Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1923. THE LABOUR PARTY AND THE PUBLIC SERVANTS. DANGEROUS POLICY OF SYNDICALISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2579, 12 May 1923, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1923. THE LABOUR PARTY AND THE PUBLIC SERVANTS. DANGEROUS POLICY OF SYNDICALISM.

LABOUR (uid I ho Labour Party are subjects upon which wo fear groat numbers of people have bill the vaguest ideas. The word “Labonr” on its personal side includes all who work and it is by no means synonymous with the word's “Labour Party" ms it fan be stair] with absolute truthfulness that the majority of workers in Xew Zealand are not in the party named “The X.Z. Labour Party.” A study of the real nature and objects of Labour Organisations and the Labour Party should be seriously made by all electors of the country. We have liberalised the franchise until all power is in the hands of the masses. Tt becomes a mailer of vital importance to every individual as to how the mass is going lo use this power. To understand in the least what is taking place and what the movements may lead to, close attention should be given to the parly organisation as therein lie- the force which largely governs the peoples' actions. There are thousands of people now who “vole Labour," as if is put, in complete ignorance of the present X.Z. Labour Party’s Constitution, aims, and objects. Largely from more sentiment which is utterly at variance with actual facts many vote for the Labour Party who would scout the idea of endorsing its policy of class dictatorship did they understand what is is leading to. So long as there are no acts of violence the public are prone to think that the most disruptive doctrines are mere innocent ebulitions until the men holding such views gain power and the people waken to the storm that has overtaken them. We Mud many who vote for the Labour Party as they knew if twenty years ago, or because they like certain men personally. It is time to realise that the present Labour Party is not the old Trades Unionist Labour Party but an entirely different organisation and movement altogether. The old X.Z. Labour Party stood for bettering the conditions of the masses under [lie existing socinl system. The Red Labour Party of to-day is out to destroy file existing social system, and substitute therefore a system of proletarian eontro.l and direction resting mainly upon passion and theory. The matter of our liking for particular individuals whilst recognisable as a trait of human nature should be held subservient to the greater duty of endorsing only such principles as are safe for our community, our nation and Empire. In voting for individuals we should distinguish where they stand, not as individuals but for a party, and judge wlmt the party stands for, ns it is that which counts and nothing else. There should be no mistake in this —the present “X.Z. Labour Party" stands for International Socialism which is a political creed that would dismember the British Empire. In social affairs this party stands for Hie principle of class domination in industry and in all public services which, if applied, will constitute a revolution of the whole basis of social v.

IN order to gain power (lie Kcd Parly is |ireparod to sacrifice t lit* nation to class interest. Ii is a most ( mining move if is now milking fo secure flm support of (he Public Servants throughnut the count rv I>.\promising them the virltml mastership of tin* Services they ore engaged in. This promise is so flattering t!ml it ennnot he wondered nf if ninny necepf it wit hout nine it cunsidernlion of' what if may ultimately lend to. That we are not exaggerating the danger confronting our country can he seen bv reference to this party's pin I form (National and Municipal). In hath the bait is held out to the public servants that if they will only support the Labour Party it will make them the masters of t he Public Service. Though some may be caught in this mesh wo cannot believe that the majority are so lacking in true patriotism as to place self-interest before the public right; or so wanting in democratic principle as to forget that the public services tire the property of the public and not of any section, however large or important it may be. This is from the national platform of the . above party: —“Where national ownership of an industry is effected, all labour for such industry and at least, half the Board of Control in each ease shall be appointed by the Union or Unions affected.’’ Then there is clause 2, of the Constitution of the N.Z. Alliance

of Labour, which reads thus: “The collective ownership of 1 he means of production and distribution, and control of all industries by the workers who operate them in the interests of' the community.’' As further evidence of the class purpose of this party we find in its Municipal platform the following 1 : “Representation of Tramwavmews Union on I lie Management Committee of the Tramways, and other city employees on the Management Committee of the various city services.” Readers will recognise that what is affirmed in these classes is a definite policy of Labour syndicalism. Tt is a grave danger to the democracy of our country. Our hope is that the people will wake up to the evil thus confronting them and use all their power to stamp it out before it becomes too late. Hitherto there has been too much apathy shown, the evil now is for active opposition to this disruptive menace.