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Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1928, Page 4

The Argus this week complained that this paper was responsible for a scarcely veiled charge of disloyalty against the Leader of the Labour Party. We think we apologised for that doubt in the mind of our contemporary, but in ease there should still be any lingering doubt on the matter, we would refer

our contemporary to an excerpt from the New Zealand Times which deals with,Mr Holland’s public attitude towards the 1913/strike. Of course wo will be charged with raking up the wretched past, but there are so many young voters coining of age in later years, that it is well they should be au fait with important past political events which left their mark on the history of New Zealand. It is as well for electors to study the eligibility of the Labour Social.st Party under the present leadership to rule, and if voters do not consider it safe to entrust the government of New Zealand to such a party, then votes should not he cast for the Labour Socialist candidates. The issue on these grounds is a matter of national safety and security, and it is becoming so to be regarded by the public at large. No elector with the welfare of his country at heart will be inclined to east a vote for a party which has shown out of the words of their public utterances that their attitude is distinctly hostile to the standing of Now Zealand as an integral part of tbe Empire. Before polling day there will be opportunity to reproduce utterances by responsible leaders of the Party, and it will ho a surprise to many to find how extreme and uncompromising their views are where national interests are concerned. Neither would it be wise in the public interests and for the outside reputation of New Zealand that the Labour Socialistic Party under its present leadership should he put on a pedestal as the official political opposition. That is an honour too distinguished for those u’ho have ridiculed royalty, scoffed at vice-royalty, and declared war on all things of a loyal bearing. The party leaders have been guilty of inciting violence, and of inviting those maintaining law and order to neglect their duties and permit excesses to happen. Similar advice has been given only just recently in Australia, and we have seen tbe said results, where lives and property have been jeopardised, and the public security menaced. Those who may say these things could not happen in New Zealand, have but to con over the words of Mr Holland used in public places in Wellington in 1913. The same incitement to revolt was expressed in plain language, and thanks to the strong hand of Mr Massey in those days, the revolt was suppressed. Mr Bruce has the same task before him in Australia now, and as history has this unfortunate knack of repeating itself New Zealanders would be well advised on. tbe 14b. day of November to so use their votes that Labour Socialist candidates will not be encouraged to repeat the story of 1913.