THAT COMPACT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2310, 18 November 1914, Page 6

THAT COMPACT

WARDISTS & THE RED FEDS.

A FRANK ADMISSION

(By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.'. Christchurch, November 17. Mr. Field's and Mr. Robertson's statements at Otaki as to the WardSemple compact aire very interesting, but they are dull Icompared with the startling story told last night by Mr. Hiram Hunter, president of the Social Democratic Party, and candidate for Christclrurch East.

On Monday the "Lyttelton Times," in a pained and subdued article, rebuked the "Press" for its declaration that such a compact existed. Its strongest statemont was that it was "unfair and improper to persistently endeavour, to fasten lied Fedism on to Sir Joseph Word and his party." Mr. Hunter opened his campaign last night, and ho said, speaking as president of tho Social Democratic Party, that there had been an understanding arrived at from one end of the country to the other on the part of Labour to stand united to put lihe present Government out of office. The Reform Party ha'd gone to the country three years be•fore, promising to give the workerß a square deal, arid they ha'd made other promises which they (had not performed. While the workers were not satisfied with the Liberal Party, they were absolutely disgusted with the Reform Party. • "In order to put the Reform Government out of office," continued Mr. Hunter, "we have had some dealings with Sir Joseph Ward, Leader of the Liberal Party, and we have got one of our number to go through the country to try to prevent, as far as possible, the splitting of the Progressive vote, so that the reactionaries might be put out. I think that will meet with the approval of Labour from one.end of the country to other. I -think it will also meet with the' approval of the Liberals. The Social Democratic candidate; in pursuance of this : arrangement, has withdrawn from Wellington, Central in order to permit of a. clean cut contest between Mr. Fisher and Mr. Fletcher. On the West Coast, Mr. O'Regan has withdrawn in favour of Mr. Colvin, the Liberal candidate. "Mr. Kigg, out delegate, went down to Dunedin to arrive at ah understanding for the Liberal Party to contest' two seats and Labour two. I am saying this in order that you may see that Labour tried its best to avoid a splitting of votes. The Labour Party in Christchurch East thought that there being no Liberal candidate announced, the Liberal Party' would refrain from running one. Sir Joseph Ward informed Mr. Rigg that so far as he concerned'he would do nothing to nominate a Liberal candidate for Christchurch East, and that he would abide by that decision, but it seems that the forces belonging to what is known as the Liberal and Labour Association -thought otherwise. They submitted names "to Sir Joseph Waril, but he refused to nominate anyone. In spite of tho wishes of Sir Joseph Ward, however, the Liberal and Labour Association have nominated Dr. Thacker. Dr. Thacker, however, is not the accredited representative of the Liberal Party. Sir Joseph Ward informed me since the nomination was mado that it did not meet with his endorsement."

Mr. Hunter went on to say that the Liberal and Labour Association could not claim to speak or act on behalf of Labour, ■as it was not representative of Labour, though it might contain in,its ranks working men. He claimed to be the only accredited representative of Labour standing in the' constituency. Commenting on- this statement, the "Press" naturally remarks: "If the Opposition were to secure a majority at the polls- (which, happily, thev will not) the new Government would be in personnel, and .certainly in respect of policy, the political executive to the Red Feds, who would be able, by holding the balance of power, to force their allies to do whatever the Federation might desire."

In conversation to-day a prominent Australian Labour politician now in New Zealand said: "When I left we thought your Government was going out, but I have told my friends in Australia (mentioning the best known of Australia's politicians) that I have concluded that the reverse is the: - case. Tories! Well, no. There are none in Now Zealand. ■ As far as I have seen, your so-called Tories are a deal more Radical than' our Liberals."