MR. MONCUR

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 86, 2 December 1931, Page 6

MR. MONCUR

* BRIEF RESUME OF PARTY'S POLICY BURDEN OF INTEREST A very fair audience assembled in the Lyric Theatre last night to hear the final address by Mr. A. F. Moncur the Labour candidate for Rotorua. The deputy-Mayor, Mr. George Urquhart occupied the chair and the speaker met with a very cordial hearing. Mr. Moncur stated that he did not propose to deal at length with matters of policy as that' phase had been dealt with at length by Mr Holland. His remarks would be more or less critical. "The cure of any ill, sickness or otherwise," he said, "is to remove the cause" and he contended that the ill to-day was due to the interest burden. What was wanted was a stabilisation of prices so as to enable the prlmary producer and worker to obtain a sufficiency of goods to keep his family in reasonable comfort. The Labour Party could not agree to a lowering of wages without a corresponding reduction in the eost of living. A reduction of two per cent. in interest would save seven and a quarter millions annually. The country could not continue to stand up to the burden. The remedy which Coalition suggested was a cut in all public and private expenditure, cuts in old age and soldiers' pensions and even hospital nurses' salaries. In the past "New Zealand had always had a better standard of living than any other country and that standard should never be interfered with. There were 50,000 out of employment, but the Government made 110 attempt to provide useful work or rehabilitate industry. Money had been wasted in many directions. For instance on Arapuni, Auckland Railway Station, Otahuhu Workshops and • in the niaintenance ■ of the Upper ' House. They should raise internal credits • and put their own people to work • and increase their purchasing power. If the worlcers and business men vot- - ed for the Coalition they deserved what they would get. He also condemned the appointment of the Hon. R Masters as Minister of Education and the proposed reduction of the education vote. On the motion of Mr. Mitchell, sec- ' onded. by Mr. P. Cronin, a vote of thanks and confidence was carried with applause.