LABOUR IN SUBURBS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 488, 18 October 1928, Page 13

LABOUR IN SUBURBS

CRITICISM OF REFORM’S PRUDENT FINANCES . MR. MASON OPENS CAMPAIGN Mr. H. G. R. Mas'on, M.P., the Labour candidate, opened his campaign to retain his seat as representative of Auckland Suburbs last evening. He was given an excellent hearing at a full meeting at New Lynn. The chairman, Mr. W. L. Titchener, introduced the speaker, who, he said, had maintained tho highest standard since he became a member in 1925, and had done as much as any man could have done. “I never would have offered my services and asked for the confidence and trust of the electors unless I had intended to do my utmost for the people,” said Mr. Mason, returning thanks.

He had done his best, whatever lie had achieved. He reminded his audience that at last election the cry had been “Reform and confidence,” the alternative as stated by Mr. Coates was dark and dangerous. In spite of the conditions, according to Reform, being excellent, one of his first duties had been to support an unemployed deputation, which got nothing from the Minister of Labour, not even an appreciation of the position. ENERGY THAT FLAGS They had gone then to Mr. Coates, and their impression was most favourable. It appeared that here was a man of energy, who would live up to his reputation, even if one did not agree with the way of going about it. They had soon found, however,

that Mr. Coates wasted so much energy getting ready to do things that he had none left to do them. He pointed out that there was a Government of 53 members, and an Opposition of 14. All the Opposition could do was to draw attention to things that were required and try to shame the Government into doing something. He proceeded to discuss the unemployment position, and asserted that men going to relief works often were offered conditions that gave them a mere existence under the condition of animals. Because men would not go out to these works, which offered nothing for the wives and families, they were branded as loafers. The suggestion of unemployed insurance had been nu de by the Labour representatives, and had been received with contempt. It was not offered as a solution of the difficulty, but it would meant a great deal to the unemployed. LACK OF POLICY The Government had made some sort of promise to try and do something about it if it were returned. The Government had no land policy respecting the immigrants who were one of the causes of unemployment. The Government publications in England merely mis-stated the conditions in New Zealand and left the new people stranded. Mr. Mason said it must not be thought that he was against immigration. The country had the room, but it required proper organisation and a proper land policy. Mr. Coates had promised a land policy, but it had not yet appeared. Land was intimately bound up with unemployment. The Labour policy was to put men on good land at present held in large estates and uncultivated. It was not necessary to talk of pumice or tussock country. There was plenty of land all the way down the main line without going anywhere else. Graduated land tax would achieve the objective. / TAUPO LINE CONDEMNED This led the speaker to strongly criticise the proposed Taupe railway, which, he said, was going to cost the ratepayers £37,600 annually At least, and was an excellent example of the Government’s prudent finance. New Lynn had expected that as soon as the waterfront railway was in sight of completion, the tunnel and straightening of the northern line would be undertaken, but this work was being shelved, or indefinitely postponed, while a railway like Taupo was to proceed, opening up land of very doubtful value. Whatever opinions Sir James Gunson had on the question he had to follow the Prime Minister. The Arapuni delay was also the subject of criticism. The company had had everything settled in its favour, and if the Government could do that when it did it could have done the same 18 months before, and saved an enormous amount of money and inconvenience. Mr. Mason pointed out that in spite of Sir James Gunson stating that there had been a vigorous Reform land policy there were 5,000 fewer men on the land, and an increase in the amount of land reverted to scrub. As his opponent had been away for two years he might be pardoned his ignorance, but he had no right to humbug the electors. The speaker, concluding. said he hoped his experience and learning would be of further use to the electors. He pointed out that a period of learning

was a necessity. Until he had been at his work for some time he had not realised that it was waste of time talking to a Minister when one could go to an official. He felt that he had done his best for the electors and trusted that he would receive their confidence again. Question time saw a few inquiries. The candidate expressed himself as definitely in favour of daylight saving, and gave one or two explanations desired oil other subjects. The speaker was accorded an enthusiastic vote of thanks, the motion also expressing a renewal of confidence and being carried with applause.