LABOUR’S POLICY

Southland Times, Issue 22491, 28 January 1935, Page 8

LABOUR’S POLICY

MR PETER FRASER AT GORGE ROAD.

government criticized.

Mr Peter Fraser, M.P., deputyleader of the N.Z. Labour Party, opened his Southland tour at Gorge Road on Saturday evening. The local hall was filled with district residents who accorded Mr Fraser an attentive hearing throughout his address. Mr T. Beck occupied the chair. Mr Fraser prefaced his remarks with sympathetic reference to Mr P. A. de la Perrelle, member for Awarua, whose health has been impaired for some time past. He expressed regret that Mr Perrelle was indisposed and hoped that he would be well enough to attend the next session of Parliament. For the most part Mr Fraser s address was an outspoken criticism and denunciation of the Government’s general policy. He dealt with the Government s record, its policy of deflation, wages and pensions reductions, sales tax, the exchange rate and other matters. He also criticized the Government’s administration of public works and railway construction, and asserted that the whole Government policy had failed. The mismanagement of the Native Affairs Department also came in for severe criticism, Mr Fraser maintaining that the Government and the Cabinet Ministers were collectively responsible for what had happened in this department, amounting to nothing less than a misappropriation of public moneys. The latter portion of Mr Fraser s address was given to a delineation of the Labour Party’s plan to meet the present depression conditions. At the conclusion of his address, Mr Fraser answered several questions and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. During the evening, Mr T. Doyle, of Bluff, Labour candidate for Awarua, was introduced. In continuation of his tour, Mr Fraser will address meetings at Orepuki to-night, Tuatapere to-morrow evening, and Invercargill on Wednesday. __________