LABOUR'S POLICY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 278, 24 November 1931, Page 8

LABOUR'S POLICY

MR. ROGERS’ CAMPAIGN AN ADDRESS AT CASTLECLIFF An audience of eighty persons assembled at the Castlecli . Town Hall last evening to hear Mr W. G. Rogers, tho Labour candidate for Wanganui, expound Labour’s policy. Mr C. A. Melville was in the chair. Mr Bogers briefly traced tho history of the negotiations of fusion between the United and Reform Parties, which had now coalesced, giving some interesting comparative statements made by both parties only three years ago when opposed to each other. Tho underlying purpose of fusion, he contended, was to retard tho forces of Labour. When fusion had been mooted only as recently as July last, Mr Coates had replied that it was for the electors to decide which party they wanted to govern. Outlining the policy of tho Labour Party, Mr Rogers stressed tho aspect of tho great national wealth of tho Dominion, and showed that despite tho constant cry of depression there had been a tremendous increase over a few years in the interest-bearing deposts in the Associated Banks and in the private wealth of the Dominion as disclosed in tho latest Year Book. He claimed that the establishment of a Central Bank, with the control of note issues, would be a considerable factor in putting the finances of the Dominion on a sound basis, together with planned production of national requirements, overseas marketing, secondary industries, roading and transport, reduction of rent and interest charges and expansion of industry. Mr Rogers demonstrated the disastrous 'effect of the wage cut on the basis of the retailer, and pointed outi that the cut had been far greater than ten per cent in most cases, duo to the lack of employment. He feared that if the Coalition Government were placed in power further interference would take place with the Aribtration Court to the detriment of the wage-earner, and that the present education system would be seriously undermined. He claimed that the Coalition Party "were bankrupt of a statesmanlike policy, and were asking the electors to give them a legislative blank cheque.” He trusted that on election day the majority of tho electors of the Dominion would give an emphatic verdict in favour of the Labour Party’s policy. After the speaker had answered questions dealing with the removal of the wheat duties, the pledge given by the Labour candidates, the anticipation of the development of the port of Wanganui, and the forecast regarding the end of the depression being in sight, he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr Rogers speaks at Keith Street to-night. PATEA SEAT ME. SIMPSON’S CAMPAIGN The first shot in his election campaign was fired by Mr. W. G. Simpson, Labour candidate for Patea, last night at the Patea Town Hall. A well-at-tended meeting gave him a most attentive hearing and at the finish of his address a vote of thanks and confidence was carried by acclamation MID-CANTERBURY SEAT THE LABOUR CANDIDATE [ Per Press Association. ] ASHBURTON, Nov. 23. Mr. Hiram Hunter, Labour candidate •for mid-Canterbury, opened his campaign on Saturday evening. He criticised expenditure as extravagant and asserted that the Coalition was running the country in the interests of trusts and combines. He declared himself a champion of the farmers in regard to wheat duties and tho extension of markets. He favoured a central bank and defended the Arbitration Court. He was accorded a vote of thanks.