OPPONENT FOR MR HAMILTON

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24051, 13 September 1943, Page 4

OPPONENT FOR MR HAMILTON

* ATTITUDE OF LABOUR PARTY

MR HOLLAND’S COMMENT

“ The Press '* Special Service. NELSON, September 11. Comment on the attitude of the 1 Labour Party in opposing the Hon. A. Hamilton (Minister of War Expenditure) for Wallace, while not contesting the seat held by Mr H. Atmore (Independent) for Nelson, was made by the leader of the National Party (Mr S. G. Holland), when he addressed an overflow audience at the Theatre Royal here to-night. “It seems unusual that Mr Atmore, who has given generous support to Labour’s domestic policy, is not being opposed at this General Election but Mr Hamilton is being opposed by an official Labour candidate,” said Mr Holland. “Mr Hamilton, at very great cost to himself, has helped the Government in the war effort 'o the exclusion of all other issues, but now the Government’s aim is to get him out of the War Cabinet and out of Parliament altogether. The Government’s action seems odd to me.” (Applause.) The National Party’s attitude towards fruitgrowers was clarified by Mr Holland. He said he was assured that the price being received by fruitgrowers did not cover the costs of production. He believed that the Internal Marketing Department could be eliminated without increasing the price to the consumer, yet giving the costs of production to the producers. “We are not going to push the minimum price proposal down the necks of the producers if 'they do not want it,” said Mr Holland. With the whole co-operation of the State, the producer was entitled to no less than his costs. The National Party would give the growers full co-operation, because fruitgrowing was essentia] and producers should be encouraged. Any help to the growers would be readily offered, but he wanted to say straight away that the National Party wanted private enterprise to stand on its feet, as far as possible, for over the years the great co-operative movement of producers had proved itself. If elected, the National Party would undertake to find a profitable outlet for the increased war production of fruit, and would not push down the price to the producers when the war ended. The theatre was crowded half an hour before the time of the meeting, and it was estimated that 800 heard the address, inside and outside. The Mayor (Mr E. R. Neale) presided. Mr Holland was given an enthusiastic reaeption and was frequently applauded. Two or three interjectors were present, and they opposed the motion of thanks.