NEW ZEALAND POLITICS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 March 1930, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND POLITICS

MR. HOLLAND’S INTIMATION EARLY ELECTION POSSIBLE [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WESTPORT, March 29. The Buller Labour Representative Committee has arranged for Mr. Holland, leader of the Labour Party, to address the industrial unions in Buller electorate on the political situation and the Labour Party’s national campaign. In line with this arrangement, Mr. Holland spoke before a well attended meeting of the Westport General Labourers Union last evening, when he reaffirmed his statement made recently to the Westport branch of the Labour Party. He warned unionists that an election was quite possible before the end of the present year, and he urged that it was their clear duty to stand prepared. If the Reform party should again come into power it would of course mean a reversion to that party’s wages policy of 12/and 9/- a day. The United Party’s failure left them with no alternative whatever, but to strive to place a Labour Government on the Treasury Benches. The meeting unanimously resolved on a minimum contribution of 5/per member to the Labour Party’s national campaign fund, within a stated period, and also pledged the union to give every support to the party in the event of an election coming. This week, Mr. Holland is addressing meetings of various miners’ unions. MR. DE LA PERRELLE’S TOUR BLENHEIM, March 29. “It has been suggested that members of Cabinet have been unable to fulfil their obligations,' said Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle at the civic reception last night, “but I want to say that I believe that every member of Cabinet is carrying out his duties and doing it untrammelled. There is further complaint, this time from people who are asking about legislation for the coming session. They have expected us to divulge our programme, but I ask you has any party ever said to the people what legislation it proposed to bring down? I want to say it will be presented'in due course to members when they assemble in Parliament for transaction of business. Furthermore, the legislation will be up-to-date and ample in every particular for the welfare and advancement of this Dominion.” (Applause). The Minister went on to make a brief reference to land settlement, and to illustrate what the Government had done to provide financial assistance for people on the land. ■ He stated that during the last 14 months, the State Advances Department had established a record of actually paying out the sum of £6,000,000 to settlers and workers. . “I want to tell you that he is steadily improving,” proceeded the Minister, amidst applause, in referring to the illness of Sir Joseph Ward. “I want to tell you that physically and mentally, with the exception of one of his legs, which is troubling him somewhat, that he is as good as ever. (Hear, hear). As you know the Prime Minister has been attacked by his opponents during hisl illness, but I consider it is unsportsmanlike, ungenerous and unkind for some of the papers, and some individuals, to have criticised so severely a sick man. (Hear, hear.) Wo have never tried to take advantage of sick men. In the last session of Parliament, there were half a dozen members whom we hardly saw because of sickness, but we sympathised with them, and did not try to hurry them. However, I think the great bulk of the people of New Zealand do not associate themselves with these attacks,

and sincerely hope and trust that Sir Joseph will be restored to health, and bo able to resume his seat in the House.” (Applause). The Minister received a number of deputations, and leaves for Wellington to-morrow.