LAND IMPROVEMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 506, 8 November 1928, Page 6

LAND IMPROVEMENT

USE OF FERTILISER ESSENTIAL GREY LYNN MEETING Mr. U. B. Fitzherbert, Reform candidate for Grey Lynn, encountered a deal of opposition at the Adelphi Theatre. Grey Lynn, last evening, but the candidate emerged with flying colours, proving himself equal to his interjectors and questioners. The candidate opened his address by dealing with the land question. The land, he said, was the foundation of out existence, and every 1 Act ever put into force regarding land settlement was still on the statute books. The first factor in the settlement of land was good dairy herds, and the standard should be improved. If a racehorse was worth £40,000, a really good beast was also worth it. Land could be vastly improved by the use of fertiliser, and it the farmer was unable to afford it the Government should supply it. Fertiliser should be carried on the railways free, and he was in favour of passing an Act to make top-dressing compulsory. The Government should establish experimental farms in pumice lands, and when this was done, and its capabilities tested, it should settle farmers on the group system. The candidate expressed himself as in favour of teaching the Maori language in the schools. Here a bright interlude occurred, several people speaking irr Maori and near-Maori, the candidate replying in the same language. Dealing with unemployment, the candidate said that in some measure the Government was to blame. It should not have brought people from the Old Country during the time of depression. “I am sympathetic. During my life I have been too sympathetic. That’s why I’ll never be Prime Minister of New Zealand. A Voice: “You’ll never be a member! “I’ll be a member this day week.” The candidate said that the Labour platform was unworkable. It was a good machine, but it would not work. “The people of New Zealand have been ” A Feminine Voice: “Bitten!” “The Labour Party supporters have heckled me, and I want it. It tests a man. The candidate was troubled with a bad throat, and he decided to conclude his speech. However, he carried on for another hour, answering questions.