THE PARTY OF BLUFF

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1921, Page 2

THE PARTY OF BLUFF

OPPORTUNISM AND DECEIT.

AN INSULT TO THE WORKERS OF N.Z.

The present so-called “N.Z. Labour Party” started out as The Social Democratic Party but finding a chance lo exploit the name of Labor it purloined the name of a Party that had always stood for loyalty, sincerity and sound democratic principle. Revolutionists of the type of Messrs Holland and Fraser took charge and since then tliepa'rtyhns been one of trickery, bluff’ and opportunist sham.

Replying to tho Secretary of that party recently we said : “We sincerely believe that the party lias no principles, but is actuated by the opportunist motive of acquiring power by professing a mixed set of doctrines to catch votes by all possible means. Its supporters preach Liberalism, Socialism, Syndicalism, single tax, sovietism, materialism, and spirituality, according as it will suit. The only thing we have not found any of them preach is patriotism, and yet it calls itself a New Zealand Party.” WHAT OCCURRED AT PATEA.

That the above criticism is drastic we recognise but it is true. Here are some of the proofs. Mr H. E. Holland M.P., —the chief ing at Mosston School-house in the T'atea electorate, in support of his party’s candidate said:—-“The present Labour I Party were the logical and legitimate ! successors to Balance and Seddon, .and they were determined to carry on Liberalism in its true sense, and be worthy of the great past.” For sheer impudent political bluff that would lie hard to heat. The only answer possible would have been to name the speaker by a short word of four letters which all will readily supply. It is just as well for Mr Harry Holland that the late Richard John Seddon is not alive because he would have, politically speaking, kicked Mr, Holland from Dan to Bersheba for his cheek and impudence. That utterance of Mr Holland’s is proof of the op|K>rtunism we referred to. He wants Liberal votes and he lowers the Red Flag and hoists the flag of Liberalism for the time being. His statement in itself is a political lie. Reliance and Seddon stood for loyalty to their country and Enip re and their Liberalism consisted in placing die country and the public before class. They upheld the Institutions of private, property and capitalists production. In every one of these things the party of Mr Harry Holland is opposed to the Liberalism of 11aBanco and Seddon. It makes one sick of public life to read toe hypocritical assertions of this imported Revolutionist in reference to the dead statesmen he has mentioned. MR D. FRASER, AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

Speaking in October last at Palimvston North Mr I*. Eraser M.P.. eulogised the bolshevist movement in Russia bid Italy, particularly Russia. He_ advocated that the workers must organise on the ‘ industrial field, and battle r.ot merely for better working conditions but with the object of having the industries in which they worked controlled and directed by themselves (syndic uism). Tie added that with this obi -ct in view they should “eat tore the political machinery and apply it to bri g about the socialisation and communini o,f industry, trade and exchange There was no talk of “carrying oil liberalism in its true sense” there. 'Mr Fraser was not seeking votes at + lie time, but out to make converts to syndicalism. socialism and communism. WHAT THEY DTD NOT TELL.

When speaking in Paten electorate we can guess that Messrs Holland and Fraser would forget to tell these facts about their party. At the general eLetion their candidates were pledged on “Defence” to support this plank “A Citizen Army on a voluntary basis. ’ After the election was over, however, the party in Conference deleted the plank, which is n verv easy wav of not keeping your pledge. At the present time the party is in a state of doubt over the land planks of its platform. The planks have got bent or twisted somehow. A meeting of supposed firmer members lias been held to put matters straight hut the decision is hold over till next Conference oi the party. Meantime the electors of a fanning electorate are being asked to vote lithe party’s candidate on a platform that is less than “a scrap of paper” for some of it is not yet written dovn. The whole attitude of this precious parity of political professors is contained in the words “them's my sentiments if they don’t suit they can be altered.” Opportunism is its watchword. (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League.)