WHERE IS "UNITED LABOUR"?

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 31, 6 February 1913, Page 6

WHERE IS "UNITED LABOUR"?

Many invitations have been given to the United Labour Party's executive to publish an official opinion on the results of the Socialist-Labour Conference, but all appeals are in vain. Usually these officers are quick to reply if they be> lieve that they have not been treated fairly, but this time a deep silence envelops them. Cannot the head give some kind of a lead to the body? Are the sheep to guide the shepherds? "The hungry sheep look up,- and are not fed." Apparently the executive is content to wait and see how matters will develop at the July conference to consider the projected Red-Socialist basis of union. Meanwhile the secretary of the Canter* bury Trades and Labour Council (a component part of the United Labour Party) has informed a Christchurch reporter tllat as the outcome of the conclave of January the unions which severed their connection with the council were anxious to become again affiliated with it, and by this statement it is implied that the proposed Socialist alliance is approved by those unionists who are returning to tho fold of United Labour. In this week's issue of the Maoriland Worker, official organ of" the Red Federation and of the new "unity" campaign, Mr. Walter T. Mills, writing as "national organiser, United Labour Party," remarks .-—"The reason why unity was impossible two years ago was because at that time there was a widespread and sincere disagreement with regard to the matters here mentioned. It is equally evident that now, just because the workers through the experience of recent months have come to substantial agreement on all these points, unity in organisation and unity in action become just as inevitable now as it seemed impossible two years ago." And the basis?— Ultra-Socialism, according to the votes of United Labour's re* presentatives at the conference. The official organ of the Reds is naturally jubilant. "The frank acceptance, unani-' mously, of the principles of industrial unionism by delegates assembled was cheering to the heart of many," it says. "The equally frank, acceptance of the principles of Socialism politically filled many a heart with joy. The cheers that greeted the final acceptance of a basis of industrial and political unity marked the coming of "Labour to its senses." By "senses" the paper means the appreciation of crude Socialism. ' Where is United Labour? New Zealand knows where the "Revolutionaries" stand, but where are the "Eivolutionariesf" Mint reticent oxecutive may hold its tongue for a little while longer, but it must speak before the next municipal elections or be content with the red brand of the prospective allies. Mr. D. M'Laren, who, as Mayor, wished "success" for the delegates at the con« ference, has not yet commented on tho results, but no doubt ho will be asked for some opinions during the next few weeks. Labour — which Labour?— is running a full "ticket"" foi the municipal contests, and the people will be eager to see the colour of that "ticket " The Labour candidates have to face the task of explaining their attitude in relation to the Labour-Socialist Conference

A representative of the Zoological Society states that a comment in yesterday'o Post wrongly indicated that this organisation had decided to ask the City Council to assist it in obtaining addition^ inhiutes for th* 1 Zoo. Tho soci^y has never sought the council's aid id such activities.