ADDRESS TO WOMEN

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 69, 1 November 1928, Page 4

ADDRESS TO WOMEN

MR POLSOX AT INGLEWOOD. Mr Poison addressed a large meeting of ladies at Inglewood yesterday when he spoke on political matters. Mrs. Simpson presided. Mr Poison said he had been absent in the back country when he had been asked to address a ladies' meeting at Inglewood, and bad gladly consented, but he had seen anj| advertisement in the newspaper saying he was to give his views on prohibition. He had not understood that, as he thought he was to speak on general politics in the first place, but had no objection to stating, his opinions upon the prohibition question. He thought it necessary that anyone seeking to enter Parliament should have definite views on the various problems confronting the country as a result of mature consideration. He had given much consideration to questions affecting women and their activities as he had to those affecting men. “ I have visited most of the countries in the world, and I hav e come to the conclusion that none of them is f.s favoured as New Zealand. We have a great heritage which we must hand down untarnished to pr&'sperity. We must shape our. country’s future wisely. When he criticised the Government of the country, he did so because he felt! that the Dominion was not being administered as it should be. For years be had kept out of general politics because he felt he could render better service inside than outside, but he felt the time had now come when he could be of service by entering the political arena. - In New Zealand to-day the national debt and taxation were being increased year after year and ag a result of that burden primary production was at a standstill. Therefore we were not getting ahead, and farmers were leaving their farms in large numbers. Official figures showed this. Statistics presented a dismal picture, showing that New Zealand was not getting ahead as were other British countries. A complaint be had against the Reform Government was that the official returns did not show the true position. He contrasted conditions in Denmark to show what could be done by sound land settlement and good financing. Yet Ministers of the Crown admitted here that the fundamental requirement of the country was beyond the Government. He believed that tile remedy was comparatively easy, and ‘ with proper administration and Government the Dominion could be brought back to a state of prosperity. Speaking in regard to his views on Prohibition, Mr Poison said he favoured a bare majority on two issues: “Are you in favour of prohibition—Yes or no.” (He also favoured an extension between polls. Three years’ polls with a bare majority would not be satisfactory to either side and could only result in chaotic conditions. A questioner: You state that wealthy landowners do not pay income tax, but is it not a fact that there is a land tax and a super land tax in New Zealand. Mr Poison: There is. a land tax, but there are men on th e land today who are paying land tax in figures when they should be paying income tax in five figures. In Jiiy opinion the landowner should pay whichever tax is the higher for him. Questioner; Are you in favour of the Bible in schools? Mr Poison: I am not in favour of interfering with our present system pf education. I would like to see the Bible introduced t 0 children, but not by means of compulsory reading in public schools. (Applause.) The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks t'o Mr Poison.