LABOUR AMD LIBERALISM.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1815, 30 July 1913, Page 11

LABOUR AMD LIBERALISM.

Sir,—l am greatly interested in your j new-found friendship and admiration for j Mr. Tregear, Mr. Tregear'b nttitudu "Appears-to be in ore disinterested than that of the United Labour party leaders" you aasuw your readers. Really, you should not ticklo the old gentleman in that way. It you .do, he jviil rise to the top like a trout. Never judgo a. book by the cover. Mr. Edward Tregear refused to sign his application for membership in the Labour party until he got an assurance that it would not prevent his accepting from the Liberal party a seat in the Legislative Council. So far as I know, he is the only man who ever came in , to < tile party witn any such selfish reservation*. 'A meeting of the Labour party was held in Wellington inDecember, li)ll, on the evening, following the first. ballot. \Vc had three candidates, Messrs. Hindmarsh, M'Laren, and Moore depending on the Literals for support in the second ballot. The man who bleated and blared tor. a declaration in favour of Liberalism was Mr. Tregear., Among tho men who spoke and voted against that proposal were the "political aspirants of the paid trades union secretary variety." This should show yon -tho folly of building an anti-Labour argument on a bad foundation. The "paid trade union secretary" type of offensivpness is one that will usually ticklo tho oars of tho unthinking.' But since we have been brought into close touch with your "disinterested" friend, St. Edward, we find that his halo is tawdry tinsel. It would seem that his "independence" has sprouted since Legislative Council and Royal Coinntisison appointments have been lost to Liberalism.—l am, etc., M. J. REARDON.