LABOUR’S CASE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20623, 26 November 1941, Page 4

LABOUR’S CASE

BAY OF PLENTY SEAT MR. MILLS’ CAMPAIGN NO TIME FOR POLITICS “My opponent has seen fit to declare that this election should be regarded as a test case, in which the verdict will be for or against the Government and its policies as a whole. I cannot subscribe to that idea, for at a time like this the people are not prepared to give internal politics the attention they would receive in normal times,” stated Mr. Chas. Mills, Labour candidate for the Say of Plenty seat, opening his campaign last night in Whatatutu. He added that the Government was prepared to stand upon its record, and, as indicated by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, some weeks ago, would refrain from stirring up political strife while the existence of the Empire was at stake. However, it could not permit a seat to go by default, and since the National Party had nominated a candidate, no other course was open but to contest the by-election. He hoped that the campaign would be conducted without hard feelings, and he gave an assurance that he personally would refrain from any political bickering.

“Judged by its Actions”

The Government could be judged by its actions, said Mr. Mills, and a large majority of the people knew quite well that the country had never been in a better state than under the Labour Government. Even while war was dislocating conditions throughout the world our internal administration was functioning perfectly, and enabling people to give of their best in the war effort. That effort, said Mr. Mills, was second only to that of the United Kingdom itself. After referring to the regrettable circumstances which had caused the by-election, the candidate paid a tribute to the valuable work of his late friend and colleague, Lieutenant A. G. Hultquist, M.P., on behalf of the constituency. The late member had given all his efforts to the district’s progress, and had kept in mind the interests not'only of Labour’s supporters, but of all the electors. That was typical of the attitude of the Government to which he had belonged. His work would constitute a lasting memorial to him throughout the whole of the Bay of Plenty. Recovery Under Labour Policy In passing, Mr. Mills reminded his hearers of conditions as they existed prior to the advent of the Labour Government. He said that destitution had stalked the country, and younger people, now enjoying first-class conditions for education and entry into employment probably had no conception of the conditions at that time. The primary producers had been hit badly by the collapse of internal markets, as well as by the depression overseas, and their outlook was regarded as hopeless. The change that came over the people of this Dominion on the advent of the Labour Government was possibly the most dramatic in the peace-time history of any country, he declared. Labour’s policy had put men and women to work, had freed frozen assets, and had opened up internal markets that had been closed for years. The primary producer was assisted by .the establishment of the guaranteed price policy, under which the farmers rapidly became reasonably prosperous.

Primary Producers’ Benefits

In 1935 the average of prices for butterfat was BJd per lb., said Mr. Mills. In the first year of the guaranteed price policy, it climbed to 12 9-16 d per lb., and in the last two years the farmers had received an average of 16d per lb. He asked what position the farmers would be in to-day without that policy? Further assistance in the form of subsidies had been given to farmers to the extent of £2,250,000 per annum for the past two years, he added. Dealing with the war effort, the candidate said that the Government had.placed this in the forefront, and while taking almost 100,000 men out of production for war purposes, had so organised industry that production had not fallen, and social services had been maintained. A Nationalist Government would have met the situation by drastic cuts in wages, and by abandoning the farmers to their fate. That was not the way of a Labour Government, however. At the conclusion of Mr. Mills’ address, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.F., also spoke briefly, taking occasion to congratulate Mr.- Mills on his comprehensive address. Several questions were dealt with from the platform, anl the meeting closed with votes of thanks to the speakers and to the chairman, Mr. Gordon Gregory.

During the next few days Mr. Mills will visit the northern part of the electorate, and campaign meetings in this end of the Bay of Plenty will be addressed on his behalf by Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P. These fixtures will include meetings in Kaitaratahi to-night, and in Makaraka to-morrow.