PUBLIC WORKS WASTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20080, 18 October 1928, Page 16

PUBLIC WORKS WASTE.

CRITICISM BY MR. MASON.

EFFECT UPON UNEMPLOYMENT

LACK OF LAND POLICY,

A crowded audience at St. Thomas' Hall, New Lynn, heard the opening address last evening of the Labour candidate for Auckland' Suburbs, Mr. 11. G. R Mason, M.P., who, in an attack on the Reform administration, criticised the prosecution of the Rotorua Taupo railway, the postponement of the Morningside deviation, the delay in constructing Arapuni hydro station, and the Government altitude toward unemployment. Mr. W. L. Titchener, chairman of the New Lynn Town Board, presided. Dealing first with unemployment Mr. Mason said three years ago Reform, along with its cry of "Coates and Confidence," had declared the country to be on the eve ot great events, and that unemploy nicut was at a minimum. Quickly, how ever, it bocamo a grave problem, but the Minister of Labour, when deputations waited upon him, had "drawled out" that the responsibility was not tho Gov ornment's out that of the local bodies and othei people. Mr. Coates, although alert and interested in the question, had used up so much zeal in his determina tion to "get things done" that he had none loft to accomplish anything. The situation now was serious enough. Unemployment Insurance. Labour had time and again attacked the Government for taking advantage of unemployment to lower the standard of wages. Apart from that, the inadequacy of payment on relief work was proved by vouchers produced in Parliament showing that in some cases groups of men. aftei working for weeks, had but i. few pence left between them after meeting store accounts and other expenses. Theirs was a mere animal existence, with nothing for their families, and when men refused work under such circumstances they were branded loafers. A Labour bill providing for a form of unemployment insurance, which, although not a remedy, would greatly aid tho distressed. w'jl burked by Reform, whose election manifesto now gave some faint promise ot something of the kind. It was good to see, but the past attitude of the Government had (o be remembered when estimating its worth. How could the Government say it had not contributed toward unemployment when it had recklessly brought to the Dominion shiploads of immigrants without making provision for their employment ? In face of the fact that the Government had no land policy at all for the absorption of immigrants, it was stated in a publication called " Brighter Britain of the South " that there wero large areas of Crown land in New Zealand, subdivided and roaded, and easily acquired, with the aid of liberal advances at low interest rates. Only recently, the Minister of Lands, speaking of ways of increasing prosperity and in reply to an interjection, had alluded to protection for industries—apparently tlw greater question of land development had not occurred to him. ISotorua-Taupo Railway. The Reform nominee for the seat, after a lengthy absence from the Dominion, alluded freely to advances in settlement here, and said he favoured giving away land, but it would assuredly be poor country. Labour aimed at placing men on highly productive, but uncultivated, land, such as that on to which one could toss a biscuit on a Main Trunk journey It could be acquired either by funds from a graduated land tax or by taking it compulsorily. When the available good land had been so settled, it would be time enough to look to the pumice country. Challenging the Government's claim to a policy of " prudent finance," Mr. Mason deprecated the Rotorua-Taupo rail way, saying the Government's estimates were based on interest at '1 per cent., whereas the borrowing rato would lie about 5 per cent., while the out-of-date estimate of running costs per train mile was 10s 2d, whereas to-day it was lis lid. These items alone would add £16,545 to the estimated annual loss on the line, making it £37.600 per annum.

A series of articles in the Hki:.\i,d emphasising the advantages of the line hart shown just how little there was to say for it. At the time of tin; decision to proceed with the .Rotorua-'faupo link, Mr. Coates had been asked was it on that account that the Morninssrde deviation, touching New Lynn, had been postponed, and the Prime .Minister had replied that "it was under further consideration, as questions of policy were involved." Vet so much money could he. spent to try to tiring in land of doubtful value. The official Iloforrn candidate said the deviation was part of his policy, hut was it part of Reform's policy ? "Money-Lenders' Government." In order, apparently, to "save its face," and out of potty vanity, the Government had delayed the Arapuni scheme 13 months before it surrendered in .negotiations with the contractors, meanwhile causing Ihe country great losses through interest on moneys and in the purchase of power liom various sources during the hold-up. "I his is essentially a money-lenders' Government. There has never hceri one so narrow in its outlook," said Mr. Mason when dealing with the Ijigh cost of money and the advantages that would he conferred by a >Slate hank. Much attention was paid by the candidate to transport questions He censured the Government for abetting the Auckland City Council iri contravening Iho spirit of legislation under the twopenny penal fare system, in preventing suburban buses from running right into Iho heart of the city. Nervousness on the part of the City Council had made further legislative improvements iri the transport position difficult, but he believed the Transport Hoard would welcome the inclusion of New Lvnn in its territory, although that would be at the pleasure of the Minister. The ultimate issue, he expected, would be satistaetuiy tu the district. Summer Time Measure. i'hij lie form aspirant for the Suburbs electorate' seat had mentioned a number of things of which he was in favour, but which were not incorporated in the plank of his party. It was the latter that mat tared, for it must not bo forgotten that a member of the House of lleprcsenta tives was but one voice among eighty. "This is a tug electorate J>ii James Parr said the care of it had taken all his strength I have found it hard work, but I have given my.ielf to if, and in competency in dealing with, its affairs and in devotion to the interests of the electors I fear comparison with no man," concluded Mr Mason amid applause. Answering questions he said he always gave his vote, to daylight saving, and termed this year's half hour measure an eleventh hour Reform election move when the Government realised the abolition of summer time was resented by the people. A vote o| thanks and renewed confidence) in the candidate was'carried with 'acclamation.

Earlier i„ the evening Mr. Mason adkiosk a I '"- !Clij ' g at Ul ° Titirangi tea