THE FLAG AND LOYALTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 259, 2 November 1925, Page 8

THE FLAG AND LOYALTY.

THE LAND QUESTION AND REFORM. OAKLEY BROWNE AT MASONIC | HALL. Mr. Oakley Browne, the Liberal candidate for Auckland East, delivered an! address in the Masonic Hall, Eden Ter-; race, on Saturday night. The hall was I crowded and the candidate received a ' splendid hearing. Lahour was well represented and heckling was quickly stopped by the vigorous replies of the candidate, whose arguments routed the opposition. Mr. P. McElwain presided. Dealing with Reform's coloured poster which lias been distributed throughout - the district, Mr. Browne said one would j be led to believe that there was another i war on. Mr. Coates nnd the Reform party wrapped the flag around them- ■ selves in a makebelief that they were the only people who were loyal to the country. It was another instance of their insincerity and humbug. (Applause.) Waving flags nnd talking did not make people loyal. Loyalty was in the heart of the people and the most sincere were those who said nothing, but acted their proper part in the world. It must not be forgotten that the working classes sent the most men to the war, while it was the very class that Reform stood for that, in many instances, remained behind and made huge fortunes out of the nation's necessity, and now turned round and called the mon who had fought for them disloyal. It was a shame and a scandal, and he was of opinion that the people as a whole would resent the flag being dragged in to boost a political party that had always stood for wealth and property and the conservation of vested interests. (Applause.) Instead of honouring the flag, the Reform party were dishonouring it by their tactics. (Applause.) I

Dealing with the land question, Mr. : Browne said the Prime Minister had made the statement a few days ago that people would not go upon the land, j Of course they would not at present' prices. It was the Reform Government who were responsible for the high price of land. The moment the Government came into the market as a purchaser for soldier settlements, up went the price. No prudence was shown. Spot cash was given for the land. Bonds should have been issued and reasonable care taken to see that prices were not enhanced. (Applause.) A strong Government with a land policy was needed and the only party who could offer the right solution was the Liberals, whose policy was to prevent aggregation and to so tax the land that it would not pay the people to hang on for speculative pur-. poses. (Applause.) The great bulk of the people in Now Zealand) 6aid the candidate, were liberal at heart. For thirteen years the Reform party had been on the Treasury benches. They had never had a mandate from the people, but had gained office and lie Id office by intrigue and misrepresentation, and during those years only the wealthy classes had been considered. The people were heartily sick of Reform, and they would not trust the Labour party because of it 3 extravagant and visionary policy. (Applause.) It needed the genius of Liberalism as it did in Mr. Seddon's day to bring the country back to peace, pros- , pcrity and contentment. (Applause.) :