N.Z. ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1931, Page 6

N.Z. ELECTIONS

LABOUR LEADER

(By telegraph—Per Press Association) HAMILTON, November 27. Mr H E. Holland (Labour Party Leader) in addressing a packed audience at Hamilton: last evening drew attention to what he described as ail overwhelming dishonest advertisement relating to the ownership of the “N.Z. Worker.” Before the wage cuts this paper paid the highest wages in the printing trade* and still did. No member of Parliament had any say in its policy. It was true a slight cut " r as made after the ten per cent, cut came into operation, but even now the wages, paid were higher than . the general wagesiat'the time of the cut. Instead of a 44diour week, the “Worker” em ployees worked 40 hours, with no reduction; for shorter time. He instanced the rates of pay which were considerably in excess of award .figures. Messrs Forbes and Coates, he said, had forced down the wages in all trades in New Zealand. No kind of twisting would serve to disassociate their names with the false advertisement of the “N.Z. Worker.” MR CO ATES AT W AIM ATE. TH E UNEMPLOYMENT POLICY. W AIM ATE, November 27. , The Reform Leader, Hon. J. G. Coates,., addressed a well-aittended open air meting this morning, and was given a good hearing and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. fi, ■ Following' a review of the ' events leading to the formation of a Coalition Government, when lit.' Hon. "W. W. Forbes invited tire co-operation of all the parties to meet the crisis, Mr Coates stated that the question of the election was discussed, as no man could act unless lie felt lie had the people of the country behind him. The question of leadership was not involved, and the speaker would support Mr Forbes right loyally, Mr Coates appealed for support of Coalition candidates. He asserted the need to keep New Zealand’s credit high by balancing the Budget, which was being done, as much as possible, by economies and by increasing interest rates. Those receiving* unearned incomes were being taxed more heavily.. Instead of reducing interest, farmers were being helped under the mortgagors’ relief rates reduction, and reduced fertilizer prices. The prosperity of the .country depended on the primary producer.

Mr Coates defended the abolition of the v grad united land tax on the score that taxation should he levied according to-’ability to 'pay. ' The*^'Governm ent aimed at having the 51,000 unemployed absorbed in industry, and asked for a- free hand to deal with the problem from day to day. The absorption of the unemployed must come before the restoration of .wages..Hn.-OutliaqdAtJlSr. Government’s unemployment policy. A bright outlook was a recognised fact. For seven months of the year, exports exceeded imports by £7,750,000. Several questions were answered.