COUNTRY PARTY’S AIMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 421, 1 August 1928, Page 2

COUNTRY PARTY’S AIMS

ADDRESS BY MR. P. KEEGAN (Prom Our Own Correspondent) M O RRIX SVILLE, To-day. “Last election was won on a ware of emotion, backed up by a strong political organisation. The Country Party was without organisation or funds, and faced a hostile city Press." This is the opinion expressed by Mr. P. Keegan, Country Party candidate, at a meeting at Morrinsville. “The Country Party has been formed by the demand of the primary producer for a fair return for his labour. It is against vested interests,’ said Mr. Keegan. “It is a protest against the high cost of living. “The party is now well equipped and funds are received only from those who are opposed to government by vested interests.” Mr. Keegan spoke of stagnation in land settlement, reduced rural working, depression, unemployment, high interest rates and labour costs. Preferential railway freight*! penalised the man farthest out and drove farmers to use motor services. “Labour and Reform fall out over the division of the spoils,” he said. “Labour says: ‘We want our share for the community; Reform takes it for the favoured few.” Mr. Keegan says he has had long experience as a farmer and on local bodies. He was chosen from nine prospective candidates. He told the electors that he resigned from a portion twice as remunerative as that of a member of Parliament, to work for his party. Mr. Keegan lias already given addresses at Te Miro, Hautapu. Matanfi, Motu-ma-oho. Tatuanui, Mangataparu, Tauhei and Morrinsville. He state* emphatically that he is not influenced by capitalist organisation, this being completely removed from his party* policy.