LABOR’S CAUSE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11492, 20 November 1931, Page 5

LABOR’S CAUSE

AIR. COLEMAN AT CITY HALL. PAST GOVERNMENT'S CRICIGISED. UNANIMOUS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. Cfitieiem of the past Governments ana u review of the major planks in Labor’s platform formed th u subject matter for the first town address, in tliu City Hull last evening, of 'Air. ~V. Coleman, Labor candidate for the ’ Gisborne .scat. There were about LOO neoplo present, in tin* ball and at nie clo.-i(i a Unanimous vole ot confidence in tho' candidate Was passeu amid scenes of great enthusiasm The chair "was taken by the dep-Uty-Mayor, 'Mr H. E. Atuudo, who in the course of a brief speech introducing the candidate, said that lio liad - ctoeu associated with Air Coloma ’4 for a number of years and bad f*>und tliat every object for the betterment of the borough of Gisborrio liad in him a. very strong suppotter and a very hard worker. On rising to speak, Mr Coleman Was given a reusing reception and a large suctitm of the crowd broke out into tliq strains of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The candidate •expressed his thanks to the chairman for Ids kind remarks and said that ho had always endeavoured to do his duty as ho saw it. Whether or nob his actions wore approved by everyone, he could certainly say in any action lie had been guided by the desire to act in the bdst interests of all tlin peoplo. The last Parliament, proceeded' Mr 'Coleman, was in the almost uni*qne positiou of having tlio tlircO parties in almost equal strength, none receiving the confidence of tlio majority of tho people. One definite fact was that tho Reform party bad not that confidence and if the elections had done nothing else they constituted a vote of no confidence In tho Reform party. Uni teds had strenuously fought and opposed Reform and they wore returned under n pledge they would do their best to oust Reform from office. They went to * the peoplo and condemned with) out mercy tho Reform policy. Now it was found that the ’United party, which had condemned the policy sand measures of which had blanvod Reform for bringing tlio country to the condition it was lu, whs asking Reform to join them. ‘''•Never has tho trust of tho peoplo been so betrayed as by the United party”, commented the candidate *Wo have been twitted that, for itwo years, we havo kept Uni teds on tho "Treasury benches. That is so, but wo have no apologies for this action on our part, though it seems Row-that wo were mistaken and mis* yuided. Labor was- returned on tlio •condition ' that, at tlio first opportunity, wo should remove Reform from tho Treasury benches and keep thorn from returning there. So wo have no apologies for supporting tho United 3 in order” to keep Kelorni out of power. AVliilst tlio Unitus Svero cuueavo unrig to carry out tho pledges they had given on the election platforms, we supported them, but when Sir Joseph Wind passed nwuyj, it scorned that tho last vest* igo of Literalism had passed away nls»S> and that tlio trust of the peoplo lead been betrayed. 'Gisborne district betrayed

“And nowhere else in tho Do-nun.-* ion lias there boon a greater betrayal than in tlio Gisboruo district , elated Mr Coleman, who recalled that Reform submitted seven poults to tlio Uniteds )Vho sWulloWed six ot those bolus bolus. One of these points was tl|p stoppage of tho Gis--Juorile-Napier railway bile and this was stopped by a Government which laid been entirely satisfied that it was in' tlio best interests of tlio district to havo the line. In 1985 RO" form promised thut the lino would bo completed and a start was about So bo made when, surveys having been completed, the Gisboruo Chamber of Commerce sot up an agitation in favor of the inland route as aguiust tlio coastal route. Instead Of Reform taking a firm stand, they immediately jumped at Lkq opportunitp ol’ delaying the work, telling Gisborno tci settle tlio matter for itself. The . of the Toutes continued until 1928 when United came into power. ious Ministers visited tho district the first boihg the Iloii. E. A. Rultsom, who explained that mdepena-j ont examinations were being carried out by the Ministers who- would then meet in Wellington to come td a final decision, Messrs Taverner -and Forbes followed Air Ransom and all spoke strouglv in favor of eompletiug the lino, bir Josopli ward iollowod and he informed a deputation that it seemed io him that Gisborno was something of a 'Rip' Van Winkle ns lie bad turned tho first sod lor tho line thirty, years previously and it seemed very few sods had been turned since. Sir Joseph- promised that tho lino •would bo completed and Stated that tho cheapest route would be followed, also that it would be started in such a way that po Government comiiig after ’ elate stop tho work. “Sir . Joseph was hardly cold ir. liis grave”, continued Air Coleman, “when those- seif-samO gentlemen who were supposed to have .borne to an intelligent decision with the Prime Alinister and had endorsed his action, stopped tho niio. UiP doubtedly the Reform ' and United parties, arid they alone, w ’© r S ’ e * sponsible for the stoppage ot tho line- I notice that Air Lysnar, m the. House, when a Labor member commented thut the Government had stopped the worky-replied that the Railways Board was responsible, nov the Government. Air Lysnar knew or should have known, that the work liad been stopped before the Ran* ways Board tSwe ito existence. Tho only party which,’ as a- party, condemned tho stoppage •. was tho Labor party- To a man they voted against the cessation of the work. T know the visit of the Railways Board to Gisborne was a farce and I do not believe they ever desired to come hero at all" and that tho reason toey dirl was becauso tbo local railway delegation kept up an active agitation. Before I was twenty dmutes tu the company of the board members, V realised there was littlo to nope for from them so far as the continuation of the line- was concerned. I do not condemn 'tho personnel ot the board, but I certainly, do the.scope of inquiry they were limited to. When any mention was made ot the beauty of ' the district, tho potential development, they answered simply tliat the only aspect concerning them was whether the line would pay. WHY SHOULD LOCAL LINE. PAY? “Many of us believe tliat the line would pay” proceeded Air Coleman, “but why should it pay? When roads are put down, tlio users are not asked to pay tlio costs, the interest on the capital, tho maintenance*. Highways are put down alongside railways which arc expected to pay all charges while the voads pay only a- very small part. Wo do not consider it fair, because tlio lward had doubts on this Aspect, that tlio lino should havo been stopped.. Again I say that tho United party, at tho-instigation of Reform, halted tho work. To vote for the Government, for -their candidates, is an endorsement of their policy, and part of tliat policy is the stoppage of tho construction of our lino. Y r ou' must decide in December 2 whether or not you will endorse__that policy. I know that both tho "other Gisborne candidates say that they favor the continuation of the work, but they both say also tliat they will not vote on a mo-confidenoo motion against the Government.,

“Air Lysnar was asked .fn the House if ho would vote against the Government because of the stoppage of tbo lino construction” stated tho Labor candidate, “and bis reply was that he did riot consider the matter serious enough for that. But I say it was serious enough to put out any government. Stopping the line meant a tremendous amount to the district, hardship, suffering, privation and distress to hundreds of workers and their families. Withput a moment’s notice the work .was stopped, no opportunity at all being given the workers to make provision for other employment, if this Lad been, obtainable.” UN EAfPLO YICD -.TtOBLEM Dio speaker went on to say that ho considered the money expended in this district on unemployed relief works could have been better expended on construction of the lino, though in saying tliat he was not advocating the relief rates of pay. By using the money in tliat way, some benefit, some, lasting good, would have accrued. He was not saving that the money spent on the relief works had been wasted, but bo claimed that consolidated revenue should not be used on loeal body Work, but only on national work, and the railways was a national work. The stopping of tlio lines in tho Dominion had thrown thousands of extra men on the labor market. The unemployed problem to-day Was the outstanding problem in New Zealand and elsewhere in the world, bub if a wise policy had been adopted in this country all tlio evils of unemployment could have been avoided. Now Zealand was the last to feel the effects of the depression what was happening .elsewhere had been obvious, and had the Government adopted. a wise policy then the present position would never have arisen. Ho believed that Reform s immigration policp was largely responsible for the position existing. Labor liad repeatedly warned the Government to abandon this policy, pointing out what was happening elsewhere, had pleaded with them to’ ""stop assisted immigration, bub bho only reply bo tho Labor protests was tlio charge that they were_be-inr-j* disloyal, since it was tlio duty of the Dominion, Reform conteiloeu, to attempt to relievo the position in the Old Country, Labor was not opposed to immigration, lor they believed New Zealand couicl carry 10,000,000 as easily as she could her present total, but they believed that -the policy must bo carried 'out on a scientific basis and that provision must be made tor tlie absorption of all the arrivals at wages permitting a reasonable standard of living. 1 ~ ... Air Coleman contended . tliat tlio Reform policy had boon simply to bring the peoplo out hero and dump them in tho cities to swell the total of unemployed. Ho was nob blaming -the immigrants themselves, lor lie knew they liad been tricked, as for instance by a book now in his possession in which ’it was interred that tho average wage of tlio working mail in the Dominion was por week and by photographs of elaborate and expensive villas wliicli wore claimed to be typical workers homes His own experience of local body work brought him into contact with many who said they had been tricked into leaving the Old Country for New Zealand, despite ho fact they had been comfortably oil in tlio Homeland. Tho mailt desire behind the change, he said, was to ffivo children a better chance in life than they had. SOME STATISTICS

Turning to statistics, the candidate said tliat between 1920 and 1929 a total of 80,621 Immigrants were brought here from Britain, ,29,040 being assisted. In a. Glasgow paper as recently as last March 7 last, there appeared an advertisement inviting domestic servants to come out to New Zeuland, as they were, .urgently required there, offering thorn free pussago, a gift of £2, and the promise of a job on arrival. 1 he advertisement further stated that a Government official would ho visiting tlie town to make arrangements for any wishing to accept the oiler. “To send round a government official to canvass for domestic servants, when wo have thousands hero wanting jobs, is more than n shurno; it is a crime” stated Mr Coleman. Ho went on to say that tlio Government jwas still making efforts to attract immigrants here. In tho recent estimates £ll,nO was provided for immigration during the vear and there was also a sum of £IO,OOO in the Public Works estimates. During the year ended Alarcli 01. last, tho sum of £33.544 was exnonded in immigration and by tlio last annual report of tlio Immigration Department it was shown tliat, last year, 2610 .Immigrants landed in New Zealand, of which 1233 were assisted. Though given out that immigration had ceased, it was plain that the Government was still carrying it on .iud bringing out people Air' Coleman expressed tlie belief that a recent statement in an Australian paper, flatly contradictedin New Zealand, that there were 100,000 unemployed in this country was not far from tlie truth, since the actual registrations, totalled ->O.OOO, thero .wore many unregistered nud a great many more under the ago rendering tHom eligible for registration and employment on. relief works. There wore many instances of privation and suffering, of men unablo to work through lack ot nourishment, in Gisborno, and this was unuev a Government which had promised, at last election, that they would do away with the unemployment. Sir Joseph Wlard had made a valiant effort to do as lie promised . and the speaker believed ho might have succeeded, for the Unemployed army was rapidly decreasing under his administration with the true Liberal spirit. As soon as he was gono United sold out to Reform and the best these two could give was the No. 5 scheme. Air Coleman pointed out that a commission of representatives of employers, manufacturers, industrial unions etc., liad reached a unanimous agreement to solve tlio unemployed problem, tlio suggestions ceing commended by Cabinet oiul approved by t the House, also marking the first time that tho problem was treated as a national, social problem. Properly administered, tlio Act would have gone a long way towards relieving the situation, but instead it was now being administered by regulation issued by the Minister of Labor and the Unemployed Board. Air Coates was tlio Minister and ho was also the .ckanS. G. Einitli was Minister of Labor man'of tho board. When, tho Hon. ho was about to administer the Act tis it was on tho books, when All - Forbes returned from tho Old Country aud immediately forbade any sustenance ullqwaueo which was a feature of tlio Act, “The best wo have to-dav is the No. 5 scheme”, continued Mr Coleman “and as bad as that is it is infinitely Better than what you are going to got in three or four weeks’ time, if Coalition is returned to power. I am not making a wild statement, for I am saying this on tho strength of some confidential information which 1 am not at liberty to disclose. T want you to imirK my words anti see if they do not como true.” WAGES AND PENSIONS CUTS The Labor candidate went on to say that he liad a record of 123 divisions forced bv Labor against the outu in wages, ’pensions and into tho 'provisions of the Unemployment Act. Not in one single instance had me name of Wl D. Lysnar appeared as voting against the cuts. “I do find, however, that on 23 occasions he did not vote at all, I suppose to shew his independence,” remarked

tho candidate. “Three or four of the Independents did vote with Labor, and. on a few occasions, so did two or three members of tlio Reform and United parties, but not once did W. D. Lysnar. Of course ho is consistent, i'or wo know that he favor 3 tho cut, as a number of you heard him pay in tho council chamber that those wanting jobs should be satisfied with 15s a week. That is the attitude of Mr Lysnar. Once I wired him when he opposed the Government doing anything for the single tnen, and 1 might- sav tliat that is one of the things which will happen in three tor four weeks if tbo Coalition is returned, and bo replied that there was any amount of work in. the country. I wired asking where, but there was no reply. On his coming to Gisborno, I approached him again and he said that he could not say exactly here the work was offhapd, but that they should be willing to work for tucker only, or, at least. for half wages and tucker. Air Lysnar then detailed his plan more fully, saying that lists should be prepared of those men willing to work for half wages and tucker, also for those willing to work For tucker alone after which work for tho men should be advertised for in the papers. Tliat was all the remedy ho could suggest. Stressing that the Labor party strenuously opposed the wages eut. the speaker said the real remedy lay in increasing taxation based on tlio ability to pay. The cuts were ruining business and inflicting liardshps on thousands. Business rnc*n would know the truth of this, even though at first they' ; mave have been inclined to fevor tlie reduced scale of wages. He had strongly opposed the cuts on all local bodies, saying that it was a suicidal policy to reduce tho purchasing power of tlie people which reflected right back to the man on tho land. Statements had been made lately that tho unemployed situation was easing, hut act.uallv it' was really worse than ever, for despite the opening of all tho seasonal operations which absorbed thousands there was a reduction in the registered unemployed of only a few hundreds. “If tou want these things to continue”, he averred, “vote for Air Lysnar or Alt- Do 'Laotour. it doesn't matter which. ns both stand for tho same things. T? you favor a change of conditions, ii you consider tho time lias arrived for 'the situation to be grappled with in a statesmanlike manner, thou vote Labor.”

FARAIERS' TROUBLES All would admit that tlio primary producer was having a very lean hard time, proceeded Air Coleman, and until recently the only .solution tho average farmer could suggest was tlio abolition of the Arbitration Court and that was about the only resolution that Farmers’ Unions, etc., passed If tlio farmer had all his labor for nothing lie still would not bo well off, for what is really crippling him is the payments duo for interest. Labor will take a strong stand on this question, form a central bank and place tbo other banks under State control, as _ it was believed by Labor that thri Goveruient should dictate the policy ol the banks and financial institutions, not tho reverse order of things as existing 10-day. Some people would say that those bodies were not making u profit just now, but the following figures should disprove that contention: For tho year ended Alay of last year, ’tho N.Z. Insurance Co. made a profit of £250,888 and paid a dividend of 12 per cent., tho Bank of New Zealand was £850,814, and tlie dividend 11 per cent., tho National Bank £205,280 and 1(J per cent., tho Union Bank of (Australia £525,055 and 121 per cent.. Bank of Now South Wales . £734,090 and just tinder TO per cent., the Bank of Australasia £050,084 and 14 per cent., the South British Insurance £191.033 and 13 jior cent., and so on. Labor would establish a 81ate Bank with the sole right of note issue. Labor’s taxation 'proposals had been strongly criticised, some of them were put on tlio Statute Book by Grey.' Ballaiice and 'Soddon. Acually Labor would increase tlio taxation op unearned increments etc., plus a graduated tax on incomes and monopolies and reduce the present indirect taxation which was such a burden on lunulv incomes. There was nothing iinroasouublo in those proposals and they would recall that Reform exempted W'daltliy landowners from income tax wliicli meant a present of £2,UOO.UOO annually to them. Now tlie Cuutes-Forbes combination was not satisfied, but must release them from the graduated land tax which was placed oil the books by iSeddoil. To make up for the revenue thus lost, the Government was introducing proposals which imposed baa'dship on tlie working farmer. Alost of the .smaller farmers had lauds valued at between £3090 and £SOOO, but the removal of the graduated land tax was nut extended U> them, all farms under the value of £SOOO being exempt from tlie relieving Act mentioned. There was still more to lie made up, therefore taxes were imposed on necessities such as tea, sugar *. • • • A voice: “Beer.’

“'J. might debate with you as to whether tliat is a necessity’, ’ replied Air. Coleman. A’ "'ere tofil that, with the wages cut, the cost of living would come down, but since then the Government had increased the Customs duties which meant that tho cost of living.had increased, not gone down. The increased income tax moans a proportionately far greater increase on the lower salaried men than on those in receipt of big incomes. The simple fact of the position was that the Government was Imalving gifts to the wealthy and penalising the poor, the exact attitude which AD. Ransom formerly charged Reform with and which lie i s now putting into' effect himself. The speaker cited instances of the Government's inconsistency-, pointing out that the wages eut had been imposed even on charwomen, vyho had been cleaning the House of Parliament for 10 yeaas and over at a wage of £2 10s a week, while a bonus of £025 was granted to Air. Thomson, who had been receiving a salary of £I2OO per annum and was retiring on £B3O per annum. The general manager of the railways. Mr Sterling, was allowed to retire on an income of '£1431, plus an extra £IOOO per annum as chairman of the Railways Board and also the right of private work. EDUCATION CUTS, Turning to education, he said Una tlie AJblister's report wa s clear that an attack was to be made on the education sustain of tho country. The Government said that education was costing too much. The cluot cause of the increase in cost was tho decrease in tlio purchasing value of the pound since 1914. Tho real increase in the cost of education in tlie years 1914 and 1931 was lls ou a head. The teachers to-day were better trained and at least twice as efficient as those of 1914, and if tho cost to tlio country was only lls 3d a head more it- was not a very large amount for tho Dominion to pay, Tho Teachers’ Association was much alarmed at the proposed new schemes and ,sont ar circular letter throughout Now Zealand to various loeal bodies interested. Some gave iii consideration; athors said it was an impudent document ami the teachers should be censured. Tlije speaker had read tho document and thought it was very fair and straight, aud lie faffed to find any statements that could he called impudent. The Government report gave a very clear indication that tho facilities of free

secular education in New Zealand were to be curtailed. Am attack was to Bo rnado on free places. A very targe iproaortlon .ol 4he students at secondary schools liad earned their places bv examination. •ylfLabor Party stood for free secular arul xsompuiuory education it, tnfc primary and secondary Kcliools Every bov-c-r girl who qualified should be entitled to attend a secondary school. Instead of making education harder for the child, the Labor Party proposed to make it easiei. But the Govern men t of to-day wa s against that, and were saying, in fecit, that the children of the working clns.s should be hewers of wood and carriers of water fur tin wealthier classes. ATTEMPTED COALITION IN 1923. in 1922 tho Reform Party were defeated at tho poll. They called the Government toegthcr and expected lo be delated on a want of confidence motion, but were kept in power by three or four so-called Liberals who had been returned a few weeks previously with the idea that they would help to oust the Government. The Reform Party suggested a coalition with tbo United Party, as they were called then, the Nationalist party. The Reform party said mat the two parties would be able to fight the Labor party and submitted proposals to that effect to tho Nationalists. In 1923, according to Hansard, Mr. Forbes said the Liberals preferred to retain their independence. Air. Forbes, on that occasion said such a coalition would bo a great calamity. Ho said: “It is no use saying that this party (tho Reform party.) is not dominated by vested interests.” Now he _ invites Mr. Coates to co-operate with him to form a Government to fight tho Labor party. Surely his words placed on record "in Hansard in ft-a L '°"j demned him .The United Party had joined the Reform party with their eyes open. Tlie Reform party laid down the conditions, and those conditions were that the United party should adopt the policy of the Reform partv. In a circular issued by Air. Coates to branches of tho reform partv throughout New Zealand he said tliat the Reform Party had lost none of its principles. The United party “sold out” lo the Reform party, _\lr. Forbes* attitude in was tne correct attitude i’or any Liberal party to adopt. In 1929 Air. Chutes went to the country, with his slogan ol' ‘The man who gets things done.’ Mr. Holland had said on more than oho occasion that Mr. Coates had got things done all right and the peoplo are wondering how many more lie is going to do. He went back with one of tho largest majorities any Premier ever bad. Ho soon brought the country to chaos aud tho 1928 election showed the result—that the country had no confidence in Alt* Coates and his Reform party. Sir Jcisoph Ward was returned as tho leader of the United party, and bo undertook to lead it on true Liberal lilies. ‘T.IBERALISAI BETRAYED.” Since then, said Air Coleman, what had happened. Could anyone imagine such Liberal stalwarts as Grey, Bui' lance, Sodduii and Ward (A vole -- “And Herb deCosta” Laughter) scchiu< r to link up with a party that all along had fought against all the social and humanitarian legislation or tho country, and fought tooth and nail. Yet they found the so-called linking up with tho Reform party. Tho speaker said lie had no hesitation in saying that Air. Forbes and his party had betrayed and crucified Liberalism in New Zealand. Ifiu Labor party claimed to be tlio trim successors of the old-time Liberals (prolonged applause). Their policy was in tho same direction as that ot Sir Joseph Ward- and Air. feeddon. Mr Seddoii had said that the lanuers interests were tho interests of the workers and said the men who advised tlie people to vote against t ie workers were the enemies ol the farmers and the workers. The Labor party fought against trusts and combines. -Sonio might say that Air. Ljsnar did so. The speaker admitted ho hud done so, because he ielt the full effect of them. Recently m larliameub Air. Lvsn-ar had quoted an extract, saying: “Tliis is the last speech made by- R. J. Seddon.” Air. Lysnar however, did not say* that that speech was made at a Labor banquet m Australia there was a Labor alivo lie mixed up with the people to whom lie belonged. His party was then known as the Liberal-Labor partv, for there was no party in New Zealand. When he went to Australia when there was a Labor party. He associated with that party and,'not with the enemies of that party. Air. Lysnar however, did not complete his extract from Alt*. Seddon’s last speech. The concluding extract was as follow:;“And I am going hack to New Zealand, to God’s own country, to nationalise the food supplies of the people.” Air. Lysnar stooped at tilt paragraph ; it didn’t suit him to quote it. NO OBJECTION TO BEING CALLED A SOCIALIST.

Continuing, jif. cowman saiu taut ho nau ucen retoncu' io as a cociaiisi*. lien, two elections ago, no was Lenneu a “nolsnevisf' ana one election ago a- •■Ecu red.” now no was a socialist, it aian t matter in tno icast wnat tncy caneu mm. w’hcn Air. Seudon aas anve he and ms Ualjinet- were called Lfie, •'Seven Ucvns of Socialism.” it the Seddon Oabrnet stood tor socialism then what the Now Zealand Laoor party stood tor to-day was Socialism, and tiio speaker fiad not tuo slightest objection to being called a Socialist. PRESS UmIiNTNG CRITICISED. A recent wading article in the Uis. borne limes nad warned tiie pcopio against giving'then- votes to tne LaOor party, aud said tliat if tho Socialists gained power what a mess they would maKe ot things. “1 thinls that ot all tho colossal cneek I ever heard in my life,” said the. spealsor, “tliat took the bun. If the editor had said that when we got on to the Treasury Benches, wnat a mess we should nave to get the country out ot, ho would bq speaking the truth.” How two parties who had failed could expect to succeed when linked together, he .couldn’t quite see, but they saiclj ‘‘Re-elect us. and the country will return to prosperity and the Dominion will be saved. (A voice: “We'll all be in a mess.”). OLD STORY TAKEN SEIUOUSLI.

TSm spealijer recalled a visit jbo Wellington when kq met at a teatable t,a voice,: “Sure it was a teatable, Bill” —Laughter) three business men. They discussed politics and he was introduced to them, as a Labor Alayor and a Labor candidate and they were quite interested. Ono man reflected the opinion of the others. Hq said that years ago they liad given Kelorm a ciiauee; out ireform failed. Then they voted for she Liberals, but they also had failed. The business man said he was not a Laborite, nor did ho think he would ever be one, but he intended to vote Labor this time, for, he said, they can’t do worse than the other two parties had done. That was quite true, said Air. Coleman. Two parties had been tried and both had la.led. Thero are only three parties in tho House. Two had been given their chance.-Tho third is the Labor party, so that must be all right. Replying to questions, Air. Coleman said that ho would favor : subsidising secondary- industries * to a certain extent since it would mean keeping much of the money, now going out, within the Dominion. He would oppose any member of the Legislative Council 'being appointed

to Cabinet and also favored the abolition of the Upper House. On the motion ol Air. G. R. Whiting, seconded by Airs. Dymond, the following motion was then carried unanimously: “That this .meeting accords a hearty vote of" thanks to Air. Coleman and oar full confidence, in him as our representative in Parliament at the forthcoming election.” The meeting then concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair and cheers for the candidate. AIR DEL AUTO UR AT BARTLETT’S VERY SUCCESSFUL MEETING Air H. D. De Lautour. the Coalitionist candidate, addressed a gathering at the' Y.M.C.A. Hall at Bartlett’s last evening. The hall was comfortably filled. Air T. O’Donnell was vofilrl 'ftfc* the chair. The candidate quickly had tlio meeting with him and held his audience interested throughout. The intimate knowledge of working men. their work and their difficulties, displayed by the speaker, appealed to Iris hearers. Air De Lautour made clear his position with regard to the local raiiwav aWd gave hist decided opinion, backed by reasons, that the NapierGisborne lino would be completed. He certainly would work energetically and diplomatically to that end. The candidate dealt with various aspects of modern conditions, as affecting worker and employer alike. Ho would not humbug them with wild promises of what he would do for them but assured his hearers of his genuine interest in their welfare.

To an interjection that Air Coleman would do certain things for them, the candidate retorted thut the Labor candidate would not get tho chance, as lie (Air De Lautour) would ’be elected. Tliis rejoinder was greeted with rounds of applause Answering a question. Air Do Lautqur said that he was absolutely opposed to tlie imposition of the graduated land tax. It was wrong in principle to-day, as it was - not based on ability to pay and was, in a great many cases, the direct cause of unemployment. The only • fair tax for farmers was on income. He pointed out that, when the graduated tax was originally, introduced, tho aim was to force the •breaking up of large estates, and. for a time, it did good work. But now that thousands of properties were being offered to the Government at under Government valuation, the country liad no further use for the tax. X vote of thanks to tho candidate, moved by Air Burtbleson, and seconded 1 i"v Air. Tutcuborg, was carried with acclamation, end a remarkably successful meeting closed with tbo customary vote of thanks to the chair.

AIR LYSNAR: AVHAT IS HE? (To the Editor.) Sir,—As one who intends to vote on December 2, might I. ask Air Lysnar to enlighten me qu one or two points on which I am rather puzzled. Air Lysnar announces himself as an Independent Coalitionist. Will lie please explain tho difference between an Independent Coalitionist and ail Independent? If he is returned for the seat what will bo his position in the House? Can lie attend the Coalition caucus or not? Surely lie must know thut! If bo cannot do so, then lie is an Independent straight out. Air De Lautour has stated that, if ‘returned, he will support the Coalition party loyally and Air Coleman is a straight-out supporter of Labor. One admires the mail who has tlio courage of Ins political convictions, no matter what they are, but a jellyfish attitude usually meets with its duo deserts. Air Lysnar is apparently not a straiglvtout Coalitionist, nor a straightout Laborite. There are only two main parties in the House, and neither will own him. I, put it to Mr Lysnar that the Coalitionist “tag”' he so generously applies to himself was merely an afterthought, perhaps prompted by tho hope ot support from tho remnants of tho United party. Awaiting an answer with interest. —I am, Y'ours etc., UNCONVINCED ELECTION MEETINGS Mi*. H. D. Do Lautour (Coalition candidate will address the at Muriwai tonight; at Alauutuko on Saturday niskt and at Wairoa on Monday might, Air W. D. Lysnar (Independent Coalition) speaks at tho City Hall tonight, Christenson’s Hall, at Waingako on Saturday night; Clyde, Wairoa *on Monday evening and at Unity Hall, Nuhuka, on Tuesday evening. Mr. D. IV. Coleman (Labor) speaks at tho Alakaraka-Alatawhero Hall tonight.

GISBORNE SEAT. THREE CANDIDATES NOMINATED. Though the official date for receiving nominations for the Gisborne seat does not close until noon today, the three candidates have been already nominated, the details being as follows: — Harry Douglas Dc Lautour (Coalitionist). Nominators —Ethel Louisa Hill, Arthur Sawyer, Herbert ■ F'rank Robb. William Douglas Lysnar (,Independent Coalitionist). Nominators* — Evangeline Clara Taylor. Harriet Charlotte Goflo, Elizabeth Newton, John Kinder, George Smith, "Ternon Cuthbert d’edesdale Milford. David William Coleman' (Labor;. Nominators.—Janies Perry, Slanolev Vivian Beaufov, Gaius Robert Arnold Whiting. John Henry Hall, John Alfred Hudson, Lionel Joseph Houlahan. LABOR LEADER’S TOUR SPEAKS AT GISBORNE ON 28th. (Breßs Association.. WELLINGTON, Nov. 23.. • The Leader of the Labor party in his North Island tour, speaks at Levin, Foxton, and Palmerston North on November 23. New Plymouth. Nov, 24, Auckland Nov. 25, Hamilton Nov. 26, Okura Nov. 27, Rotorua Nov, 28, Gisborne Nov. 30, and Hastings ou December 1, returning to Wellington on Dec. 2. WESTLAND SEAT. GREYAIOUTH, Nov. 19. All*. Jamas O’Brien, Labor, the sitting member, has been nominated for the Westland seat.—P.A AIR. STALLWORTHY HECKLED. EX-AIINISTER HINTS AT BOXING EXPERIENCE. (Press AssociationAUOKLAND, Nov. 19. Probably the largest meeting to date in the election campaign was ono addressed by Air.. A. J. Stallworthy in Eden last night. The hall and its approaches were packed wUli over 1200 people, and hundreds were turned away. The former Aliuister had to contend throughout with a noisy section of th e audience, which began by counting out the chairman for reading letters oil the subject of Alt. Eden drainage. One interjector inquired why Air. Stallworthy had been chucked out ol the .Ministry. “I have never been thrown out in my life.” he replied: “not even out of the boxing ring, in which I can use mvself pretty freely.” After this the audience was quieter for 10 minutes. His statement: “There are some people in this coun-

try ivlio will never be able to repay me for what 1 have dune, was warmly applauded. A vote of confidence was put. but was drowned by a noisy section.

OROUA SKAT. REFORM HELPING COALITIONEXITED CANDIDATE. (Press Association.', T'EILDLNG, Nov. r.t. Mr. Cotibe (Coalition) lias lwvm nominated. 110 is receiving support from tho Orona llelorm League, which has decided, by resolution, *•« honor the Coalition pact. LABOR LEADER AT OAMARU. VIOLENT ATTACK ON AIR. DA\ Y (Press Association. t OAMARC, Nov. it). Mr. Holland, Labor leader, addressed the electors at Waitaki hydro works this afternoon, wher o lie received an enthusiastic reception and a vote of thanks. To-night he addressed a large audience _at the Opera House, Air. J. AI. Torrester (the Alavor), presiding. Also on tho platform' was Air. Aialthus, the local Labor candidate. The meeting hue added interest by reason ol the fact that this was the first occasion upon which Labor has contested the. Oamaru seat. Air. Holland dealt with the details oi tin- Labor policy and outlined tho events leading up to the formation oi Coalition. Referring to Air. Davy, the Reform organiser. Air. Holland said that, in 192-0, he issued a _ poetical pamphlet in which lie vilified iliy Labor Party and eulogised Air. Coates. Air. Davy was then instru mental in terming an organisation behind Sir Joseph Min'd. He then issued a further pamphlet which attacked Air. Coates and eulogised Sn Joseph Ward. Ho was flow with the Coalition.

Speaking on the wheat question, Air. Holland said that the Labor Parly would not let any industry in the Dominion be injured from outside. Fifty thousand people were dependent upon wheat production toi a living. In some parts of New Zealand it was true the price of bread was abnormally high. He had gone into the question of high-priced bread, but could not, find that the wheat farmer got the benefit of the high price. Labor would investigate ifio production of wheat and of flout and would look into the operation.) of tho wheat industry generally. (HR ISTCIIURCH SEATS. SEVERAL MEETINGS HELD. (Press Association.; CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 19. Air. Henry Holland, Coalitionist candidate for Christchurch North, opened his campaign to-night. lie supported the Government financial jiolicy and said regarding education that In- considered the cost of administration excessive and believed it could be cut down considerably without impairing efficiency. An increase in Customs duties and in income tax wss preferable to a reduction of rates of interest. Tie was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. Air. H. R. Young, Coalition candidate for Avon, addressed the firstmeeting of his campaign to-niglil. He discussed the reasons for the Coalition, stressing tbryt a strong Government would meet the situation of extreme difficulty. He favored closer seM lenient and an improvement in second-class land and an investigation into undeveloped industries. Air. C. S. .McCully, Coalition candidale for Christchurch South, said the finances of the country were precarious that only by electing a strong Coalition Government could the people hope to have them stabilised. He advocated trade within the Empire, a reduction of purchass of unessential* from America and favored development of secondary industries a vote of thanks. Air. F. AV. Feeman. Coalition candidate for Lyttelton, spoke to-night at Cashmere. Ho said that never before had Now Zealand been in greater need of a sound and prodent administration. Tbe reduction of unessentials from America and sidered by Governments of the future. It was bis opinion that tho Arbitration Act sFiouhl be amended fo remove vexatious and hampering restrictions in awards and to enable more men to be employed. A vote of thanks and confidence was extended.

LABOR HECKLERS SPOIL TWO AUCKLAND MEETINGS Asaomu<»i..i AUCKLAND. Nov. 10. Faced with continual interjections from a hostile crowd which packed the Foresters' Hall at Onehun*a tonight, Mr, S. Rickard, Coalition candidate for Manukau, was prevented from delivering an address and tho meeting was closed by tho chairman, the Mayor of Onebunga, after three quarters of an hour of Uproar and disorder. A party of police who were sent to the meeting from tho Auckland city station, escorted Mr. Rickard to his motor-car, when it was finally decided that it was useless to proceed with tho meeting. At 8 o’clock tho hail, which has accommodation for about SOO, was filled with a crowd estimated at over 1200, of this number there was a large proportion which began organised interruptions as soon as the proceedings wero opened. When the Mayor and Mr. Rickard took tho platform, there was a loud uproar from the rear of the hall. In a moment of quietness, the Mayor addressed tho meeting and asked for a fair hearing for the candidate. A man in the hall demanded that tho meeting should bo discontinued, owing to the overcrowding of the hall. The "Mayor replied that ther e was ample room. Then the candidate rose and was greeted with prolonged boohing and he was unable to speak.

After two and a half hours’ struggle between the candidate on the one 6ide and. Labour Party and Communist hecklers on the other, the meeting was addressed by Mr- A. J. Stallworthy, Coalition candidate for Eden, and slosed in an uproar and with cheers for the Labour party. Another rowdy meeting was that held at Ponsonby by H. R. MacKenzie, the United candidate for Auckland West. Interruptions were frequent, and, at times, tho chairman had the greatest difficulty in restoring order. Attempts to make a connected speech were rendered impossible by the noise. The meeting closed with cheers for tho Labour candidate.