TEMUKA LABOUR’S POLICY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21155, 30 September 1938, Page 4

TEMUKA LABOUR’S POLICY

Mr Kearton Addresses Electors Candidate Answers Questions A statement that Labour would definitely introduce conscription if necessary when war came, was made by jir J. A. Kearton, official Labour candidate for the Temuka electorate, when he made the first campaign speech delivered in Temuka, in the Elite Theatre on Wednesday night. The Mayor, Mr A. W. Buzan, presided over an attendance of 600. The candidate was given a good hearing and there were very few Interjections. Mr Kearton was asked what the attitude of the Government to war would be if it were returned to power, and whether conscription would be introduced. “It goes without saying that if England went to war we would be at war too,” said Mr Kearton. A voice: That is not the question. Mr Kearton: I am satisfied that the Government would have to have conscription. 9 "Would you take Paddy Webb?” asked an interjector. Mr Kearton added that the length of the war would be a deciding factor in whatever measures were introduced, but if conscription were necessary to help the Motherland in her hour of need then New Zealand would have to have it. Social Security The costs of the Government's Social Security Scheme were reviewed by Mr Kearton In his address. He said it was not fair to look at the total cost and consider it as a totally new item. From that cost had to be deducted the money spent in pensions, paid to doctors, and paid in hospital board rates at present. He remembered that when the soldiers went to the Great War they were told that they were going to protect the aged and infirm. “Surely if we can afford to protect them with the life blood of our young men In times of war we can protect them in times of peace?” said Mr Kearton. The speaker read extracts from editorials of newspapers written at the time the late Mr R. J. Seddon was in power, which “show that the newspapers are saying the same things to-day as they said 40 years ago.” Referring to the question of labour for farms, the candidate said: “There has been a squeal from some quarters that men working on school grounds and other jobs are getting more wages than farm workers. They think we should cut down the wages of men under Government schemes to balance the labour market. I believe that we should try to bring the wages of farm hands up to those of other workers and create the balance that way.” Mr J. A. Lee's Book Disowned A questioner asked if a statement reported in a review of Mr J. A. Lee’s book, “Socialism in New Zealand,” to the effect that Public Trust estates would be taken over by the Government and administered as the State thought fit represented the attitude of the Labour Party. “When Mr Lee sits down and writes a book he is not writing for the Government,” said Mr Kearton. “If he likes to let his fancy roam that does not implicate the Government.” “Why did the Government raise the guaranteed price on a falling market?” asked another questioner. Mr Kearton: Because Mr Nash said that If the farmers suffered from rising costs resulting from legislation he would compensate them. An interjector: Who is going to pay?

Mr Kearton: The real idea behind the guaranteed price is the stabilisation of Industry. The Labour Party believes that the price of butter would right itself over the years. If It did not do so the debit would be left on the books of the Reserve Bank. Any opportunity to make an advance to the bank when there was a lift would be taken and the debit eventually wiped out. “This is said to be an electioneering stunt,” he added. “What has been done is in accordance with a promise made by Mr Nash. It is only a method of stabilising prices—a subsidy from the people to the dairy farmer. The community will have to pay eventually. If the workers in an industry are getting a fixed wage then the farmers are contributing towards a guaranteed price for them. The whole question is how the national Income can be equitably distributed.” In reply to another question regarding the Industrial Efficiency Act, Mr Kearton said it was only an authority to Interfere with business where necessary. Mr W. H. Davey asked what the candidate’s attitude to the country quota was. “It is quite all right and should stay,” said Mr Kearton. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr Kearton was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of Messrs A. R. Beck and Geo. Harris. ORTON FAREWELL SOCIAL Mr Rex Shaw, who is leaving the district to take up residence in Timaru, was farewelled at a social function in the Orton Hall. The chairman of the Hall Committee, Mr W. Buchan, said it would be unjust to allow Mr Shaw to leave without showing in some measure the appreciation of residents for his services to the social life of the district. He wished Mr Shaw every success in the future, and trusted that, he would always remember the happy times he had had at Orton.

Mr J. Snell made the presentation of a travelling bag on behalf of the residents. Mrs W. Buchan and Mr A. E. Dobson also spoke. Mr Shaw suitably responded. Music for dancing was supplied by a Temuka orchestra, and Mr L. Trumper was M.C. CONCERT BY BAND VISIT TO PLEASANT POINT To assist its funds the Temuka Municipal Band presented a concert in the Pleasant Point Town Hall on Wednesday night. Congratulations were extended to Mr V. Thomas, conductor, on the progress the band had made. Items presented by the band included the test selection and the quickstep for the coming contest. Before the conclusion of the programme, Mr H. B. Strange, president of the band, thanked the Pleasant Point people for their support and also the assisting artists. Items were given by Miss E. Bryan (vocal solos), Mr L. Andrews (piano accordeon), Denley Bros, (songs with guitar accompaniment), Mr R. Spillane (vocal solos), and Messrs R. Thomas and P. Lowry (comet duets). Miss V. Findlay was accompanist. FOOTBALL The senior team to represent Temuka in the Beri Cup final against Star at Temuka to-morrow is as follows: M. O'Connor, G. Horgan, L. R. H. Wilson, J. Opie, R. Jamieson, A. Gaffaney, L. Goodson, F. Polhlll, D. Stewart, B. Gale, L. Stevenson, F. Dawson, W. McCully, H. Gilbert, W. Cain. Emergencies: R. Connolly, H. Ives, G. Ackroyd and J. Boyle. The following will represent Star:— Morrison, Ford, Greyburn, Cunningham, Milligan, Vucetich, Donaldson, Jack, Adkins, Ivey, South, Clarke, Hayes, Provan, Gunn, O’Hara, Coates, Butterfield, L. T. Malcolm. “THANK YOU, MR MOTO” The mystery man of the mystic Orient. “Mr Moto,” matches strength with cunning—intrigue with lightning action —and outwits those who would plunder the hidden tomb of Genfhls Khan. It's the newest and most exciting adventure of the celebrated Saturday Evening Post sleuth in “Thank You, Mr Moto,” Twentieth CenturyFox picture starring Peter Lorre, which will be seen at the Elite Theatre tonight. Where “Moto” appears something exciting is bound to happen. For behind his bland, mild manner is the lightning-swift cunning of the Orient’s ace detective, portrayed with amazing finesse by Peter Lorre, famous for his psychological characterisations. In keeping with the established policy of placing each “Moto” story in a colourful foreign background, “Thank You, Mr Moto” is laid in Peiping, China, and on the desert wastes of Mongolia. The plot is woven around the friendship of “Mr Moto” for an elderly dowager of Old China and her son, a Chinese prince.