An Open Letter to Edward Tregear.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 45, 19 January 1912, Page 16

An Open Letter to Edward Tregear.

>Sir. —Wnoii our Union nominated John'Kobertson., M.1 , ., as candidate for the Otaki scat, wo prefixed to tho circular issued to our members tho following quotation: —"Arouse tho workers to a son.se of their folly •in doing as they have so often dout-'in the past—mum'-ly, voting for men who are the open and avowed agents of those ivho exploit the workers and suck tlu-in dry. I tell you that with regard to tho Arbitration Court or any other court, the ballot iv your hands can be made a whip of knotted cords wherewith to scourgetho money changers from the temple of God's justice."

Those words wore taken from a speech by one Edward Tregear to the Trades and Labor Council.

Wβ fought an uphill hVht for weeks. Against us wore allied all the resources of'tlio Government, all tlie influence of a wealthy party, all the power of the local liquor trade—and Edward Tregear.

Every from Shannon to tho southern end of the electorate did thoir best to ensure our defeat, and the efforts of "bung" wero bolstered by Edward Tregear.

Of the somewhat dubious and devioue methods of ■electioneering practised by our political opponents we do not propose at tho moment to speak, save to call your attention to the fact that these methods were backed up and en<dorsed by a, telegram from Edward Tregear.

"Let the electors know," said the message, "that Robertson has no connection witli the New Zealand Labor Party." The telegram was addressed to the Government candidate and was signed by Edward Tregear. The implication (to the average man in the street) was that Robertson had claimed connection with this party. As a matter of fact, our candidate made it perfectly clear at eyory meeting that ho was' connected with iw> party and pledged to no platform save the one which he so clearly enunciated. If there is any explanation of your telegram we shall be pleased to have it.

As it now stands, you would seem to "have urged the workers to vote for the "open and avowed" agent of Wardism in preference to a straight-out Labor man.

Wo owe you gratitude for mucli courtesy and consideration when you were Secretary for Labor, and it is with deop and sincere regret that we find such pleasant memories overshadowed by the recollection of Edward Tregear as the "open and avowed" ally of priestcraft, publicanism and fat.—Yours, etc., PERCY T. ROBINSON, Secretary Manawatu Flaxmill Employees' Union.