HARD TASKMASTERS.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 4308, 20 April 1907, Page 4

HARD TASKMASTERS.

Commenting on some recent happenings in New Zealand the Sydney Telegraph remarks that .the. resolution passed by the Trades and Labour Conference at Dunedin, New,,- -.Zealand, “strongly reprobating!” the “uncalled for, offensive, and contemptible references” made 'by two members of the Government to the lAustraUan .slaughtermen in the colony, is. significant of an interesting political development, and Continues: —“As far as Mir Millair, one of the reprobated -Ministers, is -Concerned, it proves tli!at there is more solidarity in the unionistic institution he used to belong to than in the-poli-tidal one ho is now) attached to. When the recent strike was in full blast, and the Government was trying! to convince itself 'and the public that there could not possibly 'her a strike in New Zealand, Mir Millar declared that the whole trouble was caused by soma Australian slaughtermen. So far from that excuse placating local unionists, however, it has, as we see, aroused their fraternal indignation. Nor is this the first time that unionism has had to reproach the Minister, who was formerly one of . its ardent -officials. A few weeks ago it tried' to call him to account for appointing , some nonunionists to official •’Positions, and upon failing to make him see that unionists were entitled to a monopoly of such jobs departed with ai Marat-like warning that he would not last long in his own position. Thus, and .by 'other signs, a parting of the political ways in New Zealand is indicated. History bias a nasty knaick of repetition. When Mr Sedldon Was alive, Mr Millar was said to have been one of the venturesome members who warned ' him that his Ministry was weak, and | must be suspected to a stiffening recon ’ struiction. Now Labour reminds Mr Millar that the Government he sits in is weak from the viewpoint of stalwart unionism, and becomes increas-i ingly resentful of its disinclination! for extreme Radicalism. Thus the Ward Cabinet and an influential section of .the supporters of the Seddon regime seem to be gradually drifting apart, and toward the formation of an exclusive Labour party, the effect- of which 'would 1 be to obliterate the political landmarks and erect new ones.” 'And it will be all the better for New Zealand when the Socialists are dropped. They have gone quite far enough, and can well cry a Walt.