"UNDER ONE FLAG"

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 16, 18 July 1936, Page 8

"UNDER ONE FLAG"

ANTI-LABOUR FORCES

MOVEMENT IN THE SOUTH

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, This sDay.

The "revolutionary Socialism" of the Labour Government was attacked by the three Otago and Southland Opposition members of Parliament at a preliminary meeting to consider the formation of a National Party. , '■■~

"Mr. Adam Hamilton contended that Labour was hot qualified by experience, training, or ability to rule, and did not have.a mandate. "I believe," he said, "it will fail first of all in the handling of our money. -. Money and payment of interest is anathema to Labour, men. I once heard one say that interest was: the devil and the devil was interest. I am sure if Labour is the Government'for three years-it will add at least £20,000,000 to our National Debt, without any assets. It will also fail in. the handling of the unemployed, who are today becoming contented and do not want to go to work. Labour'will also fail in attempting to' nationalise everything it can. The idea that they are going to take over everything is, more in their minds than we think. Labour, does riot want any limits; it says 'the sky is the limit.'

"Labour made many election promises. One was the reform of the monetary- policy. Don't let us underestimate the sentiment that lingers around New Zealand that we must have some reform of our monetary system. It is widespread, and has considerable voting' strength. I believe that guaranteed prices helped* to win the farmers' vote. Another promise was restoration of the 'cuts' and better treatment of the unemployed. Some promises made at election time are hard to fill. We all find that out. However, it is wise and tactical to fulfil election' promises, and; sorr - of them are causing' embarrassment today."

Mr. W. A. Bodkin declared that Labour was pledged to destroy the capitalistic system, and would go further towards Socialism than any other country excepting Soviet Russia.

The view of Mr. James-Hargest was that the Government was composed of ''out and out" revolutionaries.

During the speeches reasons for the defeat of the Coalition Government were analysed. While Mr. Hamilton could not find any unpardonable sins in its legislation Mr. Bodkin considered that it had shaken the confidence of the public in the sanbtity of contracts and had created fear and alarm. Mr. Hargest said that the charge of being in lack of sympathy with the people had been the cause of its defeat.

All appealed for an alliance of antiLabour forces under one flag with- an agreed policy and with the support of youth. ■ :■ ;

It was intimated that within the next few weeks meetings would be held in the various electorates in Southland and Otago to form committees:

points and over, a premium of Is 2d per cwt will be paid for cheese grading at 93 and 931 points, and a premium of Is 5Jd per cwt for cheese grading at 94 points and over. In the case of both butter and qheese-there will be two rates for first grade and two rates for finest"