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LABOUR’S CAUSE.

ADDRESS BY MR P. FRASER, M.P. p Mr P. Fraser, Labour M.P., for Wellington Central, addressed between 50 and 60 people in the Masonic Hall last night on the policy of Ihe Labour Party and received a very attentive hearing throughout. Mr Rowlett occupied the chair and said that at the end of the meeting they would have a better idea of Labour’s objective than what the press of N.Z. would lead them to believe. Mr Fraser said the Labour Party expected attacks from the press and opponents and if this were not so it would not be necessary to send their representatives to Parliament. It was natural that the press were opposed to labour for the owners of the papers were not in the ranks of Labour supporters. Despite criticisms and epithets the Labour Party still went on for their platform was based on truth and justice. He criticised the soldier settlement of land and referred to the Commission on same. The present Government never did or never will represent a majority of the people. There was no essential difference between the Tory and Liberal parties, so it was not difficult for a few Liberals to “rat” to keep the Massey party in power. The Government permitted the profiteers to make huge profits. Although wages rose they did not rise in ratio to the cost of living. The Massey Government conscripted flesh and blood but did not conscript wealth. The Labour Party in the House had strenuously opposed the reduction of wages and fought until they were physically tired out. Tt was “monstrous that men receiving a, few pounds per week should have their wages cut down whilst thousands of pounds had been handed hack in taxation to the wealthy people. He trenchantly criticised Mr Massey and the Reform policy and paid similar attention to the Liberals who were not the same party as led by Ballance and Seddon. He did not object to Mr Massey going to England but to his coming back for they would be better without him in New Zealand, He referred to the Labour Party’s objection to a reduction in taxation except through the customs. He referred to the mining conditions on the West Coast and to the huge profits made by companies and other institutions, which were wrung out of the industrious people of the country. The Labour Party considered human beings before material wealth and this was the difference between Labour and the other parties. Labour wanted equal .opportunities for every child. It a new conception of political economy before the people. Every man, woman and child should be properly fed, clothed and housed and 'every- child should have the opportunity of growing up physically and mentally fit. Had Labour not been returned to Parliament, as strong it had, he was sure the rereduction of wages would have continued. He hoped in the future that the Labour Party would be returned by a big majority. The Tories invited immigration to settle more land but the Government, did not give the people here an opportunity to settle on the land. The question of immigration could be soon settled if the Labour Party was in power. He referred to large natural dual holdings of land. The natural assets of ihe country should be used for. the benefit of the whole of the people. To-day the people were being exploited by monopolists. He - referred to the lack of housing in the cities and gave instances of hardships which had come under his notice. The unemployment question could be grappled with if tackled in the right way. Every man had the right to work and earn a living for himself and family. He advocated State medical aid and concluded that he was not present to solicit their votes but to make them think of the problems he had mentioned. On the motion of Mr W, Adams, seconded by Mr Hannah, the speaner was accorded ’-a hearty vote of thanks for his address and a similar compliment to the chairman concluded the meeting.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19231120.2.16

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2661, 20 November 1923, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
678

LABOUR’S CAUSE. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2661, 20 November 1923, Page 3

LABOUR’S CAUSE. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2661, 20 November 1923, Page 3

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