“INTERESTING STAGE”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16797, 9 November 1928, Page 9

“INTERESTING STAGE”

ELECTION UTTERANCES MR. COLEMAN AT MANGAPAPA That the election campaign was now reaching a most interesting stage, was the comment of the chairman, Mr. J. H. Hall, at Mr. D. W. Coleman’s meeting in St. Mary’s Hall, Mangapapa, last night, when the candidate explained Labor’s platform.

Sofne extraordinary statements, ttie chairman added, would be made, no doubt, for the other platforms, but too much attention should not be taken of such eleventh-hour remarks. Before leaving the platform clear for the candidate, the chairman commented upon the utterances and the attitude of the Prime Minister, saying that Mr. Coates had done more to increase sympathy for the Labor Party than members of the party itself.

There was an attendance of about 50 electors, who gave Mr. Coleman an attentive hearing. There was an almost entire absence of interjections, and what there were of these appeared to be of a friendly character. The electors present were apparently quite content with the candidate’s explanation of Labor’s .aims and aspirations, for not one question was asked at the conclusion of a forceful speech lasting just over two hours, after which Mr. Coleman was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.

“Y r ou were possibly told here the other evening that we were a bloodthirsty, revolutionary crowd,” commented Mr. Coleman, who refuted any such suggestion, saying that the Labor Party was a constitutional party working on constitutional lines. The Labor Party' not only represented industrialists, but all who performed a useful service; not only the man with the bowyangs, but all who performed a useful service by pen, hand or brain. If the- electors were desirous of a change of Government, they must vote for Labor, as the United Party would vote with the Government. “TAKE NO CHANCES.” At this stage the candidate paused in the course of his address to relate the story of a man who married, but found that in doing so he had also “married his mother-in-law.” Some time later when the man was away from home for a short time he received a telegram to the effect that his mother-in-law had died, and included in the message was a query as to what should bo done with her body, whether it should be embalmed, cremated or buried. “Embalm, cremate and bury r ,” were the instructions that were telegraphed back. “He was taking no chances,” commented Mr. Coleman, who advised the electors to take no chances in the coming election with regard to the United Party. “Embalm, cremate and bury it,” the candidate advised.

“The Government lias made a lot of vague promises, which it has failed to fulfil,” Mr. Coleman went on, turning his attention to the Reform Party, as he quoted an unfulfilled promise made in connection with a general survey of unoccupied land. He spoke also of Mr. Lysnar’s defeneo of the Reform Government in the purchase of lands for soldier settlements, Mr. Lysnar saying that the Nationalist Government had made the purchases, and that the parties which composed the Government must share the blame equally. In mentioning that the Nationalist Government was not in office after 1919, Mr. Coleman said that even if it had been the Nationalist Government that was responsible it would suit Labor’s purposes just as well, as there was little difference between the two parties that composed the Nationalist Government. Mr. Lysnar had asked also how Labor would increase the land tax on third class lands, continued Mr, Coleman, who stated that it was not Labor’s intention to tax third class lands, but to tax first and second class lands to induce closer settlement.

MR. LYSNAR AND WORKERS. Attention was also turned to a statement made by the Hon. K. S. Williams, that the Commonwealth Bank was not lending money any , cheaper than other banking institu-, tions. Mr. Coleman agreed that this statement -was correct, but said that while the Labor Party was on the Treasury benches of the Commonwealth the State bank’s rates of interest were lower than others, but, when the Tory Government returned to power this was altered by legislation, so that, in the interests of the financial magnates, the rates charged by the Commonwealth Bank were . uo lower than those of the other banks. Mention was made by the speaker of rates of payment to the working classes, and he said that the present basic wage us set by the Arbitration Court was La 19s pet'week. There, had been an m- ! crease of 62 per cent, in the cost of , living since 1914, when the basic wage was £3 per week. Therefore, the basic wage to-day, should be £4 17s 3d per | week, so that workers now were called j upon to live on just on £1 per week less than under the 1914 standatd. Those ( who. \v;erit to the. war had npvep dreamed that" '-When they returned.. the standard would be so much less. ’’ 'Mr. Coleman then, referred to Mr. , Lysnar’s attitude to the workers, and referred to some of the remarks that the Independent Reform candidate had made in the House. “Every time he speaks of the'working ffian in the House he insults them,” said Mr.- Coleman,, who added that his opponent had even j insulted the women of the Dominion by stating that if prohibition were carried women would be carrying bottles of beer round in their petticoats. Commenting on Labor’s, platform for. the' increase of pensions, Mr. Coleman, suggested ‘ that invalids’ pensions should bo provided for, and that in respect of other pensions there should be a reciprocal agreement with the Imperial Government so that persons who could not qualify under the existing conditions would be able to receive something. THE CANDIDATE CONFIDENT. Reference was then made to a letter appearing in the Herald concerning the candidate's attitude with regard to a booklet describing the possibilities for immigrants in New Zealand. In the booklet, he said there was gross misrepresentation, and as an instance of this lie quoted from it. It stated that Crown land was suitably subdivided and roaded, and always available for intending settlers. “I do not know where it is,” commented the speaker. “When was the booklet published?” asked a member of,the audieneo. “In 1926,” replied Mr. Coleman. “That’s late enough, isn’t it?” Tho booklet also stated, he added, that public school boys would receive .from £b 10s to £2 a week in wages in their first year. “I have not yet met any who are getting those wages,” lie commented’, “but I have some who have received 10s.” Another paragraph referring to profits being shared between the employer and the boys brought forth ' a roar of laughter. “These people are

tricked bv misrepresentation to swell the unemployed market,” added the ajtididate. x . a•. .., . ~, . ‘‘That’s /J’hw; iriim f whp. says' we_-’arp against religion’;” remarked Mr. Coleman of the Independent Reform candidate, who was subjected to criticism on the lines of that-previously voiced by Mr. Coleman. . , ~ ' “He’s afraid you’re going in, Bill, came a voice. .. „ . On tho matter of religion. Mr. Coleman said that the Labor Party was composed of all religions, including some wearers of the cloth, and others who were prominent in church work, and after detailing the names of these gentlemen, he added; “And the next member for Gisborne is a '[prominent 1 member of the Salvation Army.” ,

Although pleniy of opportunity was given for the asking of questions, none was forthcoming, and on the motion of Messrs. TL Robinson and IT. Hyde, Mr. Coleman was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, the meeting concluding with a vote of thanks to tl)o chair.