THE LABOUR PARTY’S POLICY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19867, 2 August 1934, Page 13

THE LABOUR PARTY’S POLICY.

To the Editor of “ The Timaru Herald ” Sir,—Kindly allow me space to answer “Consistent’s” letter of even date. I note he is still evading a straight question, and I would suggest that he also should be competent enough to answer a plain question as I asked in my letter of the 23rd inst. I asked was the Labour Party the cause of the present conditions? Now he says I should be able to answer this question. Of course I could answer. If he reads my letters again correctly, he will see where I have answered and given my views in our correspondence with reference to the Labour question. He accuses me, in our early correspondence of hiding. What i§ he doing now? I have asked that he will come into the open and give his name, as I do not like answering anonymous correspondence. He says he thinks my letter of the 25th inst. is somewhat complicated. How can he think that? I again say his mind requires broadening. I gave everyday facts, so there can be no misconception whatever. It is your correspondent who is complicating the issue. I asked a fair question and I wanted a direct answer. “Consistent” is always running down the Labour Party. Now he admits his party consists of “none.” So if he has no direct political views, why keep trying to down others? Is it manly or womanly to criticise a party before it has had a hearing? Although it was not so successful “as anticipated,” <n other countries, why down it before he knows New Zealand may be more benefited by it? Let everyone, more especially the decent people, have their chance as well as others have had. I hope “Consistent” will not try to evade my questions by putting his versions on to my questions. He goes on to say that the Labour Party has been reduced from hot air to taxation, and he says their promises are just “flapdoodle.” I do not know the meaning of the word, “flapdoodle.” I have never seen it in the English dictionary, so I say it is an uncalled for remark. I have been in most countries, but I have never heard the word used. Therefore it must be “Consistent’s” own concoction. I am again curious to know the meaning of the word. It is a very poor spirit not to let everyone have their chance. That is what is wrong to-day. Certain people • ant to keep in the dark, while their fellow citizens are doing the hard work. I say let us stand firmly together, and we shall eventually win our rights. We want the men and women who will face the storm together, not those wanting the sunshine all the time. “Consistent” puts my views down as a reverie, that is to say. not founded on facts, but I have given all the facts of my correspondence. “Consistent” also says a little reflection will show me New Zealand has never had a Labour Party. I well know that, but I do not agree with his remarks. A very big reflection convinces me that the sooner New Zealand gets another party in. the better for all. We want more self-reliant people amongst us to put things on a firm basis. “Consistent” asks me to say where would the Labour Party raise the money to fullfill its promises. I do not suggest ever the Labour Party could giet all it may ask, but I would say: Go straight to the people, put a decent policy before them in the interests mutually for one and all, and whether it was the Labour or any other party, once the people with money knew their funds would be used on the right and proper basis, and we could prove confidence and loyalty, then New Zealand would be a better place.—l am, etc., M. E. GARLAND. Timaru, July 30.

Steeplejacks have been removing the large crosses and other external decorations from the tall spire of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Palmerston North. Two of the steeplejacks were working on a small platform on the top of the 159 ft. spire removing the three large crosses. The largest of the crosses is Bft. in height and sft. sin. in width. The smaller crosses are the same height, but have a span of only 3ft. 6in. In all, six crosses and 12 pinnacles are to be removed. The large central cross surmounting the spire was damaged by the earthquake in March.