THE LABOUR SQUEEZE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 20 May 1930, Page 10

THE LABOUR SQUEEZE

WHAT PARTY WILL WANT

PRICE OF SUPPORT

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WAIROA, 19 th May

Referring to" the existing political situation in a speech here to-night, Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, said he thought the main effect of the resignation of the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) would reflect itself through the United Party, which had been built up around Sir Joseph Ward's personality and wholly owed its continued existence to him. Its elements were so extremely diverse that with Sir Joseph .no longer at its head it was more than possible that "it would soon find itself beset by internal troubles. That fact might easily hasteii a political crisis.

So far as the Lalxmr Party was concerned, its declared attitude would not be changed. It would stand by the principles outlined in the decision of a special meeting of tho party held in February last and confirmed at the annual Labour Conference at Easter. These include an advanced land settlement policy, together with the conservation and encouragement of secondary industries; further absorption of unemployed on works necessary and of a public character, including the effective roading of back-country areas, and tho speedy completion of justifiable railway works. Standard rates of pay would prevail, and relief rates would be abolished. The creation of an employment board and unemployment insurance were items on the programme; also the organisation of credit and overseas marketing of the Dominion's products along the lines of the British Government's policy.

Labour would-press for these while the present Government remained in office. *

It also favoured a revision of the policy in Weste/rn Samoa. If it came into office it would give legislative effect to the proposals.

Mr. Holland further said- that Sir Joseph Ward's retirement from a cause which all deplored must not bo put forward as an excuse for delaying tho meeting of Parliament or holding back any part of the legislation promised. In view of the appalling situation in jrelation to unemployment an d^, the imJportance of kindred problems almost equally serious,■ Parliament should be !called together at the earliest possible moment. .

It had been suggested that the new Government would require time to make its preparations for the session, but he pbinted out that according to intimations made the Government's programme was well in hand. It was not suggested that- the Prime Minister's resignation would- mean a new programme. There was no reason why, without waste of time, the House should not get ■ down to business.