A FEW THOUGHTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1918, Page 6

A FEW THOUGHTS.

To the Editor. Sir,—Kindly allow me a little space to enumerate a few thoughts on. the political situation of to-day. Why the local press are antagonistic to labor representation I cannot comprehend, because labor principles are identical with those of our late democratic statesman, Richard Seddon, whose ideals were in the political administration of the destinies of this flower of the Pacific, to enact legislation that would bring the maximum of prosperity with the 'minimum of misery to its people; also equal opportunities for all. To achieve those ideals it is imperative that a more equal representation of labor and capital is necessary. Men of both calibre must possess a nobler conception of national service and courage in expounding the true principles of democracy.. At present our political machinery, like municipalities, are governed by the few, the majority not knowing what is going on. Lack of unity and trust seems apparent. President .WUson, >hjow»v|crt educating the masses beyond expectation. In his address the other day he stressed the necessity of open diplomatic negotiations. He said: "Let eaeh nation, yea the whole human family, see' that negotiations are honest aaid clean in every phase of national adainfetation; let the fraternal spirit pewade." We should obliterate the many "isms" that pollute our political municipal and' social life. Your leader oa the cost of living is endorsed by every working man, and our legislators should have discussed the question in the open House. Equal representation would have amended it. Instead they have eucouraged private monopolies, It's unfair for some editors to class labor leaders with! Russia's BokhevikiMß, be« eause 95 per cent of the Russian population are illiterate, and can neither read nor write, and we can conceive the difficulties that the Provisional Govcrnroeat r has to face in the light of the corrupt Russian court and hierarchy tliat was selling the Russian army to the Germans; I say with all sincerity that Labor is just as keen to prosecute the war to a victorious end as any other ■ section of the community, and are fully ' represented in the firing line; and ought to be better represented imperially The fund»»ental principles of democracy ,M W «t a closer bond of unity, political-

monopolies, graft and exploitations, so that the human family may be one federation working and living in fraternal co-partnership for the welfare of one and all. Why not?—l am, etc., A. J. RICHARDS, Autere Street, New Plymouth.