The Labour’Party's Pledge and Position.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13524, 4 November 1911, Page 8

The Labour’Party's Pledge and Position.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Arc the members -A the local "advanced” section, self-styled the Labour I’arty, so unbusinesslike as to send a representative to Parliament in no way bound to them or their platform? It must be so, judging by his denial in the Opera House that he is pledge-bound. Thereat he was very sarcastic and severe on the Government members for remaining faithful to their party and leader! But was quite indignant when asked if he was pledge-bound. Is he then a free lancer If so, the local "Labour Party” differs very materially from similar organisations in Great Britain and Australia, as in the said countries every Labour nominee is strictly pledged and all business is transacted in caucus. Mr Yeitch must know full well that but very few, it any, of the party which he professes to follow will be elected. And, therefore, as a supporter of the Liberal and Labour cause I am very dissatisfied with his answer to the question, viz., "If you are elected and the present Government be returned to power, how wil' you vote on a no-confidence motion?” His answer struck me as that of a rail-sitter, viz., the meaning was that it depended on circumstances. What does he mean ? If he be the oniy one of the "Independents” elected, is ho going to vote with the Opposition, the men who have usurped the title of the “Reform Party”? Or is he going to play the same dog-in-the-manger policy toward the Government here as the 'Labour Party in England does to the Liberal Party under Mr Asquith and Mr Lloyd George—always growling, hut always toeing the line? Personallv I should' like more explicit answers, 'but I cannot understand why he comes forward at present to oppose the sitting member, who has quite as advanced a platform as himself, and who is tried and true to Labour. Is it. Mr Editor, that all Labour organisers are ambith.us to become members of Parliament?—l am, etc , PLAIN BILL.