HAWKE'S BAY SEAT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3017, 2 March 1917, Page 6

HAWKE'S BAY SEAT

MR SIMSON ON THE PLATFORM, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hastings, March 1. Mr. H. Lan Simson, Independent can-< didate, supporting the National Government, addressed a crowded meeting lasfc night. Ho said that among the problems to be faced were those of food supply, soldiers for the front, returned soldiers, labour, and taxation. Thd land should bo made to produce to itß full capacity. Settlers who only madeit produce 2% per cent, he regarded as criminals. Volunteers had come forward in thousands, but now conscription was necessary. Tho Government was not going far enough, because ifc had not conscripted wealth as well as men. The Government and the patriotic societies were not doing enough for the returned soldiers in order to give them, what they deserved. Not a person in the country should he allowed one shilling of war profit. The people should give up pleasures. He attaoked race meetings. .The men in the trenches and the men on tho warships had no races to look at. "What sort of picnio was ifc these men were having? Regarding tho workers, he said they should have a better example set them. The workers could not be blamed for asking for a levelling up. Labour on the wharves should be nationalised. In respect to taxation he said it mattered not howmuch taxation increased—so long as production kept pace with it tho country would be rich, and could easily pay for it. Such taxation should not be put on the poor people. Mr. Simson spoke at considerable length regarding Sir John FindlayV candidature, and read a lengthy statement in which he alleged informalities at the convention which had prevented delegates supporting, him exercising their votes. , The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.