WAITEMATA SEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23994, 18 June 1941, Page 9

WAITEMATA SEAT

DEMOCRATIC LABOUR OUTLINE OF POLICY The policy on which the Democratic Labour Party will contest the W aiteniata by-election was briefly outlined by the Hon. W. K. Barnard. Speaker of the House of Representatives, at Birkenhead last night, when the first of a series of preliminary meetings to form local campaign committees was held. Mr. L. Wheatlev presided over an attendance of about 30. 'lhe party s candidate, Mr. N. Douglas, and Mr. B. Beckerleg also addressed the meeting. "Our party is opposed to Nazism and Fascism in any form and is solidly behind the country's effort to defeat them," said Mr. Barnard. "We are just as much opposed to tho Fascism that we see in our own country. The sending of men overseas must be balanced by the needs of the economic structure of New Zealand. The men who go away to fight must bo fully equipped to meet the enemy 011 equal terms. "We stand for the full control of currency and credit by the people of the country. That was promised you bv the Labour Party and it was because it failed to carry that out that Mr. Lee and I broke with it and the Democratic Labour Party came into being. We are against the standstill policy in wage levels adopted by the Government. Prices are still rising." While he blamed the British Medical Association for the stalemate in regard to the medical benefits scheme, Mr. Barnard said he also blamed the Government for not putting its policy into effect. "The Government has left youto find a doctor if you can catch one," he said. "We believe in a State medical service that will give better results. "The issues of this by-election are tremendously important and will concern everyone in the country." added Mr. Barnard. "The eyes of New Zealand will be on Waitemata and we welcome the opportunity of having a straight contest with official Labour. I look upon the recent municipal election results as a sign of the revolt of the people against Trades Hall domination and hoss tyranny."

GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE SELECTION NOT YET MADE No action has so far been taken by tho Labour Party to select a candidate for the Waitemata by-election. The national secretary, Mr. M. Moohan, stated yesterday that the matter would be considered by the Waitemata Labour Representation Committee and the National Executive at an early date. It, was stated by a well-informed authority last night that it was unlikely the election would be held until the end of July.

POSITION IN RAGLAN LABOUR TO HOLD BALLOT , (0.C.) HUNTLY, Tuesday At the monthly meeting of the Raglan Labour Representation Committee it was reported that the selection ballot for a candidate for the Raglan seat, owing to the retirement of the Hon. W. Lee Martin, M.P., was in progress in the electorate, and it was decided to proceed with the ballotin the Huntly district,. There are three candidates lor the seat, Messrs. R. Coulter, of To Aroha, G. Rodgers, of Pokeno, and lv Piggott, of Tuakau.