HAURAKI SEAT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32308, 3 September 1943, Page 3

HAURAKI SEAT

WAITAKARURU MEETING LT.-COL. ROBINSON SPEAKS LABOUR PARTY’S POLICY Lt .-Col. Robinson, the Labour party’s official candidate for the Hauraki seat in the forthcoming election addressed a fair attendance at a meeting held in the Waitakaruru Hall last Friday night. Mr Robinson stated that he was a soldier in the last war and had seen some service in the present conflict. He spoke of the late Colonel Allen who was a personal friend and whose death he deeply regretted. Referring to his opponents in the election he said that he knew the sitting member, Mr A. S. Sutherland personally and held him in the highest esteem, the only difference between them being political. He said he knew nothing of the other candidates but he was sure the contest would be a good, clean one.

The choice, he said, did not stand between candidates, but between parties, and between the old and the new order. It was absolutely essential that the Government be returned to power as it had a responsibility to see through the programme of post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Past Work Reviewed The candidate gave a full and detailed review of the achievements of the Labour Party for the last eight years. The war policy followed by the Government had 'been consistently praised by overseas leaders, and letters were read from several sources bearing out these claims. ' Much time was spent in stating what the policy was for the rehabilitation of the returned servicemen, and Mr Robinson emphasised that it was the intention of the Government to not only see them settled on good farms but to also assist them in setting up in business on- their own account. Money at a low rate of interest would be made available for this purpose. The. land settlement scheme was fully explained, and he said the settler would be given every assistance. The intention was that the right type of land only would! be purchased, at the right price. This was to be for a period of ten years after the war. Training of Students One of the policies of which Mr Robinson spoke was the training of students wishing to follow the professions of doctors and teachers.

Training would be made available to all, irrespective of their financial circumstances, he said. Figures were given showing that the cost of living in New Zealand at the present time was lower than in any other country. The present programme would be followed out to the full if the Labour Party was returned to power, said Lt.Col. Robinson. There were few interjections, but on the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks was accorded the speaker.