POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1065, 4 November 1911, Page 3

POLITICAL.

MR.ROBERTSON AT FOXTON.

Mr John Robertson, the Labour candidate for the Olaki seat, delivered his second address in Foxtou in the Coronation Hall on Thursday evening. There was a fairly good attendance, and Mr P. T. Robinson occupied the chair. In opening, Mr Robertson said that since he last addressed a Foxlon audience he had traversed practically the whole oi the electorate, and from the success that had attended his meetings, had convinced him that the Labour Party’s effort in trying to get direct representation in Parliament was a wise step. The argument had been used that there was no necessity for a Labour Party, as the present Government had passed sufficient labour legislation. The speaker agreed that a good deal of labour legislation had been passed, but a large amount of it was not at the request of the workers themselves, but more to keep the workers quiet than anything else. At the present time there was more industrial unrest, more discontent, than ever before, and the reason was because the workers felt that they were not a great deal belter off tor all the present Government’s legislation. The greatest reason for the lailure of the legislation was that the cost of living was rising in a greater ratio than the workers’ remuneration. The Labour Party lelt that the proposed legislation ot both the present political parties was no remedy for this, hence their reason for seeking direct representation. Mr Robertson explained that although he was the nominee of the Flaxmills Employees’ Union, he desired to represent all workers, and his platform provided something beneficial for all classes of workers. The speaker then proceeded to lay down his platform. Tne greatest question before the people was the land question, and he regarded this as the most important Labour question. He submitted A • ay laud policy that was going to be of benefit to the people had got to provide first of all that it should give easy access to the land to those who wanted to go on the land, and in the second place, that once a settler was on the laud he should receive all the values that he created 011 the laud. The curse of this country was laud speculation. (Applause). The public also should have the full value the public created. He said that they had recently read of the Hon J. D. Ormond blessing the Government’s Laud for Settlement Act, and in consequence of this he thought it was time for the workers to look at that Act with a good deal ol supisciou. He referred to the Balfour Estate, and said the proper remedy for this was tor the Government to put ou a tax that would make Mr Bailour sell at a reasonable price. (Applause-) The speaker dealt with fiuauce at some length, and declared himself strongly in favour of a State Bank. On the education question the speaker favoured the present system of free, compulsory and secular education, but stated he would support extending it from the primary schools to the universities. He was opposed to eudowiug denominational schools of any description. He favoured giviug all civil servauts full civic and political rights iu common with employees of private employers. Ou the licensing question, as a democrat, he favoured the issue being ou the bare majority. He was opposed to com j,.usury military training, mm cuusmerod that in' auy case this question should have been first ol all put to a referendum ot the people. He favoured the relererrdum uu all questions ot vital importance to the people, also mi elective executive. He was iu lavour of the “ right of rc-eall,” that is to say, where a man was elected to' represent the people he should be subject to the control ot the people. Mr Rouerisuu concluded by giviug reasons why Labour should have direct representation in Parliament.

There were no questions asked, and on the motion of Mr Hornblow, seconded by Mr Morley, the candidate was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for his interesting address. A vole ol thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.

Mr W. iri. Field, M.i'., will address the Otaki electors at Foxtou ou Thursday evening next, at S o’clock in the Coronation Hall. Alter the meeting, Mr Field will meet all those m iavour ot his candidature, lor the purpose ot forming themselves into a committee. Mr Byron Brown addressed a very well-attended meeting at Mr Gibbs iiaxmill on Thursday mgut and received a vote ot thanks. -Mr Brown intends, at his next address in Foxtou, to introduce a novelty which should attract a bumper house. Full particulars will be advertised later.