IF LABOUR RULED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 306, 17 March 1928, Page 32

IF LABOUR RULED

AIMS OF THE PARTY ADDRESS AT HUNTLY FARMERS’ BRANCH FORMED (From Our Own Correspondent) HUNTLY, To-day. An address dealing with various aspects of the Labour Party’s activities was given at Huntly this week by Mr. Walter Nash, national secretary of the party. He was accompanied by Mr. Lee Martin, M.P. for Raglan, and a large attendance of farmers was presided over by Mr. J. H. Furniss. The speaker dealt particularly with the Labour Party’s land policy, financial assistance to farmers, and cooperative marketing. He criticised. the present Government for its failure to provide reasonable assistance to the farming community, and especially for its legislation restricting deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank, and thereby further crippling the Advances to Settlers Department, which draws largely on that bank for its assistance to farmers. Mr. Nash was accorded a most attentive hearing. IN EVENT OF STRIKE Replying to questions as to what attitude a Labour Government would adopt should a strike threaten to hold up the dispatch of produce from New Zealand, he said that they would see that the produce was shipped, recognising that its dispatch was vital to the country, but it would also see that no exploitation of the workers by the shipping or other companies took place. It would also use every endeavour to prevent any strike taking place. Asked if any attempts would be made to interfere with the title to land of the present occupiers, he replied that no attempt would be made to do so providing the holders did not attempt to withhold it from cultivation. Security of tenure, the right of sale of holder’s interest in the land, and the right of a man to hand his holding on to his children would be guaranteed. LAND GAMBLING Trafficking and gambling in land, however, would be prevented, as such only resulted in booms and slumps. The unoccupied Crown lands suitable for settlements would be opened as required on the perpetual lease system, with provision for revaluation of the unimproved value of the land, the whole to be under the control of a land to co-operate with an assist the farmers. Mr. Lee Martin gave a short account of his experiences in Parliament, and stressed the desire of the Labour Party to co-operate with an assist the farming community. Both speakers were thanked for their addresses, and it was at once decided to proceed with the formation of a farmers’ branch of the Labour Party. All but four of those present decided to join, the quartette desiring further time for consideration. A number of ladies also joined up.