N.Z. LABOUR PARTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5440, 26 June 1929, Page 2

N.Z. LABOUR PARTY.

ATTITUDE TOWARDS UNITED. FORMATION AND POLICY. During the course of an interview granted to a representative of the “ Hauraki Plains .Gazette ” Mr M. J. Savage, M.P., touched on ( several points of interest in New Zealand political affairs to-day. Referring to the United Government, Mr Savage said that up to the present the Cabinet Ministers had spent their time travelling round the country receiving deputations. Nothing so far had been accomplished. If they felt they could not .fulfil their election promises it was likely that the United Party would go to the country and cause another general election before their failures became too apparent. Prior, however, to making that move the party would make a determined effort to fulfil, if only partially, some of the promises made, so that, impressing the public, if another election was held the party might conceivably be returned again with a safe working majority In that manner they would feel secure for three years. But, Mr Savage emphatically stated, if Sir Joseph Ward and his party showed signs of a determined constructive policy they would have Labour’s unqualified support. The average New Zealand M.P. voted for results and not for party. If the Government were proceeding along lines beneficial to the country and its inhabitants, “what reason/* Said Labour’s deputy-leader, “have I got to stop them ?” ■ The Government was not taking up the Paeroa-Pokeno railway as seriously, as the proposal justified. No orgument could be brought against the linfec The Paeroa-Pokeno railway was certain, however, to be brought forward early, in the session, probably in the Address in Reply, and brought under discussion. Referring to the Labour Party Mr Savage said that branches were being established all over the country. The branches nominated as candidates for parliamentary representatives whom they pleased—no clique at Wellington dictated them. The Labour system of nomination had been criticised, but it was the one that got as near as possible to the voice of the people, and that was as things should be. Labour’s programme was decided upon at the annual conference, and was untrammelled by any promises. Members of the Labour Party were ready to discuss in the Housd whatever came before them.

Labour desired to see men placed on the land, and . prices stabilised as far as possible. They sought to bring together as closely as possible producer and consumer, thereby eliminating the middleman. Through the medium of co-operative;' societies it was possible ( to do sbi The present Imperial Government was desirous in furthering this scheme, and it could be depended upon to keep the middleman in order.