LABOUR UNITY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1776, 14 June 1913, Page 6

LABOUR UNITY.

There is apparently some agitation in Labour circles just now over what is regarded as an attempt to split the "unity" movement. Labour has never presented a wholly united political iront, but latterly there seemed to be a likelihood of it shaking off the fetters which havo hitherto prevented it exercising its full strength. Unfortunately for Labour and happily for the other political parties, it has always happened that one or more of the leaders of Labour have at a critical moment caused dissension in the ranks of the Labour party by urging compromise or by advocating an alliance which has prevented Labour striking out on some clear and definito policy of its own. The Unity Congress, fixed for July, really seemed likely to at last result in a united Labour movement until Mr. D. M'Lareh suddenly blossomed out as an advocate of a "Liberal"-Labour alliance, which would place Labour in the samo old position which it has occupied for so long in politics. No one, except perhaps the Labour party itself, can blame Mr. M'Laren for this. He wants to get into Parliament' again, and so he takes what seems to him the shortest cut to reach his goal. If Mn. M'Lakes were not an intending candidate at the next elections, and really looked forward to the Labour party some day dominating the politics of the country, his views probably would carry greater weight. As it is, he seems likefy to prove a useful ally of the existing dominant political parties by splitting the Labour vote. Tho Maoriland IForto', one of the official Labour journals, has some rather ■severe comments on Mr. McLaren's attitude. In its current issue, it charges him with having _ endeavoured to bow seeds of dissension

amongst the workers. To quote The Worker:— lie has apparently kid himself out to stultify tho success of the, July Congress, and by so doing prevent the Unity of Labour. He issues through the medium of tho brewers' organ [tho "Mew Zealand Times"] ail "appeal" to the toilers to forgo their previous decisions, and to follow tho road which leads to Liberalism, compromiso, and disaster. Wo do not wish lo indulge iirharsh criticism or comment, but theru is no comment too harsh or criticism too severe to level against cno who, knowing better, deliberately, in tho teeth of pledges and of party, attempts to assume tho role of Labour disrupter. \\ e might well question' tho right of Mr. M'Laron to remain in tho councils and upon tho executive of a paity whoso principles ho has flagrantly disregarded and destroyed.

This appears to be unduly severo on Mit. M'Laren. So far as we have followed his argument, the position is simple enough. He apparently argues that ho is not able to get. into Parliament without the support; of tho "Liberals," and, therefore, it is plain to him that the only sound and reasonable coursc that recommends itself to him is an alliance with tho "Liberals." Possibly he is right. Why should he sacrifice his own chances of success 'I What right has tho Labour party to expect him to prejudice his own chances of election 1 It is quite possible, of course, that if Me. M'Laren were not an intending candidate at the next general elections, he would be able to ecc moro clearly that no political party can hope to succeed which for a temporary advantage is willing to sacrifice its principles and sink its identity. An alliance with the discredited "Liberal" party may possibly enable Mr. M'Laren to secure a seat in Parliament, but what effcct is such an alliance going to have on the fortunes of the Labour party ? Does he really think that the public are so blind or so stupid as not to be able to see the admission of weakness which such a proposal implies? It has been urged that Me. M'Laren should not continue to reappear in the councils and upon the executive of the United Labour party. This is an unnecessarily narsh proposal'. If Mr. M'Laren gave a, personal pledge that he would not, in any circumstances, be a candidate at the coming general elections, he would place himself beyond all _ suspicion of being influenced, consciously or unconsciously, by personal motives. Possibly Mr. M'Lajren may realise this. It would certainly strengthen his hand in the coursc on which he has embarked.