REPLY TO THE LABOUR LEADER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 242, 12 October 1928, Page 8

REPLY TO THE LABOUR LEADER

GOVERNMENT DEFENDED [ Per Press Association. 1 WELLINGTON, Oct. 11. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, took the opportunity at Upper Hutt to-night to reply to some statements made by Mr H. L‘. Holland at Masterton last night. Much of Mr Holland’s speech, said Mr McLeod, was complete distortion of fact and an appeal to the non intellectual. Much of the academic financial proposals put forward by the Labour Party in all parts of the Umpire while in Opposition, nave had to be abandoned when they came into office. Striking examples were found in Australia. He asked Mr Holland to cease platitudes and point to any one Australian Labour governed State where money for farmers and workers has been cheaper, or advanced to greater extent than in New Zealand. “His statement that the Government approved and encouraged the raising of the overdraft rates by the banks last year is contrary to fact. ” said Mr McLeod. “What the Govern ment did, and doas not now agree with, is that there was a necessity for a corresponding increase in landing rates/’ . .

Mr McLeod was extremely satisfied that the State Advances Office had made profits of over £1,250,500. Referring to the appointment of Mr H. G. Sterling as manager of the Government Railways, and Mr Holland’s statement that it was illegal as was the retsoration of superannuation rights, Mr McLeod pointed out that the same procedure was adopted here as in other countries, and Mr Holland knew that well enough. He did not agree to an indiseriminae re-instatement and the Government cculd agree without a full investigation. The Government of New Zealand had gone further in allowing Civil Servants to suport Labour by extending leave to contest elections, than any other democratic country in the woild.

He considered it amusing that not more than two or three of the United Party candidates were fanners. He referric to the fact that the Govern ment had advanced in five years £19,347,000 to enable people to build awl own their own houses. This amount was unequalled by any other country in the world on a population basis. He referred also to the Great success of the recently-formed Rural Credits scheme, but he believed that New Zealand would never fulfil her destiny by primary production alone. He stressed the need for the hignest efficiency in primary production and manuafeturing. and upheld the nee I of scientific research work.