LYTTELTON SEAT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24043, 3 September 1943, Page 6

LYTTELTON SEAT

LABOUR CANDIDATE MR M’COMBS OPENS CAMPAIGN The Labour candidate for Lyttelton, Mr T. H. McCombs, M.P.. opened .his campaign at Lyttelton last evening, when he'addressed a meeting of about 60 persons in the Excelsior Hall In introducing the speaker the Mayor of Lyttelton fMr F E Sutton) apologised because the attendance was not larger, and said that many electors were work ! ng overtime on the waterfront Referring to his opoonent’s claim that he had been unable to form a committee in Lyttelton and that he had been denied the right of free speech in that town. Mr McCombs reminded his audience that Mr Taylor had received an uninterrupted hearing from a fair audience. Previous National candidates had been able to form committees It was an unfair attack on a community willing to listen to both sides of the case The Government had brought forward a programme for the future which would appeal to the people of New Zealand, said Mr McCombs Its general policy, modified by necessity by war. had placed New Zealand m the forefront of the world in social conditions. In the meantime the Labour Government had set itself to carry out a policy of total war. Only the best effort the country could put forward was good enough. The record of the effort, of all sections of the people under the guidance of the Government was unsurpassed Production on the farm, in the factory and all other directions, had risen in spite of the demands of the armed forces of the Dominion for men and women. New Zealand could well be proud of her effort It was praised by all who had occasion to come to these shores and most complimentary references had been made in the other countries. Our exports of farm produce to England and armies in other parts of the world had increased both in ouantitv and in varietv New Zealand Boots for Russians It might be news to many pers9ns that Russian soldiers were wearing New 'Zealand boots, Indian soldiers were wearing clothing made in this country and soldiers of these forces used New Zealand Bren carriers, with New Zealand made machine-guns and grenades But one of the most surprising developments was in the shipbuilding industry. All types of small craft had been built in New Zealand, literally in hundreds. More than £2,000,000 worth of shipping was being built here this year In addition we were feeding our own and many thousands of United States soldiers in the Pacific area The rehabilitation schemes ot the Government had provided for a total of more than 24.000 men and women discharged from the forces. Apart from those still undergoing treatment or on leave, all but 187 who were awaiting placement, had been found employment or had returned to their former work The proposals, many of which were already in effect, provided for the training of men to new occupations where necessary. A discharged soldier was permitted to have his own home or farm and advances of 100 per cent, wer’? available where necessary for this purpose. If he preferred to rent a home or lease a farm that too, was available. Rehabilitation had to be accompanied by reconstruction of the country to fit the demands of peace. Industries created for war had to be diverted to peace needs. Housing for the people, both freehold and leasehold, had to be provided The claim that the Labour Government provided only for rental houses was a deliberate misrepresentation. Under Labour the State Advances Corporation was before the war began, providing the money for more freehold homes than had been done in any similar period under previous governments. Advances up to 100 per cent had been granted In thousands of cases. A vote of thanks to the candidate and of confidence in the candidate and IB the Labour Government, moved by Mr A. E. Sanders, was carried.