MR GILBERT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 29 October 1925, Page 5

MR GILBERT

TIIK OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT

CANDIDATE The chairman of the Nelson Reform League (Hr T. Neale) has received the following telegram from the Prime -Minister (lion. .1. G. Coates): "1 have pleasure in advising you that -Mr Gilbert is tlie approved Government candidate for Nelson at the forthcoming election, and 1 wish him every success. .MR GILREIITS CANDIDATURE -MEETING AT 11A.MPDEN-STREET (Communicated). Addressing a meeting of electors at liamuden-street last- evening, Mr A. Gilbert, the Coates candidate, referred to tin: statements being made in he si reel to- the effect that there was eollufjdn beween himself and the Labour Party, and suggesting that lie was receiving monetary assistance from them, i his. -Mr Gilbert hotly resented. These were mean tactics, they were not fair, and certainly not good cricket. .Similar statements liad been made against the Bishop of Nelson and his colleagues on the Cawtliron Trustee Board, they had been slandered and maligned aim accused of "plundering the unvfnrou puist.'' When a lawyer has a weak case he usually abused the other side, but. we must raise out public me to a higher level; the hurling of insults, abuse and malicious and untrue statements is certainly degrading, and serves no good purpose. What, is reunited is round, honest, and constructive criticism. with a due regard for the opinions and motives of our fellow men.

.Mr Gilbert- said the rumours of —-e danger of ‘'Labour slipping in" here is only a bogey. Th 0 Labour l’arty only scored a little over 1000 votes when • uey contested the Nelson seat. Air -ti/nore stiid at his Wakapuaka meeting that, "there are very few Socialists and Communists in Nelson," 'and in another report lie said, "New Zealand labour is not, socialistically inclined." ills .- tali monts m tins connection are true, there are very few Socialists in .Nelson, and Air Atmore knew that the ‘ighl was not between himself and the t'ocialists, lmt between liimself as the '-’urbe.s candidate and Air Gilbert as the Coates candidate. It was an absolute fallacy to claim that a vote east lor Air -Atmore was a vote cast for Forbes and Coates. .Mr Coates and Air AlcLeod had both made it very clear that such was not- the case, and that those who wished to vote for Coates must stand loyally to the Contes candidate, and

those who wanted Forbes must vote tor ilie Forbes candidate. No member could serve two leaders and Mr Coates has said ' lie who is not with me is against-me." The principal leaders of the Nationalist l'.triv were publicly declaring that uiey will vote tiif. Coalcs Government out of power. The Nationalists had their own policy and principles, which would not be subordinated to any other purpose whatever. Nlr Gilbert emphasised the fact that he was straight-out for Mr Coates, who was certainly the most c.’Vjii/ole leader n sight ,atul would stand loyally to him in all no-confidence motions, but at the same time would he by no means a "dumb follower’’ as had been sug-

posted. Lord Salisbury, one of the greatest IVinq. Ministers England had produced, speaking of Independent ■lumbers, said "Independent members ar e members nobody can depend upon.'* If elected bis first car would be tlio interests of the Nelson district, and tie would use his utmost endeavours in *-*ie direction of assisting our primary . ««d secondary industries .and helping our people along the ronct to progress and prosperity. After referring to several matters of vital importance to Nelson and New Zealand generally, Mr Gilbert concluded by urging the electors to do their utmost to return hint on election day. thereby strengthening the Louies Government-, whose policy is sound and prudent conduct of the public business with equal opportunity and . fair spin for all.

On the motion of Mr K. S. Farmer, seconded by Mr McConchie, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Gilbert for his explicit address, in which lie had dealt thoroughly with the main political questons of the day. The resolution was carried unanimously. The meeting terminated with a similar vote to Mr dames Wigzell for presiding, Mr Gilbert will address the electors at Brook Street School to-night-, at • 8 o'clock; Spring Grove School, to-mor-row, Friday, at 8 o’clock; Appleby School, Saturday, 7 o'clock; Waimea West School, Saturday, 8.15. . t

MR BRTXDLE'S C ANDIDATURE

BROOK STREET MEETING

(Communicated.) .Mr Briiidle. the Labour candidate, addressed a large audience in the Brook Stieet school last night. Mr \V. Logan was voted to the chair. Mr Brindle referred to the statement made bv Mr Gilbert that the Labour platform was impracticable and. ideal- r islie. .Reform supporters were on very thin ice when they talked iii this way,; especially when the public knew all " about the impossible prices.that the Government paid for land to provide farnis for soldiers These men when they returned from the war found that it was double the price it was before they went away. Many of them after making desperate efforts to make a living had been compelled to leave their places emptyhanded. So acute had the position become that the Government had to write down the values of these settlements by millions, and whilst doing this they reduced the income tax of those who had been enriched by the original purchase money. He ventured to say that the Labour Party would have been able to give a more practical solution than that. The Labour Government in Great Britain, although short- lived had . shown themselves more capable in many respects than the old political parties that had for decades been alternatively in charge of the government of that country. Although they were a minority government, having only 191 out of 615 members of Parliament, Britain’s first. Labour Government did more in six ' months for the people of Britain mill' the world than the preceding Torv Government with its majority of 7fJ.’ lii six months they removed the danger of war, threatening when they took office, and laid down firm foundations of peace’ and international reconstruction, leading to disarmament. In domestic matters they lesseed the bunion cm the housewife and the wage earner and started’f constructive plans for housing, unemployment and the development of agri-’ culture. So well did they prove their fitness to govern that the old - parties took fright and joined together to defeat Labour before they had a real opportunity to in ove their worthiness. -N'om of the things happened which unscrupulous opponents of Labour are con--tbiliously saying will do, when Labour gets into power in New Zealand. Ho was sure if the people in this country, gave Labour a trial they would never regret it, because its interests were the, pcoiiles. the speaker and chairman were accorded votes of thanks. !

Mr Br indie will speak in Tasman Street school to-night at 8 p.m., and lii tlie schoolroom Waimea West on Friday night at 8 p.m.