YUGO SLAVS IN N.Z.

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 510, 13 November 1928, Page 10

YUGO SLAVS IN N.Z.

EMPLOYMENT DEFENDED

MR. POTTER IN FORM The appetite of his audience whet-j ted by its encounter with the Prime j Minister, Mr. V. H. Potter, Reform candidate for Eden, had a comparatively quiet meeting in the Regent Theatre, Epsom, last evening. Interjections were irequent, but the candidate made heavy and effective “come-backs.” Me first of all dealt with the employment of Yugo-Slavs on work, a point that had been raised by an interjector during the Prime Minister's speech. "They were our allies during the war,” declared the candidate, “and the Government advertised for two months to get men to do some dirty, wet railway labour. No applications were received, and the Yugo-Slavs were employed. They did the dirty work—why shouldn't they have some of the clean?” he asked. Answering the charges made about the hard times workers were experiencing, Mr, Potter said that £19,000,000 in solid cash had been squandered by workers on the totalisator, drink, and tobacco. “There is plenty of second-class land available for settlement,” he declared. “Where?” called an interjector.

“You’ve got more time than I have, find out for yourself,” snapped the candidate as he threw- a Year Book from the platform to the inquirer. "Now, look at him,” said Mr. Potter, “he’s trying to read it upside down.” . „ , “Tell us about Mr. Bunn,” called another inquisitive one. "He’s a ’bunn’ that will do you good -to swallow,” answered the candidate. Speaking of the Omnibus Act the candidate said he realised that the regulations were unjust to Auckland, and for that reason he opposed them strenuously. His opponent, Mr. Stallworthy, who had opposed the setting up of a Transport Board, was now making statements about, the “infamous .regulations.” Votes of thanks and confidence were carried.