THE LABOUR CANDIDATE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 71, 18 December 1918, Page 6

THE LABOUR CANDIDATE

'A meeting in the interests of the Labour candidate,* Mr. B. Somple, was held in the Masonic Hall, Berhampore, last night. Mr. P. Kiabll presided, and there was a large attendance. . The Kev. J. K. Archer the opinion that the .present Government was incompetent, and Hint the sole hope of progress was with the Labour Party, - which stood for national effort in tho national interests. Mr. M. J. Keardon. spoke in favour of reform of tho education system. He contended that under present conditions the children of very v many of the, workers were not able to get. all the education they should have. • They had to start work, often in "blind-alley" occupations, when more fortunate children were attending secondary schools or colleges. He argued in favour of free school-books, compulsory continuation classes, and the careful selection of vocations to suit temperaments and abilities. Mr. Semple spoke on the lines,of previous speeches. ' He protested against the way that some legislation had been rushed through Parliament during the recent session.' and against the neglect of other legislation on account of the departure of the two leaders for London. The electors were being told that he was an.industrial-rebel, and had been asso- .. ciated with industrial troubles. He' bad no apologies to make for his connection with industrial troubles. He had fought on the side of the men who wwe his enmrade*!:. and he? would do.sn again, inside Parliament or outside. The electors were being asked to vote for Labour orinciples. not for' an individual. Mr. Semnle 'charged the National, Government with being "anti-patriohc, since it had permitted immense war profits to be made. Ministers ought to nave "•milled down their own salaries and got down to the level of the man who carried the gun." • The. policy that had .permitted war profits had created slums. "Tho Labour Party stands for the. abolition of landlordism, he said. Of what use is the landlord-to the com- ( munity? Only to keep the.children of* the working-class living in .hovels. Land monopoly was a curse to ftew Zealand, in town and country. The Labour Party stood for the national ownersmp of land, of the means of production and Of transport. "I. want you to own Hawke's Buy." said Mr.; Semple. It is yours." -(Annlause.). Sir Joseph, Ward had said that "the Union Company s fleet was not worth JEIXHM.OM. W* demobilisation was completed "« government would have .paid .£6,000,000 Tor the hire of some of the company's ships. Did the Minister of Finance run his own business in that way? Ho advocated the nationalisation of the medical service, increased pay .for teachers full civil rights for Public Servants, the abolition of the.Upper House, and the admission of women to Parliament. Mr. P. J. O'Regan denounced land monopoly with much vigour.. The meeting accorded Mr. Semple a vote of thanks and confidence- without dissent.

Mr George Frost will address a meetin-' of the Wellington South electors In thS Baptist Schoolroom OJ.iro Boa*, Brooklyn, at 8 o'clock to-night. Mi. J. D. Hopkirk will preside. . Mr. Castle will deliver us final address this evening at the Masonic Hall, Berhampore. . . ■ The final meetings of the; Labour candidate,' Sir. K.Semple, will be held f in Fullford'e Hall, Brooklyn, and.the Star Theatre, Newtown.- In addition to tie candidate, the following will also spenk: -Hon. J. T. Paul. \T.L.C.. Jtesrs. H. ]5. Holland. M.P., J. M'Combs, M.P.. W. Parry, J. Bead," and A. L. Monteitli.