MR FRED POLLEY OPENS HIS CAMPAIGN

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11867, 6 November 1935, Page 2

MR FRED POLLEY OPENS HIS CAMPAIGN

INDEPENDENT SOCIALIST

There was a good attendance at The Civic Theatre last night,, when Mr Fred Polley, the Independent Socialist candidate, opened his campaign and expounded his policy lor nearly two; hours. -Mr J. D. Morison presided The candidate was listened to attentively. On the middle of the stage a lifebuoy was displayed. It was .painted .'in three colours—red, white and :blue—and bore the words, “God, King, Country. Socialism Must Save.”

Mr Pojley, in opening, gave a flat denial to a rumour that he was being financed by one of the political parties. He said that for some years he had been associated with the New Zealand Labour Party but 'had resigned from that organisation and had come to the conclusion that he would not be connected with any political party. He was contesting the seat'as an Independent Socialist candidate and believed that true Socialism was the only visible means of salvation for the masses of the world.- True socialism was not in itself a political doctrine. It was in reality the acceptance of human truth. Its banner was not the red flag. It was a fellowship of kindred minds. , Once human truth was accepted there could be no misgivings and certainly no contradiction in : their attitude towards their human brothers and sisters—no passing by on the other side. Socialism or human truth never Ipses confidence in human beings and'never forgets-the divine origin. It whs a possession, not merely a profession. It was an Impression giving expressed of heart feelings towards: their fellows. New Zealand was about to select a new brew to man*their ship of State. It must be remembered that the crew was more important than the ship and Members of Parliament were their'national guardians. Many schemes were put forward claiming ability to raise national credit. The nation’s wealth' was the aggregate wealth of its individual citizens.' He stood firm and fearless for the maintenance Of their prestige as a Christian country, preaching the gospel of true Socialism and justifying righteous indignation against any policy, of suppression; recognising human truth exposing political hypocrisy, and condemning .Party majority Government as the stumbling block to sound and impartial administration. He recommended the'formation of an entirely National Government, not a Coalition Government.

Mr Policy stated that he pledged himself to the following ten points: 1. The formation of a National Government.

2, Equal educational facilities for all. '

• 3. The retention of all laws protecting the small trader and ' consumer, Including the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910, and the Cost of Living Act, 1915,. 4. The introduction of a Bill, for compulsory Scripture reading lessons (only) in all State schools; 1 r

5. The repealing of the present Unemployment Act. *

G. The introduction of a Bill to provide employment for men and' women, to be financed, with the present unemployment taxes, subject to reductions according to recovery. 7. To oppose any reduction of in-come-tax on incomes over £4OO. ,8. To strenuously oppose any future policy which aims for the „elimination of Socialisin' from our" national life.

9. To request Parlament, In view of the present world'unrest, tc. release the Samoan Man from-the declaration of sedition made over five years ago, as It reflects on the people of New Zealand, not having been sanctioned by the League of Nations in accordance with Mandate Law 10. To advocate the repealing of all unjust laws that obstruct the administration of just laws. Mr Policy, in advocating a 'National Government, contended there had never been a National Govern“eJJl To his mind a Coalition Government was not a National Government as the latter should be representative of all political parties in the House of Representatives. He that half the laws of to-day. were laws of suppression. . v

The candidate elaborated at length several of the ten points of his platform. He condemned the Democrat Party and considered the present was the worst New Zeacountryd h&d 81DCe h ® came to the

Mr policy said unemployment ta.redTha^hl^ 801116 ' bat h/matatSed that the money so raised should tres^ 56 ln the alleviati <>n of disll ess V. Ta er e were many peonle in Dominion who had insufficient food and clothing, and In support of his contention read an appeal for assistance for cases in the coring which had been made by a the Bay of Plenty Timefin JuneTast Reverting to Socialism theLndl date said it would have tn ™ “ about money.' 1?;”^ tf ‘Zealand was in a state' nt semi-bankruptcy .Mthe

Corporation would be the means of bringing in money to the Treasury. The purpose of that Act was to balance the Budget and restore the "cuts.” :

Touching on the Bible in schools question, Mr Polley said young men and women were growing up without a knowledge of the bible. If returned to Parliament he would favour the introduction of a Bill for compulsory Scripture reading lessons in all State schools. He dealt at length with the part which he had taken in connection with the trouble in Samoa. ,

The farmers should be supported, but the Government gave the farmers something with one hand and Look it away with the other. ' • Mr Polley said he would not give up Socialism and would flight for his fellow-men, until he died. He wanted: to see his fellow-men happier, and happiness could be restored by a truly National. Government. He made a plea for the rising generation and urged the electors to put back the right crew to guide the ship ot State," They wanted a Government to-day with a heart for the people. It was, the duty of the Government to protect the people as well as to. govern them. . He did not belong to any organisation and was a free and Independent Socialist. He had paid his nomination .deposit out of his hard earnings and maintained he was a right and proper person to represent the district in Parliament. Many of those in Parliament had not the courage of a fair-sized rabbbit. He was right out to win the seat and would not help to get anyone into Parliament or keep anyone out. ‘ He then resumed his- seat amidst applause. . Three questions In regard to Bible in Schools were asked and replied to by the candidate, to the effect that he favoured Scripture reading lessons in State schools. Mr J. Alach moved—That a vote of thanks be accorded Mr Polley for his address.—Mr R. P. Ward seconded.

The vote was carrled'.by acclamation J and suitably acknowledged by Mr Policy, the meeting closing with the usual compliment to the Chairman.- ■

»IB C. H. BURNETT AT PONGAKAWA AND RANGIURU‘

Mr Burnett, . the official Labour candidate, i for.- Tauranga, addressed meetings at Fongakawa and Rangiuru on Monday and Tuesday night. Mr Burnett dealt with the question of Press publicity. “I desire,”, said the speaker “to thankthe press m the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty Electorates, .for the publicity and Consideration accorded me at all my meetings,' "and I am grateful for It. The criticism of the Party refers i I understand to the Press in the large centres; and in particular to the Government advertisements, which in my opinion are. as. ungenerous as they are unfair in many 'instances, I. do not blame the Press for this, as pnbllsh -these advertisements in the* ordinary course of business." Mr Burnett dealt with Labour's policy‘for ’reconstruction’ along the lines of his addresses throughout the eiGctonit6*

- hearty vote of thanks' was accorded , the speaker. ’ ■ o■' -' : •