PAYMENT FOR LAND

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22150, 23 September 1943, Page 7

PAYMENT FOR LAND

ATTACK ON MINISTER MR D. C. BELOE AT NGATEA A large and enthusiastic meeting in the Ngatea Hall was addressed by the Democratic Labour candidate for Hauraki, Mr D. C. Beloe. Mr G. A. Crammond presided. Dealing with the. remarks of the Hon. R. Semple concerning the number of candidates offering, the speaker said it was the privilege of all Britishers to do so. The remarks of the Minister savoured of suppressing the rights of the freedom-loving classes.

Referring to the statement of Mr Semple that land taken for airfields and military camps had been paid for, the speaker held that such was not the case. The Minister had given an assurance that the land had not been confiscated, yet the speaker could produce a signed statement from men whose land had been taken for camps. Not a farthing piece had so far been paid by way of compensation, and if the Minister could produce evidence to discredit that statement the men concerned were prepared to donate 50 per cent of their compensation money to the Hauraki Patriotic Committee. If the Minister could arrange to have compensation paid within three weeks they were prepared to donate 10 per cent of it to patriotic purposes. If Mr Semple and his Government were anxious to do all they could for the armed forces this was their chance to prove it. Complaint Regarding’ Eggs

Dealing with the complaint by Wellington women regarding unavailability of eggs, Mr Beloe said it was one of the meanest exhibitions of political “bunkum” he had ever listened to. Mr Semple had said the meeting was called because women wanted two eggs for breakfast; they could get only one egg, for huge quantities of eggs were being sent to the Islands. The candidate commented that he had never yet heard of a woman who would not starve herself even to death for her own child or anyone else’s child. They had their own sons, husbands and sweethearts over thgre. Mr Beloe said the meeting was called because the Wellington women wanted wool that was not available. They were urged on by that inherent mother instinct—a fact that Mr Semple would never understand, for he had branded the women of this country as a lot of gluttons, saying they wanted two eggs for breakfast and could get only one. The plain, cold truth was they could not get one egg to make cakes, etc., for their boys on active service. “But,” said the candidate, “Mr Semple is an Honourable, and I am only a nonentity.” The speaker wanted to be charitable to the Min- , ister, who had been imbued with good intentions in the yesteryear, but he had failed in recent times. Future Population

Outlining the Democratic Soldier Labour Party platform, Mr dealt with the land question ana primary production, discussing the part each branch of farming played in the economy of the Dominion. He visualised New Zealand with a future population of four or five milions. It behoved any government to think many times before acting once, lest by solving a question of today there was created a dozen problems for the future. The medium and large runholder would be necessary always to supply beef and springing heifers to replace thousands of cull cows every year. To cut up all their holdings meant that the foundation was kicked from under the dairying industry.

The candidate answered several questions, and a vote of thanks and confidence, moved by Mr G. Beck and seconded by Mr N. Alack, was accorded him. Mr Beloe, acknowledging the vote, said he appreciated the compliment, and declared the proper place to show confidence was at the ballot-box.