LABOUR SECTIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1982, 27 May 1919, Page 3

LABOUR SECTIONS.

EXTREMISTS AND MODERATES. VIEWS OF MR. VEITCD, Fa tln; Wanganui Herald on Wednesday, there appeared n loiter by Mr W. A. Vcikdi, M.P., containing some pluin statements as to the work oil moderates and extremists in the Labour Parly, and the attempt of the extremists to secure control of the movement. Portions of the loiter are as i allows: —When I was first elected to Parliament there were two opposing Labour Parties, one representing what is known as the extreme section, and the other (the United Labour Party) representing the Moderates. I was elected as a member of the United Labour Party. Some lime after this a joint conference of those two parties decided on a combination with a constructive programme, I did not concur in the combination, because I doubted the wisdom of trying to mix oil with Aval or, or build houses Avitli dynamite, but I remained and was recognised as a member of the Parliamentary Labour Group, of Avhich the late Mr Hindmarsh tvas chairman. This group Avprked fairly harmoniously until the advent of Mr Holland, avlao is temperamentally impossible in any group of men, and whose opinions on the war and other matters are repulsive to mo.

“The Freneh Revolution many years ago was the result oC public indignation at dishonest government, but it proved a bloody disaster to the Freneh people. The present Russian Revolution is the result of public 'discontent with unjust and oppressive government, but it has also proved an incalculable disaster to the Russian nation. Why 1 ? Because in both cases they attempted to right their wrongs by violence instead of by constitutional means. Similarly, though happily in a modified,form, the wickedness of the National Government in permitting itself to become the tool of certain vested interests has given the extremist’ his opportunity here, but what wo have to consider is whether the extremist can deliver the goods. Can he prevent vested interests securing control of the next Government? Nothing else is worth considering 'at this juncture. We cannot afford to lose our heads in a critical situation. No party can secure the Treasury benches, nor is entitled to, until it has commended itself to a majority of the electors.’’