THE COALITION GOVERNMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21723, 15 August 1932, Page 8

THE COALITION GOVERNMENT

LABOUR MEMBER’S CRITICISM (Pee United Press Association.) CARTERTON, August 13. Mr Peter Fraser, M.P., addressed a good meeting at Carterton last night. He attacked the Government strongly for the way in which it had handled the unemployment problem. He said that the policy of land settlement and; small farms was futile, and blamed the immigration policy of previous Governments as the cause of the present conditions in the country. He condemned the Government for its inability to control the financial situation, and stated that taxation must stop. , The education costs had been pared so thinly that they were now under the minimum. Mr Fraser strongly criticised the pensions cuts, and the alleged railway blunders of present; and previous governments. He advocated a planned production of primary products and the promotion of reciprocal trade with Britain and other countries, together with the organisation of contracts providing for the sale of Dominion products overseas. Land settlement, he said, was important, and he suggested development by means of fertilisers purchased by the farmers on long credit. He urged the construction of roads, and Government encouragement and assistance of all industries, a reduction of rents and taxes, the establishment of the State Bank, and the reorganisation of the banking system and credit resources. , Mr Fraser was accorded a vote ot thanks.

Two members of a mystic sect called “The Innocents” were killed recently, near Petrunia, Bessaria, by police who raided a secret ceremony in a cavern used for many years as a temple. In the eerie light of torches 100 nude celebrants gave battle to the gendarmes, whom _ they greatly outnumbered. They were winning when the police resorted to their pistols. Two of the Innocents were fatally wounded, and 20 others were arrested. The rest fled.