A PETONE PROTEST

Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1920, Page 1

A PETONE PROTEST

“EXPLOITATION AND SPECULATION.” (“N.?. 'fimes.P) A public dqmpnsßation against the high cost of. ‘tjyjflg, and especially against the rise ip the price of butter, was jield on Simday on flip Petone recreation ground. The meeting }vas preceded by a procession beaded by the Municipal Band. The meeting was pre sided over by the Afayor (Air J. McEwan), yho justified the holding of tho meeting on Sunday by quoting the parable of the disciples plucking the ears of corn, and Christ’s lesson therefrom that it was right to do good and save light on the Sabbath day. The Mosaic law prohibiting free trade in land was quoted, and the Mayor suggested that the land jaws of Joseph during tho famine in Egypt, whereby a/ fifth of the land’s products was handed to the- State, should be applied to the land in New Zealand. If this were done there would be a revenue from this source of £3,592,000, and butter could be sold locally at Is 7d per ib. Little advantage could be hoped for from the present Government for tjie common people. Addresses were delivered by councillors D. S. Redinfield, Tovey, Anderson, and Churchouse. Mr Seddon said t|iey were not antagonistic to the working farmer, to whom t|iey desired to extend their support and to join bands with him in helping to rid the country of tjip parasites who were battering upon both farmer and city labourer. Re moved: “That this combined meeting of Petone citizens assem bled enter a strong protest to the Government owing to t|ieir negligence, by not submitting effective legislation so as to protect the interests and general well-being of all the community against the elements of exploitation and speculation. AVe earnestly appeal for effective measures to be administered to safeguard a peaceful reconstruction as against an aggressive one.” The motion was carried unanimously.