THE "USEHOLD" POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 244, 15 October 1925, Page 11

THE "USEHOLD" POLICY.

OH JAS. PARR'S CRITICISM. JTO MORE STATE ADVANCES. Sir James Parr addressed a large eating of his Waitakere electors on Tuesday at the Waitakere public school, ij H. King, J-P-i b p ing in the chair. jbe candidate gave an account of thtt improvements had been accomplished for the district during his tenure The Minister then dealt briefly with the -usehold" land policy. He said that the Labour candidates in Auckland were all speaking with different voices on the subject. The truth T as that the people "ere now brought (jrt to face with the prospect of land mtionalißation, which was the principal plank in the Labour party's proline, and naturally both the farmers ! D d cottasers «ere dead against the 'toehold" proposal*. At Henderson his opponent had said that the usehold policy was to apply only to large farms and to "all land which is subject to jdvances from the State." whereas Mr. Savage, M.P., had declared that the new w)IiCV would affect all future State adnC es. which was correct. If Mr. Jlason's interpretation were correct, then everyone of the M.OOO workers and soldiers who had got Government loans for houses would be affected. If, on the other hand. Mr. Savage's interpretation were correct, then none of the 276 applicants in Eden for Government loans which were not yet granted, would ever get their advances on the present terms. In plain language, it was bad enough either way. One thing was quite clear, lamely, "that no more advances to workers on their frephold sections would be .granted by Mr. Savage, M.P., or Mr. Mason, if they had their way. Even with their latest interpretation of their land programme it meant that no worker could get a Government loan on tie old terms. That would be abolished. In the future, according to Mr. Savage and Mr. Mason, any worker desiring a Government loan would not be allowed to sell his land except to the State and then only at a valuation made by a Government valuer subject to an appeal to an Assessment Court. Further, if iiere were to be no future advances to workers on their freeholds on the old terms at 4$ per cent then, as Mr. Savage's interpretation seemed to indicate, there would be no need for the Advances to Settlers office at all, because this Department would not be able, according to the Labour policy, to lend any more money on the freehold security of the worker. What did all this mean? "It Kerns to mc," said Sir James, "that for the future after the farmers have been dealt with the Labour Government would reduce all applicants for houses to this position, that the Government would build the house and that the applicant must live in it as a tenant at a weekly rent. "Finally," said Sir James, "I observe that the original policy is being Watered , down during the election. The main feature remained as objectionable as ever. Indeed, the Labour candidates admitted that they would make a beginning at once with the farms and with persons desiring workers' homes. But, having made a beginning, they would proceed to attack holding of the small freeholders all over New Zealand. Jhe candidate received a vote of thanks and confidence. MISS MEI/VTIXE AND THE CUSTOMS. COMPLAINT AGAINST LABOUR. One of the main points on which Mies Melville, Reform candidate for Grey Lynn, crossed swords with the Labour party last night was what she referred to as their "half-truth" statement that the Customs duties had been enormously increased, and that it taxed the poor. That was right on the surface, she said, but what caused the increase? In the first place, there had been a heavy reduction on many essentials amounting to over £500,000, including £145,000 on electrical machinery and equipment and industrial machinery, and £130,000. on tea; The increases had been on luxuries euch as tobacco, spirits, motor vehicles and motor tyres, the laßt-mentioned going to a special highways fund. Those increases totalled approximately f1,000,000, while the other increases were due to the natural course of increases of imports. *HE INVERCARGIIX CONTEST. DENIAL OF A RUMOUR. .. .(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, this day. A'rumour gained currency during the last lew days that Mr. P. Hickey, labour candidate for Invercargill, was to be asked by the local Labour Reprelentation Committee to withdraw from tie contest. The rumour is now Officially denied. LABOUR CANDIDATE RETIRES. (By TeJegraph.—Press Association.) ASHBURTON, this day. Owing to the indifferent health of his *rfc Mr. J. N. Harle, Labour candidate for Ashburton, hae decided to retire for tte contest. KAIPARA SEAT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DARGAVILLE, Wednesday. llr. TV. E. Barnard, official Labour candidate for Kaipara, received a splendid hearing at Naumai and Arapohue this week. At the conclusion a hearty *ote of thanks was passed for the interesting address. The Prime Minister will address the electors here on Saturday night. Great Preparations are being" made to give ™n a rousing reception on arrival, this «ing the first visit since being appointed Minister. On Sunday afternoon he unveils the Te Kopuru War at the Northern Wairoa Hospital