Labour Meeting.

Bruce Herald, Volume LV, Issue 63, 18 August 1919, Page 5

Labour Meeting.

A public meeting of in<Tuetri:vl and political iirtpaviiiiooo wa.i I'cld iu tho . Masonia H'l' on WwltiescUy evening last. Mi* J. P. Ly.mh presided, aud in introducing tho - Mr A. Cook (President of the N.Z. Workars' Union), nnd Mr A. A. Walker, M.P, Dunedin North— said that the object of tho meetwas largely, to promote the interests of the Workers' Union a>id to establish a branch of tho N.Z. Labour Party in tho district.

Mr Cook spoke of tho rapid growth of tho organisation he representor), both from' the numerical and the financial point of view, and emphasised the improved .conditions and increased wages thai hud followed its offortfi. As one who had travelled a good deal in the North Island, ho gave several striking instancos of the deplorable accc-rauio* dat ; oi that was provided for country workers in many districts. Referring to future work he said ho expected that before nest session an award would be ob'aiued for threshing-mill workers, and for musfcerers and shepherds. Mr Walker dealt with the platform of tho Labour Party, explaining many of its planka, which he stated were mainly in strict conformity with its past policy. Ho represented the chances of Labour at tho'coming General Election as highly promising, and was pleased to seo the increasing interest in the movement in country districts. It was resolved to establish a branch of tho N.Z, Labour Party in Milton, and a provisional committee, with Mr D. Taylor as chairman, and Mr J. P. Lynch as secretary, was appointed, LABOR'S LAND POLICY. .1. The conservation of natioual endowment. 2 Tho'recognition of interests of tho whole community in tha land by (a). A land fcenuro based on occupancy and use, which shall rccum to the working farmer tho full fruits of his labour and exertions, (b) The securing to tho community of -all valuod,crcatod by tho community, (c) Tho elimination of exploitation work'ng fanner by tho institution of a Stato bank, (2) ef the community by securing for it tho rent of the land, now absorbed principally by tho money lends ing institutions, (d) The tenants' absolute right to impvovpiucnts. (e) Improved road access iu rural districts by the increased graduated tax on large estates. 8. (a) valuation of all private-ly-owned land, such valuation to romain on record as the measure of present land-holders' interest in land. |b) Lind shall not bo acid or transferred except to or from the State, (c) Tha owner ehall have tho right to eu- render his land on tho valuation sot out in subclause (a).

4. : (a) Tho immediate discontinuance of lln pi-eseafc v/askM method of destroying valuable limbes and placing Bcttiers on unvoaded land, (b) All virgin land to bo prepared for cecupa'.ion by the tflelo before eottlemont, (o) The State to undertake all developmental work, and. whore advisable, land bo developed shall form the nuo'eua of State farms.