Untitled

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2439, 10 June 1922, Page 2

(To the Editor)

Sir, —I was much amused at the letter over the camouflage of the “Welfare League,” but at the same time I was disappointed that the writer failed to put up an answer to my indictment, of the contrast of the name of the league, and the actions and utterances of the head of the league, and for that matter the league in general. If their reply is a sample of what will happen to us if they had the power, then goodbye to right to free speech and fair criticism. To think that reply is a sample of “enlightened unselfishness,” as preached by Mr P. C. Skerritt at the conference of Chambers of Commerce is almost asking too much. Would it not have been better for the League to get to work in the direction of doing something worth while, instead of wasting so much money in an attempt to cause dissatisfaction amongst the people for the common good of all? To say that people are suspicious of the above League is to put it mildly, indeed, for I am quite aware that neither Mr C. P. Skerriti or any of his satelites are willing to meet Mr H. E. Holland in public debate for reasons that are obvious. Take for instance the League itself, will it publish its list of office bearers and members? How many of the toilers hold office? And it’s a fair question to ask who subscribes to its coffers? wliaf they pay for huge paper propaganda per year, and how much have they paid out to alleviate the misery and unemployment at present in our midst ? Seeing that the League has taken to , publishing a Union’s supposed bal-ance-sheet, why not be fair and let us have a peep at theirs. So far as T am personally concerned all the abuse in the vast repertoire of the extremist in the Welfare League docs not annoy me in the least, for when the abuse comes I know T have touched the tender spot. Of course 1 know it is looked upon as impudence for any of the useful people to dare to question any ultcranee of the superior Welfare League, but tlion T happened to Colne into existence before the League, and did not happen to be fed on the dope they are finding such large fund's wherewith to try and influence (lie thinking apparatus of the nconlo at large; and workers in particular. T am told I require a square feed. Perhaps, hvi T happen to know flint millions of others le-'irre' -will" l‘<u ■' W 1 -i| is the Lenauc doing about them: have they helped to And “feed” 01 do they prefer to fill them with Union Bal-ance-sheets? By iheir hell ye shall knov them. “Enlightened unselfishness” to say rim’ a more mi -alisfaefory or unsulistantive prosecution had never been submitted, when defending the profiteers, and then to sav that the Le'gue was working- for the common weal, is just over the border line * f enlightened unselfishness. Tf (1 •> League really desires to live up to their name, but instead of confining their efforts for their own i articular benefits, why not instead of trying to find fault with others i;•<*<?! thorn on. common ground and evolve, a way out by mutual effort to the welfare of all. Thanking • on. Sir. E. G. M.'RTTN.