INDEPENDENT GROUP

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22150, 23 September 1943, Page 6

INDEPENDENT GROUP

CANDIDATURE JUSTIFIED “ The Independent Group members are just average New Zealanders and we refuse to be dictated to by any section of the community. We put suggestions before you for the better government of the Dominion and if you approve we propose to put them into effect. It is really an issue of the people versus the party, in government, and we fight for our principles, just as it should be in a democratic country,” said Mr H. T. Head, Independent candidate for Hauraki, in an address at Morrinsville last night. Mr F. Stretton presided. The speaker declared for an all-out effort to win the war. There was no other way in which to achieve any real form of security. Che Armed Forces had been doing a really good job overseas in face of tremendous opposition and the recent exploits in North Africa showed that they were as good fighting men as any others in the world’s crack troops. Money For Rehabilftation After the war there would be tens of thousands seeking rehabilitation, and a vast amount of money would have to be found and expended. The Independent Group proposed to spend £100.000,000 on that work, and that money would be wisely expended, to the benefit of everyone, not merely a special section. It wao realised to be a big task, but it could be done, and would be done. “ The dairy farmer of today claims that he is receiving a raw deal, and I sincerely agree with that statement,” said Mr Head. “ The farmer is the backbone of this country, and there is justice and equity in the claims of the farmers to have inequalities of cost evened up with the costs in other industries by comparison with the rewards. Until costs are levelled up there will always be trouble. The farmers and the* other producers should be measured by the same rule, and no success can be achieved until that is done. Once united, the farmers and other producers will work for the common good, and in doing so they will work for their own individual betterment.”

Conferences of the conflicting interests should be held, and to do this the farmers must be united. By unity they would not be exploited by any other section of the community, as was the case too often nowadays.