MANY'ARE SORRY NOW, MR HAMILTON SAYS

Northern Advocate, 25 March 1937, Page 7

MANY'ARE SORRY NOW, MR HAMILTON SAYS

[Special to “Northern Advocate .*'l WELLINGTON, This Day.

Many people, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition, found during his northern tour, were now surprised and perhaps sorry at the result of the last general election. Dairy farmers, he found, were particularly dissatisfied with the application of the Labour Party’s election promise regarding the guaranteed price. In an interview yesterday, Mr Hamilton said that the fixed price might, or might not turn out to the farmer’s advantage, but it was clear at present that .any apparent gain would be more than balanced out by the known loss to the dairy farmer because of his increased farming costs and the difficulty of finding farm labour. Last session, he said the Government fixed a wage of 10/- a day for farm labourers, but it also made provision for the payment, of £1 a day for labourers on Public; Works. The farmer found it difficult to understand the reason tor such u disparity. • Referring :o native affairs in Northland, Mr. Hamilton said it would be interesting to see the. effect of the present Government’s treatment of the Maori race. Some concern had already been shewn over the somewhat disturbing effects of the Government’s policy iii w respect of Maori unempUyn ent.