LABOUR CAMPAIGN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1941, Page 10

LABOUR CAMPAIGN

W A ITEM ATA CONTEST

MRS. DREAVER AT MiLFORD

An attentive audience at the Picturedrome, Milford, last night, was addressed by the Labour party candidate for the Waitemata scat, Mrs. M. M. Dreaver. At the opening of proceedings the meeting stood in silence as a mark of respect to the late Captain W. .1. Lyon, M.P., whose death in action rendered a bvelection necessary.

In introducing Airs. Dreaver. the chairman, Mr. C. 11. M. Wills, said it was right and proper that the Laboiu candidate should be a woman Women were taking a greater and greater part in the national councils, and their aid was essential in the solving of many problems.

Mrs. Dreaver said that she was amazed by the variety of interests in the \\ ailemata electorate, containing as it did men of all trades and professions, farmers and industrial workers. "I represent not onlv the people of the district but ali the women of New Zealand," said Mrs. Dreaver, "and the women must work with the men, more particularly in wartime." Mrs. Dreaver went on to deal with tlio need for careful planning of rehabilitation work, stating that provision must be made for the absorption of men, not onlv into farming, but also into secondary industries, which were rapidlv growing in the Dominion, fostered by the Government.

The benefits of the Social Securitv legislation were emphasised bv the candidate, who also expressed the hope that the B.M.A. would do what they had done when the maternity benefits were introduced, and fail into line with the Government in order that the full benefits might be made available.

The need for understanding and sympathy between industrial workers and primary producers, between waterside workers and farmers, was also stressed by Mrs. Dreaver, who touched on the manner in which farmers had benefited through the guaranteed price.

"I am definitely in favour of a hospital for the North Shore." said Mrs. Dreaver. "I have worked for it for many years on the Hospital Board, and believe that the Government is fully behind the efforts in this direction.

As for the harbour bridge," she continued, "I get into more trouble for advocating the bridge so often on local bodies than for any other reason. I believe that it is essential to open up Northland and that it is a work of national importance." Speaking in support of Mrs Dreaver, Mr. C. W. Boswell, M.P." enumerated the achievements of the Labour Government in its six years of office, referring in particular to the raising of the standard of living; the preparation for war anrl war policy of the Government. He also stated that the Government had already made plans for the rehabilitation of 40,000 men after the war some on to the land and others into secondary industry. Mr. Boswell also referred to the need for a harbour bridge, and advanced the possibility of its construction as a useful work of rehabilitation.

The supply of munitions and materials for the war has never been hindered by short hours," declared Mr. Boswell, who described how the Industrial Emergency Committee was equally representative of employers and employees, and stated that on almost every occasion their decisions had been unanimous.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks and confidence in the speakers.