THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2192, 16 May 1908, Page 1

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

POLITICAL LABOR LEAGUE.

It will be remembered (says the “Dunedin Star”) that at a Trades and Labor 1 Conference some years ago it was decided to form an Independent Political Labor Party, which has been in existence for some time. It would now seem as though a complication has arisen, for at a meeting of the Trades and Labor Council last week it was agreed to call a meeting of tho executives of all the unions with a view to considering the political situation. Rumor has it that this step has been taken with the object of strengthening tho Political Labor League, and that a portion of the workers are desirous of running candidates against Messrs. Barclay, Sidey, and Arnold, with a view to capturing these seats for tlio more advanced Socialistic party in three years time.

Regarding tho legislation forecasted by the Premier for the; next session the “Evening Post” says:—Already the references of tlio amending Arbitration Act to the principal Act have become obscure; and if a third Act is placed on the top of these two tliero is a danger that the whole structure will topplo into a gulf of misunderstanding. Legislation regarding labor, in particular, should bo plainly comprehensible by the multitude,‘in order that tho hundred thousands workers and employers who have to follow an unfamiliar law may may be able without the least difficulty to understand all that the law requires of them. And, when Parliament is considering the amendment of the Arbitration Acts, it might also consider the necessity of .amending the administration of the Arbitraton Acts. We have seen in the Blackball case, liow 'the law against aiding ami abetting strikes is nullified by the sheer refusal of the Minister for Labor to apply it or even to inquire of the authoritive court whether his inaction lias the least shred of legal justification. THE PAH I ATUA SEAT.

There is a deadlock amongst tho supporters of tho 'Opposition party in the Pahiatua electorate (says tlio “Dominion”), over the 'claims of Messrs J. C. Cooper, AY. -Hawkins, and Major Bolton, all of whom have announced their intention to contest the seat at the forthcoming general election. Some time ago a meeting was held in Pahiatua which decided in favor of Mr Cooper as the selected candidate. This has been followed by another meeting held at Wood vi lie. where amongst other things under consideration was an allegation that Mr Hawkins had [hedged himself to Major Bolton not to contest the Pahiatua sent. A letter was read from -Air Hawkins giving this' statement an emphatic denial, declaring his intention to contest the seat against all comers, and refusing absolutely to placo his name in the hat before any conference.. After a considerable amount of discussion, the mooting resolved that it could not see its way to support either Major Bolton or Mr Cooper, and that it pledged itself! to support Mr Hawkins.