CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1917, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE LABOUR PARTY

(To the Editor). Sir,—l. notice by a local appearing in

your issue of the 21st. that a start lias been made -to form a branch of the N.Z. Political Party in the Westland Electorate . I cannot help thinking that the time is most opportune and it rests with the toilers to make a success of it. Westland is justly proud of the past traditions of Liberalism and the days when liberalism stood for political advancement, Westland was its cliosen borne. But to-day when Liberalism is allied to the party of reaction it i s only natural that the Democracy of Westland must turn for an outlet to the only party that stands for progress and that party is the N. Z.P.L.P. The session just ended has surely proved to all who take an unbiased view of matters political the incompetency of the National Government to deal with the natural issues arising out of the war. Take the Cost of Living Question. . After being shelved and sidestepped as long as possible, they, as a last 'resource set up a Commission, not with the intention of solving the problem, Ipit- for'.the purpose, which is patent to all who have watched their rnaneuvriiig of saving their friends the exploiters and so tho old game of criminal profiteering goes merrily on. Some short time ago Air. Massey had the effrontery to challenge a'monster deputation from the Wellington Town Hall protest meeting to instance a single (case of profiteering in which ho could prosecute. The question of prosecuting is Mr Massey’s business and nobody elses. TTe is there to do the right thing for Hie people, but I think the figures quoted below speak for them selves. For the three years 1914-15-1 6 the total war profits on exported goods amounted to the enormous sum of £31,234,902 and .locally consumed goods to £T7,465,093 which gives us a grand total of £48,699,995. Yet in spite of this indictment we are assured there is no profiteering going on. To quote the innumerable instances of maladministration of the present Government is not my purpose, hut in conclusion T would urge on all lovers of Liberty and Democracy to give the proposed L.P., which is the only Party that stands for Progress, their hearty support. Thanking you for the valuable space accorded me. T am,etc. 1 T; N. W.