FAIR PLAY EVEN IN SOCIALISM

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2349, 16 November 1908, Page 7

FAIR PLAY EVEN IN SOCIALISM

[To the Editor.] Sir, —lii his address at the; Theatre evening Mr C’ayton made reTVerence to Mr Eos ter as the isecretarj of the Socialist Party, and also to the paper, eat led “The Appeal to Henson/ ’ relying on it, I presume, as the mouthpecu of the Socialist Party. Now. I wou'd like to say (with your kind permission* Mr Editor) that Air Eoster is not the Secretary of the Socialist Party, and, furthermore, that he lias no connection whatever with the Socialist Party. Also, the-paper that is now being run by Air Eoster, and Air Eoster alone, His not the mouthpiece of Khe. Socialist Party and likewise the fSomalisjg Party ' lias no connection ■wttli the mentioned- paper. I think it o rgkEiir to Air 'Dart-on to give the fafflßrin regard to his connection with the Socialist Party. Some time ago Mr Way, of Auckland, gave an address in Gisborne on Socialism, at "the conclusion of which it was proposed to form a branch of the Socialist Party in Gisborne. Subsequently the then secretary (Mr Foster) was instructed to write to the bead of the Socialist Party in New

Zealand for their platform, with a view to affiliation. "When, on nrrithe different e’a users of the platform were read, we considered it was too % drastic for our acceptance, and I, amoiie others, refused' to sign it. and to this dav the Gisborne Socialist

Partv remains unatfiliated with any

j other body in New 'Zealand. This I Arid jjroA'e to anyone ivho doubts it by showing them the minute book jn Mr Fester’s own iundwriting. Now for 3tr Darton. At the close of the meeting referred to above it was decided that the contribution be one shilling per month. A number paid in a 'mouth's . subscription, but Mr Darton gave, a donation of £l. Mr Darton, of course, with the rest, refused to sign the platform, and lias not attended one meeting of the„ Party since its inception, and I hereby challenge Mr Foster or anyone else to prove otherwise. It appears to me, Mr Editor, that this Socialist “bogey” is. being brought forward to damage Mr Darton’s candidature. This Socialist Party k held up as a “Gun and Dagger” sort of institution. If that is so I imvitf

anyone who is possessed of tbit belief, to eoine along and listen to one of our discussions, and I think he will go away fully convinced of hi? fallacy, as there is .nothing to prevent anyone taking port in and enjoying the discussions. I might sav that_ ir spite of a denial by someone signing himself ‘'Socialist” "(I think it was) ir the evening’s paper, Mr Foster as •still being referred to as the Secre tary of the Socialist Party. In con elusion I would ask you to pu bills} this in your usual spirit of fair play .—I am, etc..

C i CATTON, Present Secretary Socialist Party