AUCKLAND CENTRAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 260, 3 November 1925, Page 8

AUCKLAND CENTRAL.

THE GOVERNMENT SEDATIVE. "RAIDS UPON WAGES." "The Government," said Mr. W. E. Parry, M.P., last night, "which is now endeavouring to woo the workers into a slumber, forgets that it has to answer for the £16,000,000 reduction in their wages in four years, and annual presents to the wealthy to the extent of over £10,000,000 ( in the same period, and for its opposition to the Labour party's amendment of the Workers' Compensation Act, which provides for the workers when incapacitated and full medical benefits without increasing the premiums to the emploj'ers. "Wβ propose to do this by making accident insurance a State monopoly, thereby eliminating the huge commissions, expenses and profits which now go to wealthy shareholders. Our principle is that the premiums paid by the employers shall go to the victims of accident in place of going to shareholders of the insurance companies. What was the reason for the Government keeping its "universal pension schem ■>" in the background? It was obvious. The Government stated and re-stated that it was in favour of a contributing pension scheme, which meant that the old age, widows and other pensioners would be called upon to contribute towards their pensions. All those who wished to see the present pension system of the country protected against contribu ions from the pensioners- themselves must fight the proposals advocated in Parliament by the present Government. "We have successfully drawn the attention of the people to the proposed raid that is about to be made on the womers' wages of 7/6 per week to pay for the family of over two in number," said Mr. Parry. "We now asl. that the workers vote Labour, and stop this continual raid upon their wages and general conditions of life." THE COUNTRY PARTY.

MR. ROSS AT CLEVEDOX. Mr. A. A. Ross,. Country Party candidate for Thames, had a good meeting in the Otau Hall on Thursday afternoon, Mr. D. M. Bryan was chairman. A vote of thanks was passed, the mover, Mr. J. Mason, stating that the place for confidence was at the polling booth. In the evening Mr. Ross spoke to a large and very enthusiastic meeting in the Clevedon Hall, Mr. John Luke being chairman. Mr. Ross, -who was received with prolonged applause, spoke on the lines of his previous addresses. In answer to a question, "Whether there

MR. A. A. ROSS,

was any truth in the statement - made by Mr. T. W. Ehodes and his chairman, Mr. C. H. Mellsop, at the former Clevedon meeting, that any votes given to the Country party would be votes east for Labour, because, although Mr. Ross had not said so, the other Country party candidates had stated they would vote with the Labour party against Reform on a no-confidence motion, and the policy of one must 'be the policy of all," Mr. Ross stated that, although Mr. Duxfield was reported to have made, that statement, the report was contradicted the next day. There was no justification for Mr. Rhodes' statement, the policy of the Country party being one of absolute independence of all other political parties. Their vote would be given according to the circumstances prevailing at the time, and they could be trusted as common-sense men to support constitutional government. The following resolution was moved by Mr. L. Branson, and seconded by Mr. D. Renton: "That this meeting of Thames electors extends to Mr. Ross a hearty vote of thanks for his address and confidence in him as being a fit and proper person to represent the constituency in.Parliament." The resolution was carried without a dissentient voice and with applause. Meetings were also held at Maraetai Road and Xess Valley, at each of which Mr. Ross had good meetings and received votes of thanks and confidence on each occasion. At Orere the meeting was held in the evening at Cashmore'.s mill. There were 32 present and the candidate made a very good impression.

THE REFORM INTERESTS.

MR. OLDFIELD'S LIVELY RECEPTION The West End Picture TVieatrp was packed to the doors last night and was the scene of much liveliness, when }!r. S. Oldfield, Reform candidate for Auckland West, addressed the electors. Them was a large section of Labour supporters, and the candidate was subjected to a great deal of bantering and interjection, although he was on the whole accorded a good reception. After several references to "we" a plaintive voice cried out: "Whose we, Sammy?" Amid laughter the candidate said he meant the Government, and that he would be one of them after the 4th (Prolonged applause and ironical ehwrsi. The candidate wae vigorously crifiri«ing the Labour party's platform, iiiifl an interjector broke up tbo house l\v announcing: "Your platform has got the worm in it." The Candidate: "The planks cf Oin Labour party's platform are rotten ;i""i full of Bolshevik borers.' , (Applaui-e :-nd jeers). The candidate was going on i>. sny that Socialism was not in the best imprests of the country, when he was interrupted by a medley of yells, roi'.rs and cheers. The chairman (Mr. C. F. Bennett, rose and cried for order and was greeted with yells of All right Charlie, do sic down." The uproar became so ba;i that the police had to take a hand and request certain men to keep quiet. Several questions were answered by the candidate. At the close of tlio meeting cheers were given for hii.i. Imt the cheers for the Labour party won un the volume of sound.