A WANTON LIBEL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8359, 20 February 1913, Page 6

A WANTON LIBEL

There appear to be no limits to tha violent extremes to which the squats ters’ journal seems prepared to go in its campaign of abusive invective and vituperation against the Labour party in general and that section of it in particular that is classed as the Fcd-< oration of Labour. However, there is a point at which tha forbearance of the people who are being so constantly and wantonly assailed must necessarily become exhausted, and when they must seek some legitimate and reasonable method of protection from tho unreasonable and unwarrantable attacks of tho squatters’ organ. This point was certainly reached and passed by our somewhat reckless contemporary in its issue of yesterday, when it attempted once more to draw a parallel between the dynamite outrages in America and the policy of the Federation of Labour; during tho Waihi strike. The com. parison was unfair and, we would sug< gest, positively wicked. But tho squat, tors’ organ evidently does not think so. Not content with instituting tha parallel, it goes much further when it says:—“The New Zealand Federation, of Labour, after its excursion into tha policy of revolvers and gelignite, drew, back for a moment in alarm at tha horror and indignation which it had aroused in the minds of everybody; but the spokesmen of the federation! have regained their courage, and are; quite boldly assigning guilt to those who oppose tho weapons of anarchy and murder.” Now, this paragraph conveys a suggestion that is wholly unjustifiable and that also makes a serious charge against the Federation' of Labour. On more than one coca* sion, we have pointed Out to our con. temporary that it was wildly overstep* ping the bounds of moderation, but, taking fresh courage from each unchecked venture upon dangerous ground, it has returned again and again to tho unnecessary onslaught with increased violence. This latest attack is the most bitter and iho moat unwarranted we have read. As we said yesterday, there was nothing in the whole history of the Waihi strike to justify tho association of the Federation of Labour with the use of revolvers or dynamite. Tho squatters”’ organ has apparently made up its mind to think otherwise. Not only that, but recklessly disregarding the restraints imposed upon malicious journalism by the libel law, it has boldly challenged an issue with tho Federation of Labour in this wanton and indefensible sentence:— The Tost” goes on to o«y, and what it eayo here applies perfectly v to the agitators who support the. Federation of Labour and its revolver and dynamite outrages at Waihi and Waiiiiuo. etc., eta There is only one meaning in this libellous indictment. The squatters'' organ has flung down the gauntlet to the Federation of Labour, it has accused it of revolver and dynamite out-, rages at Waihi and WaiMno, and thq Federation has no alternative, in vindication of its own policy and repute, tion, but to accept the. challengeWhatever tho influence behind the squatty?’ organ, there is a legal limit to tho license it is apparently pre. pared to arrogate to itself, and we shall not be surprised if that limit is defined in the law courts without fur* ther delay.