CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3505, 23 April 1912, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

M UNICIPAL ELECTIONS. .(TO TIIE^EDITOII.) Sir, —In this morning’s issue of the Gisborne Times there appeared a letter over the nom-clo-plume of “A True Friend of the Workers,” dealing on the municipal election. It is with reluctance I crave a small space in your indispensable paper to ventilate my feelings on the subject in question, i.e., the Labor Party’s candidate and its platform. 1 hope “A True Friend of the Worker” is only giving vent to his own personal feelings, for 1 take it it is only a question of personal opinion, and as opinions differ therefore the need of controversy. Although not a member of the Labor Party 1. am nevertheless affiliated with it to a degree, inasmuch as mine is a struggle for existence and a case of the survival of the fittest.. I agree with the Labor Party putting forth a candidate for the forthcoming election for the reason that I consider direct representation of the masses essential, not _as the abovementioned correspondent surmises for stirring up class reeling, but for the protection of the interests of the masses as well as for the betterment and amelioration of the many. I don’t ' contend that the Labor representatives are any better fitted to administer the interest of the community than other members, but 1 consider that to know a person, or persons,—you must live among them, therefore I contend that it is essential to have direct representation of the workers, inasmuch as on coming from their midst- under stands their temperament a lid wants better than one who views them from' a distance. In regards to all members being representatives of the people; that is the object for which they stand. In theory and sentiment it looks very well (so does an old house under new paint), but in practice it does not, 1 am sorry to say, work satisfactorily. As an instance. —One prominent man standing for Council honors atone election remarked . that, ‘‘There is absolutely nothing in common between the working man and me.” This, you say, is a representative of the people! Yes, of -a few! Again on local bodies there is worse than class feeling—party politics, which are a curse and a hindrance to the good administration of our Borough interests. Not only are they noticeable in our Borough Council, but. they are painfully noticeable in our Parliament to-day. To say the least they are not very edifying, and as for* the “honor and glory” which a “True Friend of the Workers” speaks of, I consider a man who pertains to those oositions is a man for, so far as honor and glory are concerned, I fail to see tv here it is obtainable at either table when party-politics reign. Whether a man be a representative of the-Labor Party or any other party his endeavors should be for the betterment of our surroundings rather than for the bringing of himself into prominence by his blatant talk. Mr Turner," as a citizen, is a young and energetic man who deserves a fair share of support in his candidature, for our Council is sadly in need of new blood, and in opposing as he -does Mr Hepburn, an old and tried servant, his coming forward is all the more meritorious. Whoever is returned after the poll let ns hope their objectors is for the amelioration of the public in general and not for the so-called honor and glory. In calling a spade a spade “A True Friend of the "Worker” should have had the courage of his convictions to append his name and let us see on which edge the tool is ground.—l am, etc-, JAS. PERRY. Gisborne, April 22.