COATES OR CHAOS?

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 105, 30 October 1925, Page 7

COATES OR CHAOS?

REFORM RALLY AT THE UPPER HUTT

A Reform rally was held in the Independent' Hall, Upper Hutt, last evening, the seating accommodation bein" taxed to the utmost, and a large number of electors finding standing room only. Captain J. J. Clark presided. The Hon. W. Earnshaw, speaking as a worker and one who throughout his lifetime had earned his own livelihood by working at his trade, dealt at length with the humanitarian legislation passed by the Reform Government, and pointed out that during the last sax years the Government had done more than any previous Government had ever attempted to do in providing homes for the people, having expended over £20,----722,000 in providing 34,560 homes for the people. He also referred to tho Labour Party's land policy, which he pointed put was against the freehold and against the right of every man lo hold possession of his own home. Ho spoke in eulogistic terms of the Hon. Mr. Coates, in whom he declared tho people of New Zealand put every trust. Mr. V. Jacobsen spoke on the "usehold" policy, pointing out that, under its operation, the Labour Party would simply assess a man's property at the Government valuation, and take it over at that price, and, if they elected to pay for it in Government bonds, which Mr. Fraser had said might be either interest bearing or non-interest bearing, the man would simply receive, on the 5 per cent, basis of redemption proposed, the amount ho would be assessed at by way of rent, if he continued in occupation of the property. Thus in 20 years he would be practically dispossessed of his home without having received anything by way of compensation.

Mr. E. A. James dealt in vigorous fashion with the two leaflets issued by the Labour Party, which he said had been broadcasted throughout the electorate. He denounced in vigorous terms what he described as the malicious and audacious lie disseminated by the Labour Party concerning tho alleged proposal to reduce wages by 7s 6d per week.

Mr. A. W. Blair dealt at length with the shipping trouble, pointing out that the dispute was not one which had arisen or could be settled here; and that the men had been grievously misled in breaking their agreements with the shipowners^ who hud to compete with foreign shipping.

Mr. W. 11. Field spoke at length in support of his candidature and of the Reform Government. The candidate was subsequently bombarded with quesfions, and at the close of the meeting Mr. J. Whiteman moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Field for his lucid and interesting address, expressing the confidence of the meeting in both the candidate and Mr. Coates as the leader of the Government, and declaring that the great issue to be decided on Wednesday next was "Coates or Chaos?"

The proceedings closed with votes of thanks to the chairman and to tho speakers.