the former hnve counter-grievances agajnst Ihu latter. "We gather from othoi- sources that their main grievances are two: i'irst, that while three Labour candidates were Heeled whose constituents in Wanganui, Otaki, sind Grey Lynn were satieficel with their honour, only ono candidate (in Welling(on) got in out of thiise who were tied hand and foot by tho written pledge k> dear to the executive of tho N'cw Zealand Labour party. Secondly, that the executive in Wellington "backed the wrong horse,' only one Labour candidate (in Wellington) Retting in who supported tho. Ward Government, while three were elected who promised to vole him nut. The executive's grievances are more bitter l:e----caiiso somo of its personnel, tied by u pledge and supporting the Government, were among (hose beaten at-iiuvi polls. In consequence of these grievances', ' the official organ of the parly in Wellington is now rather stupidly endeavouring to show that Messrs. Veitch, Hobcrtson, and I'nyno are not Labour members at all. Members pledged in writing to tho unsuccessful Xwv Zealand Labour party they certainly are. not, but Labour members they certainly are, and it is of course quite ridiculous to call them otherwise. But the executive in Wellington foiled in its attempt to force a pledge on those who would have none of it, beaten at the polls and disappointed in what scorns its evident hope-'of reward from the (Jovcrniiicnt, it appears determined to spoil tho chance of thoso who succeeded where it failed, ami its conduct scorns to justify tho charge that it is going, tins right way to wreck its.own party. As events have turned out, that would not lw a great misfortune, for a newor, morn reasonable, and moro liberally-constituted party would certainly arise, and prominent Labourites in Wanganiii hint that l.hero is .'ome likelihood of this happening. Of course tho executive of thn Dominion party may back down. If it does not then an alto-

gether impossible situation of paid officials controlling the politics of t.hoir own employers is-i 11 continue for a. time. In any ni.-e, it; is abundantly clear thai the supporters of Mr. Veitch, ami, it is ftatod also, of Messrs. Payne, Koborlson, and others, are. not Roimf to submit to the dictation of a few wire-ptillw.*. and Ihnr, if the need arise?, they arc quite prepared to form another party which will, if successful, give thorn what past Governments have not given, and what the present so-called New Zealand Labour party will perhaps only pivo if tho wire-pullers choose. Whether Mich n new party would be successful remains, of course, to bo proved." ME. YEITCH INTERVIEWED. Masterton, January 24. Interviewed by a .representative of the "Wairarapa, Age" this evening, Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P. for Wanganni, said ho was not aware that a movement was alloat in Wangauui to form u separate Labour party. Ho admitted, however, that there was'a strong feeling against (.ho criticism of Messrs. liobertsou and Payne and himself by the Labour paper in Wellington. Mr." D. M'Laren, who was also interviewed, stated that tiio Labour paper in Wellington did not represent tho views of tho Labour party.