PARTY LEFT HIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 268, 12 November 1935, Page 11

PARTY LEFT HIM.

CHANGED ITS POLICY.

MR. LAMONT AND DEMOCRATS

"I left the Democrat party because it changed its policy," said Mr. T. La'mont, in his opening address as an Independent candidate to electors of Auckland East in the Parnell Library Hall last night. "The policy of the Democrat party is not what it was when I joined it. Actually, I have not left the Democrat party; they have left me."

Mr. Lamont criticised the Government for extending its life for one year. He advocated the abolition of party government and the adoption of a preferential voting system for the election of members of Parliament.

In criticising the increase in the rate of the exchange. Mr. Lamont said it was to the detriment of the . farmer, rather than a gain to him. Any benefit had been counteracted through the resultant increase in prices.

The candidate advocated the adoption of a vigorous, reproductive unemployment policy. The development of unoccupied land and other useful work should bo commenced immediately When provision had been made for the unemployed in the Dominion immigration should be resumed. Mr. Lamont also favoured a strong defence policy, the introduction of health insurance as in England, and a reduction in the size of the Legislative Council, together with the introduction of the elective principle. He was accorded a vote of thanks.