NATIONAL PARTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32310, 8 September 1943, Page 8

NATIONAL PARTY

ADDRESS BY MR W. CLARK GOOD MEETING AT PURIRI OUTLINE OF POLICY GIVEN There was a good attendance at the political meeting addressed by Mr W. A. Clark, National 'Party candidate for Thames at iPuriri last week, the speaker being accorded an attentive hearing. The chairman, Mr Courteney, in introducing Mr W. A. Clark, spoke of his high qualities both as a citizen and in public life also of his wide knowledge of commercial and local body affairs.

Mr Clark opened his address by saying he was honoured to be representing the National Party at this election and that he was doing it for the good of the community. He did not have a future to provide for or any political ambition but thought it his duty to make his services available for the betterment of the country.

Continuing, Mr Clark said that in his opinion an election should not have been held at this stage, a National Government uniting all parties to win the war, should have been formed, but as the Government was dominated by the Trades Hall there was no other option but to hold an election. People were not satisfied with conditions today. The different parties that are in the field prove that a change is wanted.

Mr Clark expressed the opinion that one would have thought that when the Labour Party got into power that there would have been industrial peace among the workers but as the strikes have increased by two-thirds it showed definitely that the workers were dissatisfiedl

The speaker then outlined the policy of the party including the land policy. He also explained the Lands Service Bill recently passed in the House, stating that in his opinion the Government had been forced to make it law by the Trades Hall. He explained that after October 18, 1943, a person could not sell, lease or deal in any way with property without permission from the State.

Mr Clark quoted a case of two people who agreed to sell a farm for £5OOO and the 'Government valued same at £4OOO. The owner of the farm would have no redress should the Government decide to take it. He said the only reason he could think of for the bill was to cut out the right of freehold and the Government to become the sole agent for all property. Mr Clark then spoke of the class distinction which had been forced upon the people by the Government. He emphasised that when a speaker in the House made enquiries about any labourers the cry was “Why don’t you leave the worker alone.” This attitude taken by the Government was entirely wrong as these questions were asked only with the welfare of the workers at heart. After all, all are workers, each in their own little sphere.

The speaker said that the fundamental principles of the National Party policy were freedom and justice for all with as little interference from the State as possible and to give them a living wage so they might own their own homes and businesses instead of paying rent for ever. Taxation benefits would be given to all small wage earners. Then a graduated tax as per income and size of family also bigger allowances will be allowed for dependents on income tax!?

■Speaking on unionism, M r Clark said the party’s policy was to let any ■organisation so desiring compulsory unionism to be decided by a majority vote taken by secret ballot. Mr Clark then came to the main problem now confronting everyone, viz., the rehabilitation of the soldiers coming home. The present Government, he said, had done very little in this way and the National Party’s policy was to place them on farms and in industry with homes provided.

One great difficulty was the power situation as it stands to-day. The short-sighted policy of the present Government had made no provision for the- increase of consumption that has taken place in recent years.

Touching on primary production the speaker said a guaranteed minimum price would be paid' while the control of the industry would be in the hands of the producer. Hospital rating would he overhauled as now a lot of injustice was taking ,nlace ;

'Benefits for the family mother would be given by making available to them the necessities of a home such as;, labour-savers free of duty and tax. Mr Clark also spoke on the disastrous state of affairs regarding the (Continued in previous column)

liquor trade as it stands to-day. The National Party proposed 1 to set up a commission of responsible persons to overhaul the laws throughout. In conclusion Mr Clark appealed to ‘everyone to get behind the National ■Party so that they could make the freedom and better conditions which the boys are now fighting for and that those that come home would enjoy the freedom for which they have so nobly offered their all to obtain. After many questions had been answered to the satisfaction of the audience, Mr Julian moved a vote of thanks to Mr Clark for his enlightening address. This was seconded by Mr Kelly and carried unanimously.