‘What would happen if you did?’

’D’you know what’s happening across the Border?  Men get blown up there—­with dynamite.’

‘But this isn’t across the Border?’

’It’s a damn-sight too near to be pleasant.  And witnesses get blown up, too.  You see, the Labour situation ain’t run from our side the line.  It’s worked from down under.  You may have noticed men were rather careful when they talked about it?’

‘Yes, I noticed all that.’

’Well, it ain’t a pleasant state of affairs.  I don’t say that the Unions here would do anything to you—­and please understand I’m all for the rights of Labour myself.  Labour has no better friend than me—­I’ve been a working man, though I’ve got a business of my own now.  Don’t run away with any idea that I’m against Labour—­will you?’

’Not in the least.  I can see that.  You merely find that Labour’s a little bit—­er—­inconsiderate, sometimes?’

’Look what happens across the Border!  I suppose they’ve told you that little fuss with the Japanese in Vancouver was worked from down under, haven’t they?  I don’t think our own people ’ud have done it by themselves.’

’I’ve heard that several times.  Is it quite sporting, do you think, to lay the blame on another country?’

’You don’t live here.  But as I was saying—­if we get rid of the Japs to-day, we’ll be told to get rid of some one else to-morrow.  There’s no limit, sir, to what Labour wants.  None!’

‘I thought they only want a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work?’

’That may do in the Old Country, but here they mean to boss the country.  They do.’

‘And how does the country like it?’

’We’re about sick of it.  It don’t matter much in flush times—­employers’ll do most anything sooner than stop work—­but when we come to a pinch, you’ll hear something.  We’re a rich land—­in spite of everything they make out—­but we’re held up at every turn by Labour.  Why, there’s businesses on businesses which friends of mine—­in a small way like myself—­want to start.  Businesses in every direction—­if they was only allowed to start in.  But they ain’t.’

‘That’s a pity.  Now, what do you think about the Japanese question?’

’I don’t think.  I know.  Both political parties are playing up to the Labour vote—­if you understand what that means.’

I tried to understand.

’And neither side’ll tell the truth—­that if the Asiatic goes, this side of the Continent’ll drop out of sight, unless we get free white immigration.  And any party that proposed white immigration on a large scale ’ud be snowed under next election.  I’m telling you what politicians think.  Myself, I believe if a man stood up to Labour—­not that I’ve any feeling against Labour—­and just talked sense, a lot of people would follow him—­quietly, of course.  I believe he could even get white immigration after a while.  He’d lose the first election, of course, but in the long run....  We’re about sick of Labour.  I wanted you to know the truth.’