IMPERTINENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 October 1901, Page 2

IMPERTINENCE.

Than the present Ministry controlling the destinies of New Zealand, no Government in any colony has done more for the cause of Labor ; and none deserve better treatment at the hands of Labor, Yet the Otago representatives do not think so; or possibly, what is more probable, it is the old story of past services counting for nothing ; promises for the future being the all

important point. A telegram from our Parliamentary correspondent, appearing in another column of this issue, throws a peculiar light upon the feelings that animate the minds of a section of the Dunedin workers—for the majority will never endorse such tyranical and absurd action. The Otago Labor Sports Committee, have denounced in unmeasured terms the action of the Government in granting a totalisator permit to the Dunedin Jockey Club, because forsooth that body dare to hold a race-meeting on Labor Day. The Committee not only object, but in an insulting letter to Sir Joseph Ward declare that in the future, on account of this, that they have resolved at future elections to oppose him and all persons who have thotemerity to support the Government of which he a member. As might be expected, the Colonial Secretary treated the letter with contempt. The Committee then addressed a similar communication to the Premier, who treated the letter as Sir Joseph Ward had done, and so the position stands. The Dunedin Labor Sports’ Committee have declared their intention of going against the Ministry, and this, we presume, in their opinion, means the immediate downfall of the Administration that gave them Labor Day; that placed Labor on a higher place than it ever occupied, and has made New Zealand—as has been generally admitted—the workman’s paradise. The Dunedin Sports’ Committee are, however, much mistaken. The position they have taken up will strengthen the Government, for no right-thinking man or woman will support such intolerable impertinence, such an ignorant assumption of tyranny, as that attempted by a few men in Otago, who owe so much to those they uow turn round and revile.