"RAIL SITTERS"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 November 1928, Page 10

"RAIL SITTERS"

MR ATMORE'S POSITION UNDER REVIEW

ADDRESS TO ELECTORS

MR McINERNEY AT THE WOOD

An address on tho three-party gvsteni and Continuance was given by Mr Mclneruey in Garage, Halifax street, on Saturday night. Mr Colin Campbell was elected chairman. .Mr Midiieniey said that lie wished to deal with the three-party system and the liquor question from the Continuance point of view. lie then criticised the attitude which he said was common to far too many voting people to-day--

an attitude which consisted of eontiniiiillv finding fault with evei vlhing except Ihe I'aull-finder's own self. There were too many people these days who would go to pictures or indulge in some other amusement rather than meet to gether to discuss political questions and undertake: their share in the government of the country.

There were, said the speaker, three parties in (.he Now Zealand political arena at present. In Australia after 30 years the position had been finalised to two parlies—Nationalist and Labour. There you were either for the Government or against it, and any pretence, of liberal or independent form of action — rail-sitting—had been set aside. In Queensland, for instance, there was a Labour Government in power with a strong Nationalist opposition and tho result was that legislation was watched with jealous care. There were no halfway measures and no independents. TRIBUTE TO MI? COATES

Turning to the position in New Zealand (he speaker dealt with ouch party in turn, _ beginning with the Reform Party, which, he said, bad been branded as an out-and-out Tory organisation. The speaker paid a tribute to Mr Coates personally for what he had done to improve the living and working conditions of the men employed on railway construction works. When the speaker first went to a railway camp up North he found men, women and children working under conditions that were a disgrace to civilised humanity. Tho speaker as sponsor for the men' wrote to Mr Coates, who was then a private member of Parliament. As the result of Mr Coates's efforts, huts were built, floors provided for tents, the hours on certain classes of work altered and the conditions generally made comfortable and healthy. "For the conditions that were the outcome of that agitation," said Mr Mclneruey, "we have to thank the man who is the present Prime Minister." Amongst the requests made at that time, by the speaker was one for halls and educational and recreation purposes. They were duly provided and Mr Mclneruey expressed regret at the very little use that was made of them for educational purposes. The rank and file of tho men were always ready to patronise, amusements, but took no interest in other things. Another splendid scheme of which advantage was not taken was an arrangement for periodic conferences between check inspectors (elected by the men) and the engineers. No conferences were held. "As far as we railway servants are concerned," said Mr Melnerney, "we are to blame for not doing our share."

THE LABOUR PARTY OPPOSED TO RAIL-SITTING

The Labour Party was then referred to by Mr Mclnerney and lie described the leader, Mr 11. Holland, as one of the most brilliant and able men in polities to-day. Associated with him were a fine team of men representing various industries. They formed a strong, healthy Opposition. When Mr Holland said that there was no place for the rail-sitter in politics, the speaker believed he meant it. Mr Holland would rather see a representative of the Reform Party get in than a ''rail-sitter." THE "BENIGHTED" PARTY "I call it the 'Benighted' Party," said Mr Mclnernev in reference to Sir Joseph Ward and his followers. lie was sorry that he had to criticise Sir Joseph Ward in his present state of health and he wished his audience to remember that he was dealing with Sir Joseph Ward as a politician. When Richard Seddou died Sir Joseph Ward succeeded him and led the groat Liberal Party to destruction. The speaker referred briefly to "Bill Veitch, ex-engine-driver, Nationalist, Labourite and every other 'ite' " ; Mr G. W. Forbes, another past leader of the National Party and "old Tom Wilford

. . ~ cue of the most amusing characters in politics." Now they found the party coming together as the United Party while Sir Joseph Ward was in the Old 'Country.

The only important plank in the platform of the United J'artv was the proposal (o borrow £70,000,000, and the speaker referred his audience to "Hansard," where they could read Sir Joseph's remarks'in the House last year when he condemned Mr Downie Stewart and the Prime Minister for ruthless and outrageous borrowing. The most extraordinary thing about the £70,000,000 Joan was (hut it was never mentioned 1 at the United Parly Conference. After statins that different United Party candidates were giving pledges in some cases in opposition to and in others in sympathy with the Labour Party the speaker added: "And this is .what they call ;i United Party !" The United Party had come before the electors with a marvellous proposition and many of the workers had token the bait. Sir Joseph Ward was going to complete Incw Zealand's railways, he was going to complete the line from Nelson to the West Coast and yet- the lowest rate of wages to railway workers and the worst conditions known in New Zealand were handed down by Sir Joseph to (he young colonial Prime Minister. The highest rotes of all had been paid under the present Cove ni merit.

The OliiJi tunnel construction was I hen referred In by the speaker. McLean Bros, undertook the construction of the Olira tunnel and about 30.000 men passed through their hands. Tin 1 conditions were such that no decent underground worker would stop on (he job. At (he death of Seddon, Ward continued in his place. McLean Bros. dropped the tunnel job. Under ordinary circumstances they would have lost (heir deposit, hut (he Public Works I)o----i.ai Uncut took over their plant and rolling sloe!; and (he linn was able lo pay ;i dividend out of what would have been a loss under (lie more business like present regime. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

Mr Mrlnrrnry said there was n grc.il deal .of feeling in (he South island that they were being treated unfairly, but when !.!i ■ position wis analysed it would be found thai (lie South' Island was ahead of (he North Island in mileage of line in each. Wherever railways were being built ai the present time they could justify (heir existence for they were opening up some of the finest land in New Zealand lor productive purposes. 'I he local "lill the gap agitation was dealt uilh bv li.e speaker, who described

tho country from Knwatii'i to Murehison as ono of tho "hungriest" parts of Now Zealand and rather than settle it people should be given a few hundred pounds to begin iu a more promising district. The speaker referred to rail and road competition and said the problem was one which was facing all governments where modern transport had been adopted. He thought the authorities would be well advised (o leave railway construction meanwhile until the (trend of the motor competition was ascertained. MR ATMOBE AND TEARINGDOWN';

Mr Almore next received attention at the hands of the. speaker. "You have in Nelson," he. said, "one mighty man with a splendid, trained intellect, a superstructure of his own milking—.Mr Almore.'' Mr Almore did not belong to any party. There was, however, one party' he laid a great fascination for. The speaker had seen Mr Almore thrash Mr Holland and Mi' 1-Vaser most extravaganlly; "Mussolini has got nothing on him,' said Mr Melnerney, referring to Hie first time ho heard Air 'Umore speak. ()■! that occasion he lore Mr Massey to pieces and .Mr Melnerney remembered interjecting and saying that he went there under 'he hnpiessiou that he was going to get an intellectual treat and that he regretted iie had got nothing but abuse—abuse of Hie worst kind. "We still find him iu that tearingdown altitude," continued the speaker. In a letter in yesterday's "Mail" he says: "All thai was good In the Reform Party died with Massey." Here Mr Melnerney made icalhing refeience lo Mr Almore and his attitude to Mi Massey ami Mr Massey \s memory. ilr Atmorc, continued the speaker, was bitterly opposed to socialism, vet he stated on the platform that if the Onakaka iron works could not be made to pay by a private company, he was prepared to call on the Government to take them over as a State concern. Mr Almore. had found fault with the Government, for what he described as socialistic legislation—control of butter, fruit, kauri gum, etc. ft had to be remembered that South America with her cheap labour, vast acreages and no Arbitration Act was competing wi\h Nov/ Zealand in the markets of the world. Mr Massey said thai the Dominion could compete hi the world's markets by national co-operation or in other words, by control. 'the speaker had reason to believe, that if the machinery was placed thcro and taken full advantage of by all the. people affected then it would j.iove of the greatest value. Mr Atmorc said that socialism was no good, but when it was a question of something ot benefit to the district then he was prepared to become a socialist. Although Mr Atmorc had strongly criticised the Leader of the United Party he was now piepared to join the party and even to take Cabinet rank in it. LICENSING ISSUE

Mr Melnerney went on to deal witii the drink question and he quoted an opinion, expressed by tho "Christian Science Monitor." that the example of the United States showed that it was impossible to enforce prohibition. But it was not necessary to go to the United States for an example, of tho fallacy of prohibition. Mr Mclneruey said that the no-license conditions in the King Country had led lo drinking among women and to young men taking methylated spirits. He referred to the low criminal record of Nelson and the West Coast, both license districts. New Zealand was a country where alcohol was not prohibited, yet held a pre-eminent place amongst the countries of the world.

Air Melnerney concluded his address by reminding his audience once again that before they started to tear things down they should be prepared to replace them by something better. It was easy to destroy, but more difficult to construct.

A few questions were asked by members of the audience, after which a vote of thanks to the speaker was carried by declamation.

(Extended Report Published by Arrangement.)