LABOUR DEFENDED

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 275, 26 November 1935, Page 3

LABOUR DEFENDED

Mr. Christie at Waipukurau OUTLINES PARTY POLICY ATTENTIVE HEARING Mr. H. M. Christie, Labour candidate for the Waipawa Seat, made his second appearance in Waipukurau last night, when he addressed a fairly large audience in the Municipal Theatre. The candidate was given an excellent hearing, and at the conclusion of his address was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr. J. McCarthy. The Mayor (Mr. I. W. N. Mackie) presided.

Points from the speech were:---

“I’m in a fortunate position in that I haven’t been drawn into the pulitical dog fight that is taking place in this electorate,” said Mr. Christie, in his opening remarks.

Referring to statements allegedly made by Mr. Munro, Labour candidate in Dunedin, Mr. Christie declared that they had been seized on by the Press and grossly exaggerated. Mr. Munro was only one member of the Labour Party, and even if he had made the statements alleged, he had no official authority to do so. However, the speaker’s information was that his remarks had been grossly exaggerated. Mr. Munro had pointed out that if a civil servant refused to take instructions, then it would not be long before he ceased to be a civil servant. If returned to power, the Labour Party would have the right to take any such constitutional action. That was as far as they would go; they would definitely keep within the British constitution.

Referring to propaganda in regard to the sale, at a discount, of savings bank deposits in Australia, Mr. Christie declared that a public panic, resulting in a run on the savings bank, and the closing of its doors had been deliberately engineered by propaganga in the Press of Australia. Advertisements offering to sell deposits at a discount were inserted in the papers, but the signatures were indecipherable.

“If I am elected I shall use every effort to see that the law regarding electioneering methods is tightened up,” said Mr. Christie. “It is not right that people should be asked by house-to-house canvassers how they are going to vote —that’s their business!”

The opinion that the Government was ill-advised in its effort to close B radio stations, was expressed by the speaker, who declared that it was an effort to obtain a definite monopoly. He went on to refer to the Rev. Mr. Scrimgeour’s Friendly Road broadcasts, which, he said, were the most popular in New Zealand. The previous night when Mr. Scrimgeour’s broadcast was going on repeated “howls” had been heard, he said. Mr. Scrimgeour had been warned that attempts would be made to interfere with his broadcast. That night Mr. Scrimgeour had again had to close down, owing to his main aerial being cut. “I am not going to accuse Mr. Coates, who is in that direction at present,” said Mr. Christie amid laughter. “1 don’t blame him for all the things that the public blames him for, and I don’t think he cut the aerial, but it might have been some of his supporters—it was certainly not supporters of the Labour Party.”

“Even <• grub in an apple doesn’t die because the apple is too big.” said Mr. Christie, referring to the deliberate destruction of produce which had take i place throughout the world while thousands were starving.

“We won’t be able to wipe out the savings of the people—because it’s already been done!” declaied the speaker.

“To-day people are permanently leaving New Zealand,” declared the speaker. A voice: “Gordon came back though!” Mr. Chr.stie: Yes,, because he had a guaranteed price. He won’t have after Wednesday though.”

“The Labour Party to-day is the definite follow-on of the old LiberalLabour Party of many years ago..” said Mr. Christie, amid applause.

I • . The speaker expressed the opinion that the Government should make an investigation into the boundaries of local bodies, with a view of bringing

about a better community of interest. The Labour Party was satisfied that a considerable reduction in expenditure could be effected. “The Coalition has always said that New Zealand would have to wait for an improvement overseas, before It would emerge from the depression. Now that the improvement has taken place overseas, and has been reflected in New Zealand, the Coalition wants to take the credit ■for its good work’,” said the speaker.

“What is the Labour Party’s attitude towards the defence of New Zealand?” the speaker was asked. He replied that the opinion of the leaders of the party could be summed up in two words “Adequate defence.” They considered, however, that the population was not yet sufficient to defend the country properly and believed in building up the population, firstly, by encouraging secondary industries. It was ridiculous to ask people to defend the country if they had no stake in it—the country should first be made fit to defend. The speaker would not be in favour of New Zealand taking part in any war unless there were conscription of both wealth and man-power.

“What are the Labour Party’s views in regard to immigration?” was another question. Mr. Christie said that there was plenty of room for more population, but not under present conditions. Work should first be provided for our own people, and then, later, the right class of immigrants could be encouraged.

“What is the speaker’s opinion of the Governor’s small farms scheme?” —“lt can be summed up in one word, ‘rotten',” said Mr. Christie, remarking that many men had had to go off their holdings. The scheme was a miserable failure.