LABOUR ASSAILED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 504, 6 November 1928, Page 13

LABOUR ASSAILED

MR. DONALD HITS OUT

Speaking to a crowded audienee m the Newmarket Municipal Hall last evening, Mr. J. B. Donald. Umted Party candidate for Auckland Last, indui.,ea in some hard hitting at the expense ot tho Labour Party, and at the same time trenchantly criticised the Government. “There are only* three parties in tl field, for I do not count the Country Party which has only five or six can didates altogether,” began Mr. Donald. A Voice: Only two parties that coun.. "There are some good men in the ranks of the Labour Party, admitted the candidate, "but they were not protecting the rights of the people. It was bad for any free country—or seml-free country"—ho said, to have members of Parliament who were bound down to follow two or three leaders. Some Labour men were of course require in Parliament—in fact, there were some Labour men in the Lnited Paitj. s ifnks Mr. Holland’s followers had no right to do what they do when they sign toe Party platform. Jf they do they are no longer free agent-,. They si<*n away their birthrights. A Voice: That’s all nonsense. The Labour Party, toe candidate contended. tried to claim the mantle that fell from Seddon, but it had two policies, one. for the electors, and the other containing things which the people of New Zealand would never want to be put on the Statute Book. If ever extreme Labour gets in in New Zealand, toe country will be turned upside down in twelve months. A Voice: It’s upside down now. Turning then to Reform. Mr. Donald said a reduction in taxation could bq made —there was no doubt about it. t±o quoted a leading article of The Sun to show that expansion of public services was causing increased taxation. Mr Donald referred to toe fact that tho Government had put 200 quarrymen out of work by selling stone from the prison quarry. That, he said was neither fair, light, nor reasonable. “Such questions as Prohibition and Bible in schools,” said Mr. Donald, "can onlv be settled by a direct vote of the people. It is wrong for Parliament to do it. The people have a right to voice their opinion.” The candidate was tendered a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. Mr. S Donaldson presided.