BACK IN OWN CAMP

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 507, 9 November 1928, Page 14

BACK IN OWN CAMP

MR. HOLLAND WELCOMED WEST COAST SPEECHES GOVERNMENT ATTACKED Press Association GREYMOUTH, Thursday. The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, addressed a crowded audience in the Town Hall this evening, and received a most enthusiastic hearing. He said his campaign tour had convinced him that throughout the Dominion there was a tremendous swing over from the Reform Party to Labour, and that whatever else happened the Labour Party would return from the polls with remarkable accessions of strength. There was every indication that the Labour Party would be the next Government. The change in public thought was quite as much in evidence in rural centres as in the cities. The method of giving admission by ticket to the meetings addressed by the Prime Minister was clear evidence that those at the head of the Reform Party recognised the Government’s widespread unpopularity and were not willing that their leader should face any but gatherings that were carefully "packed” with their own supporters. In some centres even the school had been invaded for the political purposes of the Reform Party. He severely condemned the idea of bringing partisan politics into the schools, and said the Labour Party would alter the law so as to make such an improper procedure impossible in the future. Mr. Holland contrasted Mr. Coates's meeting with those addressed by himself, and contended that the receptions accorded himself were due to the fact that in no single case was the “packing” of any of his meetings resorted to. They had thrown the doors open to supporters and opponents alike. The system of addresses by public men contending for the suffrages of the people would not commend itself to any section, nor would the method of personal attack resorted to by the Prime Minister and other Government candidates. PUBLIC SERVICE SALARIES Mr. Holland said that if the Post and Telegraph employees desired to have their wages and conditions fixed by arbitration they should not be denied a right which was conceded to workers outside the Government services. He further expressed himself in favour of a minimum wage for officers of the Public Service of 21 years of age and upwards. Referring to Public Service salaries generally, Mr. Holland said that the cost of living was now more than 60 per cent, above the pre-war level, uhue the average increase in salaries was only 35 pea- cent. The cost of living bonuses granted to public servants in 1920 were based on an increase in the cost of living of 62 per cent and he contended that the salaries should now be restored to the 1920 standard. 1 ® k char f ed that the Government had broken its promises to the public serconnection. and further that the Prime Minister had repeatedly misrepresented the position relating to the Public Service salary reductions. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Labour Party was carried unanimously. with cheers for Mr. Holland and the Labour candidate for Westland. r * Holland also addressed a largely attended meeting at Cobden, where he was accorded a unanimous vote of confidence.