THE LABOUR CANDIDATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20882, 26 May 1931, Page 11

THE LABOUR CANDIDATE

FARMERS' DIFFICULTIES. PLAN FOR ASSISTANCE. MR. PETRIE AT PAKURANGA. The recent, challenge made by the Minister of Labour, lion. S. G. Smith, to members of his audience of railwaymen at Otahuhu to produce a copy of the bal-ance-sheet of tho Waterside Workers Federation within a certain time was referred to by Mr. C. R. Petrie, Labour can didate in the Hauraki by-election, in the course of an address at Pakuranga last evening. Mr. Petrie said that in spite of the inference to bo drawn from the challenge lie had received a copy signed by a fully-qualified accountant. Mr. Petrie referred to (ho inability of many farmers to meet their int.eicst charges and said that unless some action was taken by the Government for at least temporary adjustment of these charges, many farmers would be driven off the land and production would be re duced. During the recent session of Parliament the Labour Tarty in the House had moved for a. provisional moratorium pending the investigation of each case by a tribunal, which would be representative of the interests involved and presided over bv a Supreme Court Judge. The proposal also provided that the Minister of Finance should be satisfied before any adjustment was made, but a combination of Reform and United Patties brought about the defeat of the proposal. It was true that the Government subsequently passed the Mortgagors Relief Act, but that measure placed the onus and expense of moving the Supreme Court on the mortgagor, who was already in difficulties, and he would have to get legal assistance, for which ho was unable to pay.

Labour's proposal was for district boards to be set up for the purpose of making complete investigation and, if necessary, making such adjustments as would lie agreed to by the Minister of Finance. These adjustments, said Mr. Petrie, might b P made subject to readjustment in the event of prices lising. These district boards would be easy of access and would be more likely to bring expert knowledge to bear on the possibilities of the land in question.

" During his recent address at Howick, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates stated that although the. Rural Intermediate Credit Board was finding a certain amount of money for the supply of fertilisers it was necessary to go farther," Mr. Fetrie said. " I heartily endorse those sentiments, but why did not Mr. Coates vote in favour of having that done when the Labour Party moved it ill the House?" Mr. Coates was also reported as having expressed his opposition to increased charges on the railways, Mr. Petrie continued. Here again it would be interesting to know why lie moved against the Labour Party's motion on the Royal Commission's report which' was discussed on October 21, 1930. Instead of assisting to have the recommendation placed on record, Mr. Coates moved an amendment which meant cutting out all reference to freights and fares. Mr. Petrie also addressed a meeting of electors a*. Buckland's Beach and hearty votes of thanks were passed in each case. Other meetings were addressed at the municipal abbatoirs by Mr. P. 1 laser, M.P. ; Beachlands and Maraetai, by Mr. W. J- Jordan, M.P.; Clevedon, by Messrs. W. Nash and W. E. Parry, M.P.'s; and Mangere. by Messrs. F. Eraser and H. G. R. Mason, M.P.'s.

PARTY CAMPAIGNS.

FINAL ADDRESSES TO-NIGHT.

Party leaders and candidates will be particularly busy in the liauraki electorate to-day and final addresses will be given in the most important centres this evening.

The Government candidate has had assistance trorn the Prime Minister and several Cabinet Ministers. The Hon. S. <;. Smith. Minister of Labour, and the Hon. E. A. Hansom, Minister of Lands, will give further addresses this evening. The lit. Hon. J. G. (.'nates, Leader of the Opposition, and Messrs. J. A. tt. A. Wright and F. Waite. M.P.'s, will be heard in support of the Reform candidate. The Labour nominee will have the assistance of the party leader. Mr. IT. E. Ho'land. Messrs. W. Lee Martin, W. .1. Jordan, M. J. Savage, \V. Nash, P. Eraser. \V. E. Parry ;'iid 11. G. R. Mason. M.P.'s. The Country Party candidate "''l have the support of Mr. II M. Riishworth, M.P.. and several party members.