THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3641, 30 September 1912, Page 3

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Cto the editor.)

Sir,' —The deciding issue is now non-ost —practically ancient' history. Only to bo revived at the next assemblage of the municipal councillors. In the face of Councillor Collins’ statements cn the deciding night of the poll there remains little else for the present Councillors but to resign office sis on principal alone. They can hardly endure such a slap on the face as Cr. Collins’ overwhelming victory has given thoin. At this juncture I do not propose to debate the pros and cons of what most eventuate through the results of the poll. What I wish to deal upon is the results of the labor attitude towards the candidates who upheld their end at a juncture where labor representation was most required. Assuming that Cr. Collins was fully justified in the drastic step lie undertook I fail to see what better position wo are in to-day than previous to his resigning. Certainly the Engineer may lose his appointment, but what of that ? Whoever follows in his wake will undertake a.very unenviable appointment at least for some considerable time to com©. That discord must reign supreme in the Council Chambers for a period at least is beyond question. The whole hue and cry in labor ranks to-day is the want of representation on local find Parliamentary bodies. Yet ivliat do we see to-day? Nothing but chaos and dissent. Either the workers must be educated along defined lines as to their ultimate object or left to their own salvation, but Cod grant it be not too late before they see the folly of their ways. At the election just gone by what do we witness ? Here is a man (aiicl Dr. Collins said a plucky man) crucified as it were on the cross, but instead of Calvary on labor’s cross. Is it not a monument to the dilatoriness of labor and those who clamor in its ranks and by turning down Mr Anderson, the man who represented their cause, labor has taken upon itself the Judas of old? You turned out the so-called Liberal Government to gratify your whim. You replaced thereby a Conservative, or so-called Reform Party, and what have you derived ? For answer look to Waihi. What bett'er lesson was ever learned tbarj. what has jtist been witnessed at Waihi ? I refer to tile gaoling of the strike leaders by a plutocratic party to assist in the breaking of the strike. Is it not necessary that we who hold the majority of voices should he equally represented, that wo may have a deciding voice in the destinies of our country ? What does labor answer ? I wonder what ? Surely out of a comihunity of close upon I suppose 2000 workers we can derive enough common sense to bo alive to our requirements? And our requirements are that to must have direct representation. but which we will never get so long as we treat our candidates as Mr Anderson was undoubtedly treated at the recent poll. lam sorry that such an able man as Mr Anderson undoubtedly is should be so treated, and if ever labor has proved___traitor to. its cause it lias done so on this occasion. Certainly the stumbling block at present is’the want of organisation in labor circles, and I may say this is a thing totally impossible while such petty jealousy exists amongst the masses. Laborers, I «?y, come to.rei her. Sink your petty feeling the ca.tvn of rs-a wakening. msk© your cause the coroipcri w. T.se cf nil- TTcvid by your candidates, fhoso times <f te odblc and tnnn&a. fi-:d eventdyJi / y-;n must prove r r tyonurrenb to t'.--p.-riy and the l&pd ye* r^prcoonk, in conclusion I rrsei l£v Anacreon will cTeutually overlook it-? chagrin he must have felt r.'j insets r,ad attitude. and again con.e iorth at the general election with a smiling countenance and needless to say as a representative of the party we represent. There was an -old proverb I was taught at school. If at first you don’t succeed, try again; hut I trust in the interim Labor will be a little more organised and alive to its responsibilities. Good luck, friend Anderson, may the future bring you ail success. —1 am etc., JAS. PERRY. Gisborne, Sept. 27.