5 APRIL 1957, Page 17

KE1R HARDIE

SIR,—Mr. Robert Blake in his article on Keir Hardie in your issue of March 22 states that :

'Keir Hardie believed passionately in the class war, and he felt a real personal loathing for the rich and privileged of every description.'

These remarks are not in accord with the facts. Hardie had many friends among the 'rich and privileged,' and on several occasions attacked the 'class-war' theory in open controversy with other Socialists.

Mr. Blake would do well to read a little of the history of the Labour movement before making sweeping criticisms of its leaders.—Yours faithfully,

HENRY PELLINO