WAGES RATE TO REMAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1938, Page 20

WAGES RATE TO REMAIN

REPLY TO CHALLENGE

COUNTER-QUESTIONS ASKED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 23. "We will not reduce wages, salaries, or pensions." An emphatic reply in I these words was made by the Hon. ; Adam Hamilton, Leader of the National Party, tonight, in accepting the challenge of the Minister of Education, the j Hon. P.- Fraser, to state the party's policy definitely. In turn, Mr. Hamilton challenged Mr. Fraser and the i Prime Minister..... to. .answer with ..the same ■positiveness the - questions v ,,he asked- ■"' ■: .■:•: *-~ --,■.. •, -,- ,;' ; ■ * | "The Minister of Education has I started, his old game of issuing chalj lenges. He has issued, one tome, and I 1 am not going to run away from the Minister and his colleagues. My answer to the challenge will be without qualijficatiqn of any sort. I want to tell the | Minister that two can play at challenging. I want him to take up the challenge I Shall make to him and remember who started it." Mr. Fraser had asked, if a depression came would the National Party pledge itself not to reduce wages, salaries, and social services? Mr. Hamilton's reply to .that was: "We will pledge ourselves not |o cut wages, salaries, or social services." (Hear, hear; applause and boos.) No man had ever given a straighter or more positive answer than that, Mr. Hamilton said. QUESTIONS FOR MINISTER. "I now challenge the Minister of Education and hope that lie will be as positive and as emphatic:-— "Did the Labour Party's newspaper cut the wages of Its employees during! the last depression? "Will he give an assurance that, in the event ol another depression, they will not cut workers' wages again? I "Will the Prime Minister explain what he means by insulating New Zealand from a fall in overseas prices, j and why he did not insulate the sheep owners against the fall of more than! £6,000,000 in last year's wool prices? "And will he also explain why he did not insulate the dairy farmer against the increased costs this year? "Will his party, if returned to power, gave an assurance that the country quota will not be interfered with?" If the Government said that the National Party would make the Arbitration Court cut wages, it was saying something that was not true. For the tenth time he would say that the National Party would not cut wages and pensions. It would leave industry to the Arbitration Court. When Mr. Hamilton declared that compulsory unionism was to go, applause and cheering was deafening, and some hooting was also heard above the expressions of approval. CROWD' ENTHUSIASTIC. "This has been an outstanding address by an outstanding man," said Mr. S. G. Holland* M.P., candidate for Christchurch North. Mr. Hamilton had conducted his examination of the political issue on a high ethical plane. There had been no mud-slinging and personalities had been conspicuous by their absence. Amid uproar, Mr. Holland, who was supported on the platform by Mr. Gladstone Ward (Christchurch South), Mr. Hiram Hunter (Avon), Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Riccarton), and Mr. K. Armour (Christchurch East), the party's candidates, moved: "That this mass meeting of citizens of Christchurch accords to the Hon. Adam Hamilton a hearty vote of thanks for his outstanding address on the present political situation, and pledges itself to work wholeheartedly to ensure the election of the National Party. This meeting also accords Mr. Hamilton a resolution of its opinion that it has confidence in him to lead the country as Prime Minister." The motion was declared carried, in continued uproar, by the chairman, and "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" was sung and cheers were given. j CHOOSE YOUR COLOUR. Bring new brightness and variety into your home—change room colour schemes! Dye curtains, bedspreads, cushion covers, rugs, lamp shades, etc., easily and inexpensively with Nadco.j Nadco dyes all fabrics alike, giving j same shade to all; 30 colours. At chemists or stores.—Advt.