MR. HOLLAND ATTACKED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 255, 27 October 1928, Page 12

MR. HOLLAND ATTACKED.

SPEAKING HIS MIND. INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE'S CHARGE. POLITICS BETWEEN DRINKS. Pausing occasionally to enjoy a swig from a bottle of beer, Mr. J. W. Hughes, Independent Labour candidate for Auckland West, addressed a rowdy audience outside the Leys Institute last night, when he expounded his policy, which; he said, "came straight from the' bottom of his heart." Stating that he had served hie King and country in the South African War, and the Great War, Mr. Hughes removed his overcoait to reveal a breastful of medals. "I have no party behiifd me," he declared, "and I'll tell you because why." (Laughter.) "You've got the beer party behind you!" came from the back of the crowd. "Sane labour!" said Mr. Hughes. "I'm sane labour!" Ignored by Mr. Holland. The candidate said he had written to the Leader of the Labour party (Mr. H. E. Holland) on May 29, this year, stating that he intended to stand for Parliament, but had not decided upon the seat. He said he intended to stand as a "true independent Labour candidate," his reasons being that under the official Labour constitution he was debarred from standing as an official candidate simply because he had taken no active part in the Labour organisation during the past three years. He had told Mr. Holland that ho thought it unwise and unjust that he should be debarred from standing as an official candidate. There were many good men who would stand in the interests of Labour if they were not in a similar predicament. "However," ran the letter, "in the interests of Labour I think it only • right to put my policy before you. I now submit my manifesto, which I intend to put before the electors. Trusting to hear from you at an early date, acquainting me of the procedure I may follow, etc." Mr. Hughes said he followed this up with two telegrams, but Mr. Holland ignored him.

"I'm here to epeaJc my mind to the world," said Mr. Hughes, "and I say Holland '13 a traitor to the Labour movement!" A Voice: Have you got a spot. Jack? Attack on Labour Leader. "Before placing my manifesto before you I will ask you to trace, Australian history back in connection with the maritime strike in 1890," continued Mr. Hughes. "What was the attitude of this high and mighty saviour of Labour, Mr. Holland? He is now clamouring for the Treasury Benches of this country. Through his, pen he wrote articles of an inflammatory nature. Holland never remained in Australia after that. A Voice: Give us another record? "I will now refer to the New Zealand strike in 1913. What did Holland and his party do? They threatened, througE the L&bour organisations, to prevent the transports leaving this country to help men who were fighting for right and justice." Maternity Bonus Advocated. The candidate said the first thing he advocated was a better land policy, increasing taxation on large estates in order to make them productive. Crown lands should be opened up for homestead selections, thereby absorbing unemployment, the Crown to finance them until productive. A nominal rental only should be charged, for from three to five years. He favoured a maternity bonus of 10/ in respect of each child born, free nursing and medical expenses paid by the State, to encourage young married couples to keep the cradles full, and so build up a strong nation. There should bo a revaluation of lands on a productive basis.

All returned soldiers should have preference on public works, providing they had equal qualifications. This would be fairer than employing Dalmatians and foreigners of every description, as was the case to-day throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand, while our own men were starving. Immigration should cease until there was no unemployment. All workers should be paid for Anzac Day, with no discrimination against men on a daily wage. He said our secondary industries should "be protected from the outside world." He would support a Fair Rent Bill, making for rents on the basis of one day'e wages. Members of the Legislative Council should be elected by the people, or by the House of Representatives. No man should be deported without trial by jury. Mr. Hughes said he would support the second ballot system, which would give direct representation. He promised to support the harbour bridge proposal. Ponsonby would benefit by the bridge.

"And now, fellow workers, in conelusion I earnestly plead with you to send men to Parliament who have your interests at heart, in bringing legislation on the same pedestal of the great and honourable man, Richard Seddon, whose name is nver green in your memory as the working man's friend and the greatest Labour leader the world has ever known. He made this country the working man's paradise. Today it is the working man's hell. (Uproar.)

"Having in your midst soup kitchens, does houses, unemployment, starvation and misery, if the Labour party were true to their traditions they would link up with the Liberal party and drive this Tory Government to oblivion for all time." (Renewed uproar.)