DOLES AND RUSSIANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 499, 31 October 1928, Page 10

DOLES AND RUSSIANS

MR. FLETCHER AT WESTERN SPRINGS DIVIDED AUDIENCE “Our Labour friends are telling us that the banks are throttling industry with their high interest rates, yet when we provide the solution of the trouble with our cheap money policy the Labour Party condemns us. Our policy would force the banks to loosen up." This declaration was made by Mr f;„ S rY!f7 her ’ United Party candidate for Grey Lynn, in an address delivered m the Congregational Hah, Western topnngs, last evening. Mr W t McMillan presided. '

The candidate dealt severely with the policy of the Government and stressed the benefits that would ensue from the development of secondary industries as advocated by the United Party. Dealing with the Labour Party Mr. v k’tcher said that the Labourites wanted to inaugurate an unemplovment Insurance scheme and collect statistics as to the cause of unemployment. Do you want the dole, ladies and gentlemen?” asked the candidate. Feminine Voice (excitedly): It’s not a dole. Chorus of Voices: It’s not a dole. Uproar and cries of “Rot.’,’ Another Voice: Are old-age pensions doles ? The chairman rose and pleaded for order. Mr. Fletcher: Did I say dole or benefit? Voices: Both. The Candidate: Of course. I said both. The candidate then proceeded to criticise the petrol tax. Feminine Voice: Well, Joey Ward voted for it. Mr. Fletcher then pleaded for the extension of the Flock House system to New Zealand lads and received the enthusiastic support of a large section of the audience. At question time a serious young man near the front asked the candidate what were his views on the prohibition question. Mr. Fletcher: I am a prohibitionist myself, but I think that issue should be kept apart from legitimate politics. The Questioner: Then you would put men out of work? The candidate said he would like to see that question thoroughly investigated. The questioner (plaintively): How would you like your job put to the vote every three years? (Laughter.) Here the candidate was interrupted by a man at the back who wanted to know about Bible in schools. The candidate said he thought it should go to the people and be settled by good democratic methods. Voice: What about the taxpayer who doesn’t want it. Mr. Fletcher: Provision would be made for him to keep his children away from the lessons. , The Voice: Would you be prepared to put the teaching of the 39 Articles as an issue? The candidate said he did not think the cases were parallel. The Bible was different. Speaking of the Labour Party the candidate said: The friends of Russia who are in the Labour Party (uproar). Feminine Voice: Mr. Chairman, I ask that the candidate be requested to withdraw that statement. Pandemonium reigned for a few minutes, both factors of the crowd upholding their views, but eventually the candidate emerged victorious, without retracting his statement. A vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate was carried with one dissentient.