LABOUR'S LATEST CONVERT.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13410, 7 May 1912, Page 4

LABOUR'S LATEST CONVERT.

HON GEORGE FOWLDS' CAMPAIGN

HINTS AT LIBERAL DIVISION

(Special to "The Colonist.")

Wellington, May 6. The United Labour Party's latest convert, the Hon., Geo. Fowlds passed through Wellington to-night, en route for Dunodin on the business of the Party. "Yes," said Mr. Fowlds, when asked; if he was completely identified with the unity platform, "1 think the new platform is a magnificent platform for the purpose of rallying all the progressive elements of the community. It is a great deal in advance of anything we. have had from a responsible party 'before, and yet is sufficiently moderate that all reasonable and useful people can unite to have it given effect to." ' The*..; Radical section; what are ; the prospects" of its success, do you-think, Mr Fowlds was asked. "I am not prepared to speak dogmatically on that point, but I am quit© sure that the greater majority of the people of New Zealand are *infavour of a more progressive party.,-;tn"an anything that-is in sight outside.the Labour Party. Personally, my attitude toward the Government is >oiie of benevolent neutrality. They will probably do less harm in their present position than any Opposition Government.'' "Of course,'' added Mr.FoAvlds, 'there must, in the very near future be a division between the Conservatives and R-adbh's, &nd within the Government Party the Radical section are bound not onjy to'sympathise with, but to work with the Labour Party, in the very near future, and the conservative element will probably gravitate to their proper place;" What are the most important points in the Labour programme? "Well," replied Mr. Fowlds, "firat is proportional Tepresentation. Second is the'■reduction of the cost of living, by increasing the taxation on land values,"and remitting taxation on the necessaries of life. A surplus of between £700,000 and £800,000 taken from the1 pockets of tho people by taxation, and used for the purpose of creating a vain©'that goes into the hands of a comparatively "few is quite indefensible. It ought to be used for the reduction in the cost of living."

Mr. Fowlds states that he will plae© himself in the hands of the Labour Party for platform work during tJio next thjee or four weeks, going where it suits the Party's plan of campaign. He will address a meeting in Dun-sdin on May 9th, and expects to remain in the South Island for ten clays or bo.