LABOUR'S CAUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 207, 2 September 1936, Page 11

LABOUR'S CAUSE.

MANUKAU ELECTION.

MR. A. OSBORNE'S CAMPAIGN. SIGNIFICANCE OF REStnLT. An appeal to the electors of Manukau to return the Labour candidate with an even greater majority than the overwhelming one with which Mr. W. J. Jordan was returned last November, thus manifesting confidence in the Government, was made at the opening of Mr. A. G. Osborne's campaign la»t night in the Forester's Hall. Onehunga. There were about 300 people present and they were assured by Mr. John Morgan, a member of the advisory committee of the Labour party in Great Britain, who arrived from London this week, that the result of the election would be watched with great interest overseas as evidencing the community's faith iu the Government. The candidate was supported on the platform by the Rev. Clyde Carr, MJ?. for Timaru, president of Xew Zealand Labour party, and also by the national secretary of the party, Mr. R. Wilson. Mr. J. Fark, Mayor of One-! hunga, presided.

in referring to Mr. Osborna's selection as the candidate, Mr. Carr said that there had not been a vestige of the disagreements that sometimes occurred between the national executive and the local committee. The unanimous selection of Mr. Osborne by the executive had been endorsed by the local organisation. Mr. Carr said that Mr. Osborne had made a magnificent fight for the Parnell seat last election, and he uas the man for this job. In using every possible endeavour to have him elected Labour supporters must remember that, they were working for a principle, and a Government which was carrying out that principle. 'T am going to ask you to do the seemingly impossible thing. Give Arthur Osborne an even greater majority than Bill Jordan," he added.

Dealing with the present Govern-1 ment's achievements since it took office; nine months ago, the speaker said thatj of 12 points in the platform of Mr.] Savage eight had been fulfilled already.* Labour carried out its promises. About the first thing it had done was to establish a national credit authority by taking over the Reserve Baank. A Voice: Is there any chance of hearing Osborne? Mr. Carr: Ladies and gentlemen, I was asked to come from Wellington to inaugurate this campaign. I assure you that you will hear Mr. Osborne to-night and on subsequent nights to good and growing effect. (Aprlause.) When I came my boss said I had to speak for an hour, and I have to earn my money. (Laughter.) Gradual Transition. Mr. Carr went on to deal with the Government's financial policy. The currency system was now in the hands of the Government, and it would be utilised to the full advantage in carrying out public works, housing and such things. Gradually the system of private interest would be replaced by something very different, but the transition had to be "gradual. "We said we would begin where Seddon left off, and that is praising Seddon," added the speaker. "Workers are being restored into trade and industry, and opportunities are being provided for youth. Things are looking up." In conclusion Mr. Carr | exhorted the electors to vote Osborne, i to vote for themselves, their children j and their country. (Cheers). Mr. Osborne was applauded when he j rose to speak. He emphasised that so j far as he was concerned the campaign | would be free from any personalities. There might be occasions for hard hit- j ting, but he would always be attacking; a principle, and the administration of j the previous Government. He did not' know who the opposition would be,| whether the National party or the | Democrat party would be putting lip a 1 candidate, but he made the appeal to those who desired to see the Labour party make good to give every candidate an impartial hearing. The legislation which had been introduced by the Government had been carefully analysed first, and it was on strong foundations. That was statesmanship. A few said that Labour was not going fast enough, and others criticised it as having fallen down on its job. There were 12 points in its programme, and a period of three years was allotted to carry .it out. To those who say that we are not going fast enough I say that I believe that the present Government has done more in the last nine months than a succession of Governments has done in the past 20 years." - - Mr. Osborne said that he was fully conscious of his responsibility in following Mr. Jordan, who had achieved so much for the electorate and the country. Before sailing, Mr. Jordan had expressed the hope that his successor would be returned by a larger majority than he had received. "I appeal to the electors of Manukau not to let Mr. Jordan down."

Greetings from Britain. After MrT Osborne had answered a number of questions, Mr. Morgan, who had been sitting in the audience, went on to the platform and announced that he brought fraternal greetings from the British Labour party. He stated that he 1 was the agricultural editor of the London "Daily Herald," the Labour paper, which had a circulation of tw r o and a half millions, the largest in the world. He had come over to New Zealand to study the Government's progress. "You in New Zealand have a chance to demonstrate to the w r orld the ability! of Labour to manage affairs in a very satisfactory and competent way," he | said. "We in Britain envy your chance. We have had two Governments, but both were in a minority, and had perforce to be toadies to the capitalist class. We are waiting the opportunity to have a | majority Government." j Mr. Morgan added that the climb to i power of- the New Zealand Labour Gov-j ernment had been observed overseas, and it was certain that the issue in ' this by-election would be taken by all! circles in Great Britain as an index of ] the people's confidence in the Government, and would have a bearing on the . politics of Great Britain. He appealed to the Labour supporters to double their efforts. There must not be any falling away. Otherwise Labour's forces in other parts of the world would be disappointed. There must not be the slightest satisfaction of any kind to the interests which Labour had been fighting for years to overcome. New Zealand had the cause bf Labour throughout the world to serve, and he hoped that the supporters would realise it at the present time. A vote of thanks, together with an expression of confidence in the candidate and the Government, waß carried, 1