LABOUR PLEDGES FULFILLED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23092, 3 November 1949, Page 6

LABOUR PLEDGES FULFILLED

Pledges made by the Labour Party in the 1935 election and in the review of forthcoming legislation promulgated after the party took over the Treasury benches had been fulfilled in all respects, Mr. Keeling stated when he met a representative gathering of electors at Wainui last evening. The Government had promised to give full employment and to recognise the right of every man to a worth-while job. It had undertaken to protect the unfortunate from the economic hardships associated with illness, and to improve the standard of living for the whole community.

These promises had been fully redeemed and the Government had developed a legislative programme in which it secured to every class of worker and producer a higher return for their efforts. Purchasing power of the people had increased remarkably in consequence of the greater rewards for production, and the 40-hour week, about which opponents of the Government had been highly critical, had been introduced with excellent effect. The candidate took an early opportunity to refer to the record of Mr. D. W. Coleman, in his representation of the district since 1930, and declared that no man had done more for a district than had Mr. Coleman. He reminded the gathering that during the past 19 years Gisborne had received the great benefits of railway connection to the south, the construction of a modern aerodrome, the erection of the Intermediate School and other educational institutions, and a very considerable outlay on State housing. These were only some of the amenities won for Gisborne through Mr. Coleman’s representation, and through the interest of the Labour Government in the development of areas which previous administrations had neglected. It was a matter for great regret that. Mr. Coleman’s health had forced his decision to retire from Parliamentary life; and since that decision was irrevocable he —Mr. Keeling—felt a great urge to carry on the work so ably instituted by Mr. Coleman. Speaking of the Government’s sympathy for people in the remoter areas of the Dominion, the candidate reminded his audience of the prompt and efficient intervention made on behalf of flood sufferers in the Gisborne - district last year. He estimated the outlay on flood-relief for the benefit of Gisborne at £32,570.

The meeting, at which • Mr. E. C. Richards presided, accorded Mr. Keeling a vote of thanks on the motion of Mr. W. Turbitt, seconded by Mr. Cotten.