LABOUR LEADER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 163, 25 June 1928, Page 6

LABOUR LEADER

MR HOLLAND AT GISBORNE. GOVERNMENT ATTACKED. Gisborne, June 24. Mr 11. E. Holland, leader of the Opposition. addressed a large gathering last night, largely on the lines of previous addresses. The speaker explained Labour’ policy at length. Ko attacked the Reform party on freehold, and also stated that Reform, instead of legislating to provide finance and credit for farmers and producers have made taxation concessions claimed to assist the farmer, but tic speaker challenged any working farmer to show profits from benefits or con cessions he had received. The Government was attacked on the price paid for land for soldier settlers, and when prices fell the men had to walk off the sections. Then the Government made reductions >n value. He claimed it would have boon better to give the original settlers the benefit of ttio reductions. After criticising land aggregutioa and the settlement of timbered areas, the speaker dealt with unemployment, claiming that the Government had no need to resort to relief work. but. should prosecute vigorous public works, such as railway and roads, which would absorb every man able to work, at a standard rate of pay. The speaker twitted the Tories with voting against old age pensions, and said the measure would never have been provided but for the Liberal — Labour forces headed Dy Seddon. Reform had squealed at the prospect of increasing old age pensions, but voted a million pounds for the Singapore base, which would be obsolete long before completion. The speaker concluded by criticising the Samoan Mandate on the lines of former speeches. During the evening Mr Holland announced that the Mayor Mr W. D. Coleman, would be the official Labour candidate for Gisborne at the coming election. Mr Holland was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence,