BULLER BY-ELECTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 November 1933, Page 2

BULLER BY-ELECTION

MR LANGSTONE AT COBDEN. j

Speaking at McKane’s Hall, Cobden, | last evening, in support of the candidature of Mr P. C. Webb for the Buller seat, Mr F. Langstone, M.P., for Waimarino, and National President of the New Zealand Labour Party, gave an outline of the policy of the party. The Chair was occupied by Mr R. Marley. Mr Langstone referred to the effects of the war, the changes made possible by legislation, the loss of purchasing power by the people, and the growth of unemployment. He stated that he represented a farming community, but criticised the exchange policy of the Government as stupid. People in New Zealand had to pay higher prices, and the farmers did not really get the benefit. The Labour Party knew the remedy for the existing state of affairs. Several questions were answered by Mr Langstone, and he was accorded a vote of thanks, moved by Mr* A. H. McKane. MR SEMPLE AT RUNANGA. “This man-made calamity, and Labour’s way out,” was the subject of an address delivered last evening by Mr R. Semple, member for Wellington East, to a large audience at the Miners’ Hall, Runanga. Mr Semple spoke in support of Mr Webb’s candidature. The chair taken by the Mayor of Runanga (Mr R. McTaggart). Mr Semple maintained that the only Temedy for present difficulties was for the people to obtain control of Parliament, and, by so doing, secure control of the money and the credit of the country. He paid a tribute to Mr Webb, and said that he had been selected as the candidate in accordance with the constitution of the Labour Party. The opponents of Labour would be delighted if there were a split in the ranks, but the speaker had worked in the mines for 20 years, and had more faith in the West Coast miners, than to think that they would be led into opposing the official Labour candidate. After questions were answered, Mi- J. K. Connel (President of the State Miners’ Union) moved a vote of thanks to Mr Semple.

[to the editob.] Sir,-—We people of Cobden had the pleasure last night of listening to all the world’s evils. We had a gentleman taking off one of our shining lights and talking in millions. Outshining light being outdone, left the meeting early. I wonder how many of us remember the figures this morning. We learnt that the most brainy men in the world are leading the Labour Party here in New Zealand, and by putting them in power the way of recovery will be shown. The world and New Zealand will be a garden of Eden without the serpent. What glorious news to huiigry men. We are to have free hospitals, shorter hours, and national superannuation soon after we pass our boyhood stage. Who doesn’t v6te for Labour after that is a mug. We were told of the national debt being cleared in ten years and of price control; the Labour Party paying the “Cockie” 1/6 for his butter and selling overseas for 9d: then buying a 9d article overseas and selling to the “Cockie” foi' 1/6. You miners on the Coast are in for a good time. I presume coal will be treated the same as butter. When Paddy buys up your coal at 1/6 and sells it over the Hill for 9d, beat him down when he comes back with the 9d article and tries to rope it on to you for 1/6. The intelligence of the people of this electorate was very poorly rated when they were not left a clear field to nominate their own representative. There are many eligible men on the Coast. The platform of the Party is the people are to rule the country; but in practice you have not a say. The candidate was roped on to you in this instance. “When plums are ripe, it is only me and my friends that get them.” You couldn’t put a man up if you wanted to and defeat Paddy Webb; they have you where they want you, with a grouch. Remember the Co-op. mines and who got the plums, and will it assist you when they have representative power? Human nature says, “Self first, you can have the leavings.”—Yours, etc., COBDENITE.