MR. LEE CHEERED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 56, 3 September 1943, Page 5

MR. LEE CHEERED

OPENING OF CAMPAIGN

P.A. AUCKLAND, September 2.1 The leader of the Democratic Soldier Labour' Party, Mr. J. A. Lee, launched his party's election campaign in the Town Hall at a meeting attended by about 2000 people. Much enthusiasm was shown. At the close Mr. Lee was cheered and the audience sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Democratic Labour had over 50 candidates, Mr. Lee said. He predicted that his would be the largest party in the next Parliament. "The Nationalists are anti-Labour," he said. "Labour is anti-Nationalist. We are pro-New Zealand."

AUCKLAND, September 2,

He endorsed Mr. Holland's assertion that New Zealand's man-power was becoming over-committed. None more than he wanted to see New Zealand flght on to victory, but the over-com-mitment was disproportionate and there was urgent need for a realistic revision of the man-power requirements.' The Prime Minister apparently had made the same discovery as Mr. Holland since the start of the election campaign, as his reported utterance at New Plymouth showed. Quoting from his party's platform, he said the party was not in favour of conscripting those under 21 or of sending the fathers of large families to overseas service.

Over-commitment was pulling the pillars from beneath industry, and had resulted in shortages of consumable commodities. It threatened a great reduction in income and he would predict that if it were not checked the present Government would impose another wage reduction in the form of an additional 5 per > cent, war tax. Mr. Lee devoted much of his address to advocating .public control of currency and credit, and accusing the Labour Party of having been false to its election pledges of I&SS and 1938 on this subject. A vote of thanks to Mr. Lee. wishing him and his party good luck on polling day, was carried against a few dissentients and amid enthusiasm.'