THE WAITOMO SEAT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4055, 1 June 1938, Page 5

THE WAITOMO SEAT

LABOUR CANDIDATE’S VIEWS. ADDRESS AT PUKEATUA. (A Correspondent.) On Saturday evening last Mr Jack Jones, the official Labour candidate for the Waitomo seat at the forthcoming general election, addressed a well-attended meeting. Mr H. Heddon, who was voted to the chair, said that the essence oi British justice w’as to hear both sides of the case before giving the verdict. Some supporters of the Opposition Party would say, “You should not go to a Labour Party meeting as it only’ encourages them.” He (the chairman) did not agree with that view’, and thought that sort of Briton was slipping, and slipping badly, when he could not hear both sides. (Hear, hear.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR’S VIEWS. Hon. J. E. Duncan, M.L.C., at the chairman’s invitation, gave a review of the past legislation of the Government and outlined the programme for the coming session of Parliament. In passing, Mr Duncan remarked that never in the history of New’ Zealand had such an intelligent interest been taken in national politics as at the present time. This he welcomed as tending to be all for the good of New Zealand; it was especially welcome from the Government’s point of view. Dealing with the land question, Mi Duncan said that the man who was farming his land need have no feai of the Government, w’hich w’as out to assist and protect him in every possible direction. THE CANDIDATE. Mr Jones then addressed the gath ering, his address lasting over two hours, during which he discussed many of the problems of the day. Mr Jones said that during the thirteen years immediately prior to the advent of the Labour Government the old Governments had added the sum of £54,000,000 to New’ Zealand’s overseas debt, and had also paid the sum of £54,000,000 in interest during the same period. Since Labour had been in power not one penny had been added to the National Debt overseas, but to the contrary it had been reduced by £2,000,000. (Applause.)

The candidate also stated that the Hon. Walter Nash had been investigating the problem of building houses on farm lands. The existence of mortgages was a difficulty the Minister had to overcome before- he could advance money for building houses or farms. Mi- Nash had now solved this problem and legislation would br brought down during the coming ses sion to enable the housing plan to be extended to farms.

Mr Jones said that in the plans of the Labour Government there was no place for drones—be they called “ gentlemen ” at the top of the ladder or “ scroungers ”at the bottom. Both were of no value to the country. The men and women who worked with hand or brain were the only concern of the Government, be.cause that class rendered service to the community.

The candidate said that some people were apt to exclaim, “Oh ! We consume only 20 per cent of our primary production in New Zealand, and therefore the Labour Government cannot give a fixed price for exports which are sold overseas.” Mr Jones conten led that New Zealanders in reality consumed 100 per cent of her production. Those who made such a remark as quoted should remember that New Zealand consumed 100 per cent of her production—less interest on the overseas debt—as every pound of exports was paid for in goods sent back to New Zealand and consumed in the Dominion.

Concluding his address, Mr Jones emphasised the fact that the fight was not between Mr Broadfoot and Mr Jack Jones, but was one guided by Principles and Policy. When the numbers went up on election night, he hoped, whoever won, to shake hands with his opponent after a very clean fight. BARRAGE OF QUESTIONS. The chairman then invited questions, of which quite a barrage was forthcoming at once, Mr Jones being under fire ” for a little over an hour. A questioner: Should not the Government control all transport? We have paid millions in building good i’oads. Why’ should we allow’ a private business to be conducted on them ?—Mr Jones: You have really answered your own question. “ Why’ did not the Government take over the trading banks with the Reserve Bank and do the job properly ? ” was another question. Mr Jones replied that so long as the trading banks did their job and gave service the Government w’ould not take them over. If, however, they failed to give that service the Government would act. They are not giving service,” rejoined the questioner. “Anyone who shows signs of any sympathy with the Labour Government is always treated pretty roughly.” Yes, I have heafd many complaints,” replied Mr Jones, “ but we cannot go faster than the people want us to- However, you can depend on the Government watching the interests of the people in this respect, too.” THANKS AND CONFIDENCEAt the termination of question time Mr Jones said that the Hon. Adam Hamilton had stated that the Labour Party’ had one million of money w’ith which to fight the general election. “ That,” said Mr Jones, “ is quite untrue, as we have to depend on the people at our meetings by ‘ taking the hat round ’ to help pay for benzine, etc. Will someone do so now ? ” The hat was duly passed round, and a collection taken up. Mr F. Graff proposed, and Mr J. Millen seconded that “ this meeting thanks Mr Jones for his able address and desires to express its confidence in him as the official candidate for Waitomo, and in the Labour Government generally.” The motion was carried without dis-

sent, and a vote of thanks to Mr Heddon for presiding brought the meeting to a close at a very late hour. MEETING AT NGAROMA. Mr M. Gould presided at a well-at-tended meeting addressed by Mr Jack Jones at Ngaroma on Friday evening, the candidate being accorded a hearty vote of thanks, together with an expression of confidence in him and the Labour Government. Subsequently a branch of the Labour Party was formed, nearly sixty members being enrolled. At the conclusion of proceedings Mrs Mankelow entertained the entire company at supper, being heartily thanked for her hospitality. Thereafter a couple of pleasant hours were spent in dancing. BRANCH AT AROHENA. An enthusiastic meeting of supporters of the New Zealand Labour Party was held at Arohena on Wednesday evening last, when Mr T. H. Kelly presided. It was unanimously decided to form a local branch of the party, and officers were thereafter elected for the ensuing term. They are as follows: President, Mr T H. Kelly; vice-presi-dent, Mr H. Randall; secretary, Mr J Nultar; treasurer, Mr T. Unden; executive, Messrs P. Foley, M. Bridges, C. Sinnott, G. Kimber, L. .Close, B. Fanning, R. Watson, J. Hawken and J. Johnstone.