GISBORNE SEAT.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10739, 9 November 1928, Page 5

GISBORNE SEAT.

LABOR'S POLICY.

1111. D. W. COLEMAN AT MANGAPAPA.

LAND, PENSIONS. IMMIGRATION - . . !

Fifty electors of the Mangapapa Ristrict 'attended St, . Mary’s Hall last night when Mr. D. W. Coleman, Labor for the Gisborne seat, enumerated his party’s policy. The candidate was accorded a very attentive hearing and, at the conclusion, a vote of thanks and confidence was passed to him amidst applause. ... , . ' : Mr. : Coleman said the hand policy of the Labor Party 'aimed to promote closer settlement, firstly, by negotiations, of large holdings with the right to enforce the existing legislation for compulsory purchase by arbitration if the former course failed. He alleged dismal failure on the part of the Governmeint. to promote closer Settlement, pointing out that any efforts in this direction had. been nullified by the purchase of property at excessive'.prices, rendering it impossible for small farmers to take up and make /a living off the land. He argued that land aggregation was going on throughout the Dominion, and said that this would be; effectively cheeked by 'Labor’s policy of increased taxation on first and second-class holdings, which w-ould also serve to stimulate closer settlement. Dli the other hand, the Reform Government had issued a manifesto three years ago, stating that its land policy was to have a survey of unoccupied land undertaken, the taking in hand of pumice land, and advances for sub-division purposes, but these had proved to he only vague promises, which had never materialised, he contended. Mr. Lysnar had asked how taxation could be put; on third-class land, he said, but that was never suggested; it was proposed to increase the taxation only on first and second-class Rowings- . What he regarded as the inadequacy of the pensions provided by the Reform Government was strongly commented upon by Mr. Coleman, who said that LalGr’s contention was that pensions should he sufficient to enable recipients to maintain a reasonable standard of living. The Goveminent had also proposed a faini y allowance of 7s 6d per child, but had only paid out 2s per child to mothers with families over two, but tho conditions imposed made the ■rnheme useless. He advocated the extension of family allowances ana also the institution of invalids’ . pensions, where a man was totally incapacitated, and also the making of a reciprocal agreement with other British countries for the payment of pensions to people resident there. The Government’s immigration policy was assailed by Dir. Coleman, who contended that, in view of the housing conditions and the unemployment, the Government should have imposed restrictions when the Labor Party warned thorn _ of the danger threatened hv the influx fronk, tpe Old Country." He claimed that many immigrants had been tricked ana misled into commg to New Zealand Uv misleading propaganda The candidate concluded his address amidst applause, and. as. there were no questions for him to answer, the meeting concluded with a unanimous vote of conridence and thanks.

MR W. CLAYTON AT MANUTUKE

rln : pursuance of his campaign m the interests of the United Party, Mr W. L. Clayton addressed an audience of between 40 and 50 in the Manutuke Hall last night, Dlr W. W. Shanks presided. . .. The candidate spoke on the lines of his former addresses, announoing that any new points arising . would he dealt with at a later meeting. At the conclusion several questions were answered by the candidate, who on the motion oi Dlr AY. Sadler was accorded a vote of thanlto.