A PROTEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1920, Page 3

A PROTEST.

AT LABOUR CABLE. (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 20. A cablegram sent by the New Zealand Labour Party to Britain, expressing approval of the attitude of the Council of Action, was mentioned in the House to-day. The message was signed by P, Frqser, (President of tlie Labour Party), IT, Holland, (Chuirmnn of the Parliamentary Labour Party), and stated: ‘‘The New Zealand Labour Party unanimously supports the magnificent stand of British workers against militaristic and capitalistic attacks on the Russian Republic.” Hon W. F. Massey said he regretted exceedingly .that any members of the New Zealand Parliament, however few their numbers may be, should assist in tho harrassing of the British Government at a critical time by a small section of the people. Mr Fraser.—Six million workers.

Hon Massey.—The Hon member has no more right to speak for workers than any other member of the House. I believe that 90 per cent, of the population of this country, perhaps even a larger number, are thoroughly loyal. (Hearbear). They are opposed to Bolshevism, Sinn Feinism, I.W.Wism and all the other isms with which civilised countries of the world have been afflicted in the past few years. I hope there will be no more of this sort of thing. I know (.lie people of this country are prepared to stand by the Imperial Government in every way possible to prevent tile disintegration of the Empire, which seems to be the aim of those few with whom the Hon inember has been corresponding.

Mr Veitcli (Wangnuni), one of the independent Labour members, said lie regarded the cablegram purporting to represent workers’ views as an exceedingly serious incident. Would the Prime _ Minister give the House the opportunitv, by resolution or otherwise of expressing an opinion on the matter. Mr Massey.—l should be glad to take the suggestion into consideration. ! Mr “Sullivan,— I wish to ask the Prime Minister, in view of the large number of bye-elections won by the Labour Party in Great Britain during the past two years, what evidence lie has that the Labour Party to whose action he has just taken exception, represents a small and disloyal section of the community, and what evidence he has that the attitude of the Council of Action in Great Britain has not the approval 0 „ a majority of the people of Great Britain. Mr Massey replied.—l speak from my own personal experience and I believe that the persons referred to bv the hon member are no more repersentative of public opinion in Britain or tlie workers of Britain, than the small section of members who sit in that comer, (pointing to the Labour benches), are representative of New Zealand.