DISTRICT NEWS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 December 1911, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

JSVENTS IN SHANNON

(Chronicled by our Resident

Representative )

ME J. ROBERTSON, LABOUR CANDIDATE, AT SHANNON.

On Saturday night, Mr J. Robertson addressed a largo meeting in the Druids' Hall. iMr T. Lind! occupied the chair, and after briefly asking for an attentive hearing for the candidate, called on Mr Robertson to make his address. Mr Robertson said it gave him pleasure to come to Shannon, becauso he knew he wa swith friends. This was his fifty-second l, meeting, and he was feeling a little the worse of wear. He was suffering from a cold, and under these circumstances they would liear him patiently. The principal part of tile address he had come to make was the answers to the questions supplied to each of the candidates by tho Farmers' Union. The first of these was "That the Grown lands tenants have option of purchase of the freehold. The speaker was strongly opposed to alienation of land from the Crown. He contended that tliis would not bo in the interest of the peoplo and would not bo in the interests of the farmers themselves. It would mean further exploitation of tho Working ''armor. The farmer was primarily a worker, and as such' should get only the value lie produces from the land. The optional tenure as a stepping stone to freehold was scathingly condemned by the speaker, when lie referred to the proposal "That only ratepayers be allowed to vote for county councils and other local bodies. The candidate advocated the full franchise for all in elections to local bodies. In dealing with the (question, " That no increase of taxation by way of Land Tax be placed on the farming community," he said tiho framer of this did not understand" the matter. There was no intention to penalise tho working farmer. It would strike tho speculator and prevent tho high values which meant high rent. "That no further duty bo imposed on the farming community," was another question. It was curious, the speaker said, that the Farmers' Union was willing that furthers Customs duties should be imposed so long as they did not tioueh the farming community.

Mr Law here pointed out that the question referred to farm implements and machinery.

The candidate said it was nothing to him what thev wished to take it off.

A voice: "Would vou take it off the pick and shovel?"

Mr Robertson said the inter.jector had proposed a very pertinent question for the Farmers' Union.

On the question of monopolies and the exchange and distribution of TiHoduce Mr Robertson enumerated the many advantages that had been given to the farmers by the Government Psnch as shipping subsidies, agricultural department's staff of instructors. State experimental farms, etc. The whole of the industries had been taxed to provide this. There were only two ways: Either State monopoly or private monopoly. The State monopoly was in the interests of the whole of the community. . It was a fact that only fourteen days after tibo Farmers' Union platform had been issued the executive urged that a Govrnment depot bp provided at London docks, and the sole marketing for done by the Government This was for the purpose of excluding middlemen. The only way to save the oilfields of New Zealand was for the Government to step in, otherwise they would certainly become the -property of the Standard Oil Co. The Government must stand in the interest of the people and therefore against all monopolies. The coasting shipping to he broken up. The farmers would bo with the workers there. The friend of the genuine farmer was the Labour Party. They had one common enemy to fight. (A voice: Tt is a dream!)

He was against further alienation of Crown lands. The.improvements were the property of tih-e holder: that was, the value the farmer created ; but what value the people created belonged to the people. Tin's policy was in the best interests of the farmer himself.

In regard to the two parties — Ward and Massey—no question of principle was involved in their existence. Each stood for the name of a man and principle went right under. Massey was not offering any policy, but a criticism of the other side. It was what one had done and the other had not done. To give complete democratic control the Referendum and Elective Executive might be brought in, and complete abolition of the Upper House. In answer to questions, Mr Robertson condemned the contract system of labour. If the contractor could do the work and make profits, the State could do the- same. He was in favour of Dr. Findlay's prison system and treatment of criminals. Tattersalls' sweops were purely a Tasmanian concern.

In answer to Mr Law, who asked if the candidate was a single taxer, Mr Robertson answered: "Values go up through population, and with no effort of owner; such values should be taxed. He believed in the principle, but would not confine it to land owner." He was in favour of the Fowlds system of Id in the £ and remit thte Customs duties; accordingly he was in favour of the State competing with monopolies. He would vote on a No-confidence motion against either the Ward or Massey parties. On the motion of Mr Barclay, seconded by Mr Eastwood, the candidate was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. 'Tins was carried with Cheers.