The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, March 24, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1224, 24 March 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, March 24, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

It will be noticed that while Mr VV. H. Field states he has not given authority for the statement that he will be a candidate for the Otaki seat in the Government interest at the forthcoming general election, he does not deny the report. Whether it be true or false, the rumour has caused some consternation among the leaders of the Federation of Labour, whose only hope for the success of their candidate at the forthcoming election is iu a multiplicity of candidates. If Mr Field finally decides to stand iu the Government interest his prospects of success are practically assured, because we believe he would be acceptable to the Government following throughout the constituency. If, however, he decides to contest the seat as an Independent, with leanings towards the Party in power, loyal Party men may feel compelled to bring out a candidate absolutely in the Party interest, which would result in a division of votes, to the advantage of the Reds.’ candidate. Mr Byron Browu has said defi nitely that he intends to seek election, and no doubt he could command a following which would, we make bold to say, be much less than either a straight-out Government candidate or Mi Field. Anyhow, if the constituency desires to continue to be represented by the Federation of Labour candidate, a multiplicity of candidates will do the trick, and we can believe that the Reds will endeavour to work the oracle lo this end.

The Premier has been well received throughout his tour of the West Coast. He addressed a large audience at Hokitika on Saturday evening, and bad something to say in reference to the inside history of the recent strike, “We held conferences,” he said. “ over which I presided, but we could not secure any agreement, and you would not be surprised that we failed if you had heard some of the things that were said to me iu that conference. I was told that if I did not secure a settlement within two or three days, then the streets of Wellington would run red with blood ; that the red flag of Socialism would fly over Parliament Buildings, and that New Zealand would be the first Socialistic Republic of the world. Of course ” added the Prime minister, “ this was all * hot air,’ and no attention was paid to it. It shows, however, how impossible it had been to compLte satisfactory negotiations.” Mr Massey further condemned the “vanity, stupidity, and obstinacy” of the strike leaders, who sadly misled their men, and said that the worst enemies of New Zealand were men who were trying to foment difficulties between employer and employee. If this country was to progress at all this would have to be dropped, and both sides work together for the good of the grand little country in which we lived. These references to the strike were heartily endorsed by the meeting, which specially applauded the enunciation of the Government’s intention lo maintain law and order at all costs.

“ Oneooker ” writes from Shannon to the Levin Chronicle m respect to the prevalence of “ two-up ” at a number of flaxmills iu this district. He says “every Saturday until Monday mornings these schools are iu full swing, and hundreds of young fellows —boys, in fact —are ‘ taken down' for their wages by a set of harpies who make it a business to live on these 1 mugs.’ The modus operand! is: these men come along and work (say) a week or so and then make a ‘ haul ’ and 1 get.’ The other day one of these rooks took ,£l3O for one Sunday’s work.” Our contemporary’s correspondent then goes on to charge the flaxmill owneis with indifference, and adds ; “they know these two-up schools exist, and make no effort to stop them. The consequence is the men are iu a state ot impecuniosity, and- of course are ripe for the agitator when he comes along. The apathy ot the mill owners for the well-being of their employees is sometbing to be wondered at. They will not consider any scheme for the brightening of their men’s lives. I know of many schemes that have been put before different owners, but their interest iu the meu ceases when the whistle blows

iii the a'ternoon.” We cannot answer for all the owners, bul we must correct the sweeping statement in reference to the indifference of all the mill o.vuers, We know of several millers who have not only appealed to the police on the subject, but have warned employees that indulgence in the game on their property carried with it instant dismissal. Tbe same strict rule is enforced in respect to carrying intoxicating liquor to the camps. It is practically impossible for the employers to stamp out these schools unless the employees loyally back them up. As for schemes for brightening tbe men’s lives, can it be denied that certain of the employers in this district have not expended hundreds of pounds in catering for their employees comfort ? In any case the moral uplift of the employees could, with advantage, be left in the hands of those who are paid to look after the interest of the employees.