THE LABOR PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 April 1921, Page 6

THE LABOR PARTY.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —A few days ago I wrote you (in the absence of a verbatim report), correcting some inaccuracies contained in the letters of correspondents appearing in your issue of the 13th inst., dealing with the speeches of Labor members of Parliament, delivered on the 10th inst. This being accbmplished I thought my task ended, my object being simply to secure, if possible, a fairer hearing for them. Now I find myself being metaphorically sniped at, from an ambuscade of anonymity, by being asked a series of questions, most of which are irrelevant. “Observer” bars what he calls “windy phrases,” and demands straight answers in this unequal battle, yet 1 question if he would be altogether satisfied with such. For example, I Answer “Yes” to each of his first two questions, but the word “loyalty” is a much-abused word, and demanding a straight answer to such an undefined term seems like the test question of the Mohammedan, “Are you a believer in Islam ?” when he has the dagger poised. If swallowing without question the policies of militaristic intrigue carried on by the jingoes of all lands is “loyalty,” the Labor Party is disloyal, but, on the other hand, if strenuous opposition to these is loyalty, then they are loyal, for until that opposition becomes irresistible, mankind will continue to be sacrificed ofe the altar of military ambition. Of the three questions about Queensland, the two latter are quittf irrelevant, arid the first I will only deal with in so far as it concerns Mr. McCombs’ speech. I am not aware that the Queensland Government has increased accident insurance by 50 per cent., though if they did it would not be surprising, as the benefits have increased also. Mr. McCombs gave an instance in which a benefit was granted where no profit-making private company would have considered giving one. The last question also diverges greatly from the subject of my first letter, viz., the Labor members’ speeches, but I would like to point out that a recent report states that New Zealand State coal sells cheaper than coal from the other mines. In conclusion, I would like to say that it is an easy matter to make wild statements about other countries and demand immediate disproof, but it is not easy to refute them, except by more wild denials, or perhaps by second sight, which I don’t possess, but for all that proportional representation is a just electoral system. State shipping and railways, State banks backed by the people’s credit, and State insurance, are sound principles, as sound, safe and sure as the State post office, and the success of these should be judged not so much by profits as by service.— I am, etc., A. J. FAIRWEATHER. Koru, April 21. P.S.—lf “Observer” discloses his name and address I might ask him a few questions.—A.J.F.