WELLINGTON CENTRAL

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

WELLINGTON CENTRAL

MR. P. FRASER'S ADDRESSES

Mr. Peter Fraser, Labour candidate for Wellington Central, addressed ' a somewhat sparse meeting of electors in tho Congregational Church Schoolroom, Cambridge- terrace, last evening. Mr. B. 13. Scruten presided. The candidate gave an account of his stewardship as member for the district since 1919, and attributed his increasing majority as a mark of increased confidence in the Labour Party. He had always supported everything that tended to improve the workers' conditions. He strongly attacked what lie called the Reform Government's policy of wage reduction and unblushing concern for the wealthy section of the .community. He challenged his opponent to declare openly whether he believed or not in the Government's policy in this direction. As to housing, he ridiculed the Government Statistician's estimate of average rents. Tho various steps had robbed the workers of many millions in wages through the action of the Government and the Arbitration Court. The Government hacl helped to make tho conditions worse than they were. Did the Reform candidate approvo of this?

Mr. Fraser then strongly advocated tho Labour Party's motherhood endowment scheme. For half the amount granted the wealthy' in reduced taxation motherhood could be relieved of its terror of want poverty. The .candidate referred oucc more' to tho Rowley report as a schema with Government approval for the assistance of families out of the wages of single men. It was ridiculous for the Prime Minister +o ascribe the scheme to Mr. Piddington, K.C. There was not a quotation mark in the report. The Government had simply been found with the goods on it. The Labour Party claimed that the Prime Minister's present attitude was another .victory" for Labour. (Hear, hear.).

Mr. Fraser complained very bitterly ■of their .opponents' misrpe.. esentation of Labour's land and housing policy. There was no intention of interfering with the people' 3 equity in their homes. The Labour Party was out to get homes for the people, and its land policy would assist that and give the people security of tenure.

Other matters touched on'were pen-: sions and Labour's continual agitation for more adequate amounts for widows' and its proposals for better conditions. This, policy Labour intended to pursue in tho direction of its goal as outlined in its platform. Labour also advocated a State medical service, with free hospital treatment- and free medical treatment for mothers. These \verß comparatively easy of accomplishment. Health was not an individual question to-day, but a matter of public importance.

The candidate concluded with applause. He spoke also at the; Webb Street Hall on the Government's record and its reduction of taxation to the wealthy portion of the community, immigration, and other aspects of current politics. An attentive hearing was given, and vot.es of thanks and confidence passed in each case.