LABOUR ALTERNATIVE

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1935, Page 9

LABOUR ALTERNATIVE

ATTACK ON GOVERNMENT REPLY MADE BY HON. A. D. McLEOD RESTORATION OF WAGES POINT. BRITAIN’S EMPIRE TRADE POLICY By Telegraph—Press Association. Masterton, Last Night. Addressing a farewell political meeting at Martinborough to-night the Hon. A. D. McLeod warned electors that if they did not wish to be governed by political Labour they were required to do some hard thinking for themselves during the next three months or so. Die-hard Tories, Empire free trade dreamers and independents with political opportunists types were being organised to remove the present Government from office and this, of course, must assist political Labour in many electorates, he said. It was nonsense to say that millions had been put in the pockets of the farmers at the expense of all other sections of New Zealand’s population as a result of pegging up the exchange. Provided the cost of living was not forced up as the result surely the infusion of millions into the purchasing power through the basic industry of the country must beneficially assist many other sections of the community. If that were not so how came it, for instance, that numbers of employers were able to restore wages and salary cuts? Those stating that Britain would ever be willing to enter into separate trade agreements with her different Dominions were either deliberately or ignorantly misleading the electors. Was it possible for any British Government to enter into a trade agreement with New Zealand, say, upon butter and meat less advantageous to Canada and Australia, without quickly breaking up the Empire? If it were fully realised that Australia and Canada together contained over threefourths of the Empire’s overseas white population the impossibility of the proposal would be. appreciated by all sensible people. Mr. McLeod introduced Mr. J. W. Card, who will contest the Wairarapa seat in the interests of the National Federation. At the conclusion of Mr. McLeod’s address a resolution expressing appreciation of his services and regret at his retirement was carried unanimously. Hearty cheers were given and the audience sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."