HAURAKI SEAT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32305, 27 August 1943, Page 5

HAURAKI SEAT

DEMOCRATIC LABOUR .WAITAKARURU meeting ADDRESS BY MR D. C. BELOE Mr D. C. Beloe, who is the candidate for Hauraki in the interests of the Democratic Labour Party, addressed a meeting on Monday, August 23 in the Waitakaruru Hall. Mr Beloe, who is a farmer, blacksmith and veterinary surgeon resides in Pukekohe. . In his opening remarks Mr feeloe said that he wished to make it clear that he did not intend to recriminate the Governments of the past, but was convinced that an Independent Government . was neded, and there muss be a party to achieve success. The Democratic Labour had little financial backing and apart from some help from loyal friends, candidates would have to pay for their own campaigns. The party did not support trade unionism. Touching on Rehabilitation Mr Beloe said that in his opinion in placing returned men on farms, the advice of farmers living in the districts concerned, should be utilised, as their practical experience would be of more value than from other sources. Secondary Industries More, also, should be done to make use of the abundant resources available for secondary industries, such as sugar beet and factories should be built for this. He urged development of the fruit-growing industry, as this could be grown in New Zealand as good as that in California. Olive and castor oils were products with a world’s market and the planus were easily grown and suitable to either clay land or sand dunes. The iron and steel industry should be cultivated.

Mr Beloe said that his party did not agree with the present Government’s land policy, freehold versus leasehold, considering that every man had a right to hold the freehold of his ’ own land, but no one should be allowed to hold great tracts of land. He spoke at length on the difficulties the farmer had to contend with. His products were highly perishable, and could not be held in case of a fall in prices as could the manufacturer. He gave reasons why there had been a change-over from butter to cheese and from cheese to butter. Help A. & P. Associations Mr Beloe said that the Democratic Labour Party promised that they would see that assistance should be given to the A. and P. Associations, by seeing that part of the profit which the Government took from the racing clubs, should be given to enable the associations to give better prizes, and thus encourage the raising of better stock, and. also to clear their properties of mortgages. Dealing with the manpower position the speaker contended that the country was overcommitted in this way. Twenty per cent, of the fit men had been taken from farms and industry—more than from any other allied nation. The Democratic Labour 'Party, he added, did not agree.with the repudiation of overseas debt, but would try to negotiate for an easing of the enormous burdens. Motherhood Endowment Mention was made by Mr Beloe that the present Government had not fulfilled its promise in relation to motherhod endowment, and that this would be one of the aims of his party if elected. Emigration, he said he considered necessary, but under different methods from those adopted previously. The right type must be encouraged to come from Great Britain. The audience gave Mr Beloe a very attentive hearing, with no interjections. There were no questions asked, and it was proposed and seconded that the speaker be thanked for his interesting address, which lasted one and a-half hours. Passed by acclamation. A collection was taken up to help to pay for the cost of hall hire.