WELLINGTON EAST

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 138, 9 December 1919, Page 3

WELLINGTON EAST

MR. A. L. MONTEITH AT

HATAITAI

Mr. A. L. Monteith, Labour candidate for AVellington East, addressed a. meeting of electors' at the Hataitai School last evening. Mi". H. Dyson presided over a small attendance.

The candidate opened with a criticism of the remarks of political opponents, taking the Prime Minister to task for a statement in Christchurch that the coalmines of New Zealand had never paid, and quoting statistics in the Official Year Book to show that ■ the profits of the mines were substantial, that large sums had been set aside for reserves and depreciation, and that the mines were quite in a good position. The profits of the State mine had also been considerable, and had risen from 1917 to 1918 by some £5000 or £6000.' Mr. Monteith then dealt with a statement by Mr. Wilford that the cost of living was higher in Queensland than anywhere else in the Commonwealth. On the contrary, if rent were included, and rent averaged between 25 and 30 per cent, of the worker's wages, then the cost of living was actually lower there than .elsewhere. It was to be regretted that antagonists of Labour adopted an attitude in dealing with the cost of living of selecting a few items that suited them and neglecting others. As to the cost of living generally, the Government had ample powers under such acts as the Trade and Commerce Act and the Board of Trade Act to deal with the problem. There had been a valuable report by the Commission on the Cost of.Living- in 1912, but the Government did not appear to have availed itself of this or of powers under Order-in-Council. Turning again to shipping, "Mr. Monteith declared that the Union Steam Ship Company, with shares paidup to the extent of only 3s 4d in the £, had paid 10 per cent, dividends on its nominal capital for a long terms of years, or 2s on every 3s 4d invested. If the company had charged only Is a ton in excess of what was a reasonable charge for the transport of coal from the West Coast, it would mean a matter of £40,000 a year to the public of the Dominion. AVas not the company receiving more than # its due for services rendered? Why did not New Zealand follow the example of the Commonwealth, which had.its own fleet, and had made it pay? Mr. Monteith declared himself vehemently opposed to the proposal for indentured coloured labour in Samoa. Wherever such labour was used it left a,moral stench behind it. He recalled the protest _of the late Richard Seddon against the introduction of Chinese labour on the Rand. The only way, continued the candidate, to reduce the cost of living was to enter into competition with monopolies, which sucked the life-blood of tho State. He referred to the shipping monopoly, and the bank monopoly, both fostered by the State'in their weakness, and now battening off the State in their strength. It was not right that enterprise of a public character should be run for the benefit? of a few shareholders rather-than for the good of the community "at large. By superseding the excess profits tax with an income tax the National Government had enabled monopolists to "pass it on" to the public. In conclusion, the candidate said he did not think people who voted for him would ever have cause to regret it, as he considered he nnderstood, after long -experience and study, the needs of the country and its people, and he would serve the people to the best of his ability. After answering questions, the candidate received a hearty vote of thanks and confidence.