LABOUR CANDIDATE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 13858, 17 May 1938, Page 5

LABOUR CANDIDATE.

CLAIMS SILENT VOTE AMONG FARMERS.

During the course of the dance held on Friday evening in aid 0 f the \\oodville queen's carnival effort, the M.C., Mr L. Hurley, introduced to the gathering Air G. A. Hansen, the Labour Party candidate for the Pahiatua seat.

111 response to the applause, Mr Hansen expressed his pleasure at meeting the electors of Woodville. “As you are aware,” he said, “from reading reports of the local body elections, we seem actually to have lost ground in some place’s. This is entirely due to lack of organisation.” He appealed to all electors to strengthen the organisation so that there would not be the possibility of the same thing happening again in six months’ time. “Of course,” he continued, “there is the possibility of defeat, but I personally think that our majority will be bigger than ever. (Applause). In 1898 R. J. Seddon had a wonderful victory and we shall do the same, because in the farming community we have a big silent vote.

“Recently, a Farmers' Union president said that 50 per cent, of lanners at Ballance could not get labour and were complaining that they had to take, their womenfolk into the sheds again. That statement,’ continued Air Hansen, “is absolutely untrue, as L took the trouble to visit the district, but could not place one man. Such utterances are made from time to time because people, in such positions get publicity and tjbeie are those why to be on fche w inning horse. 1 shall'take r every opportunity ot contradicting such, statements,” said Air Hansen. “A lew years ago the young men ditl not have the money to enjoy themselves at dances like this nor had the young ladies money for new frocks. Things will either stop as they are or will get better, and if Labour is returned things will get better and we shall no longer be dictated to by a big financial ring as Tn the past,” he concluded.