AN ABSURD POLICY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 958, 29 April 1930, Page 7

AN ABSURD POLICY

MR. W. P. ENDEAN ON LABOUR DEVELOPING CROWN LANDS “The policy of Labour is absurd and right-thinking pepole cannot entertain it, for if New Zealanders’ selfreliance and enterprise is to be disposed of in one fell swoop, God help the country,” declared Mr. W. P. Endean, Reform candidate for Parnell, speaking at the Remuera Library last evening. The candidate addressed a largely attended meeting and his interests were strongly supported by the Hon. R. A. Wright, former Minister of Education, and Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P. for Thames. After reiterating his previous charge that the Government was dominated by Labour, Mr. Endean went on to criticise Labour’s pledge for the Socialisation of production, distribution and exchange, which he claimed would leave industry in New Zealand stifled and dead. He described it as the height of madness to abolish the State defence system. Discussing land settlement, the candidate said that beyond introducing the rural credits system, f, he Government had not made much alteration in the policy of the Reform Party. He claimed Reform had not had a chance of putting the group settlement scheme into effect, but he did not think the time far distant when the party would have this opportunity. He cited two cases, in one of which the present Government had failed to obtain sufficient applications to take up high-priced land, while in the other fewer applicants than were necessary obtained properties at their own price because of lack of competition. Mr. Enaean said there were 3,000.000 acres of Crown land awaiting cultivation, and Reform’s policy was to select an area from 10,000 to 20,000 acres to be cut up under the direction of an advisory board, who would select men to take up blocks of about 150 acres on a 10-year tenure and at a reasonable rental. After indicating his opinion concerning ms.nufacturing industries and the administration of the railways, Mr. Endean expressed the opinion that the only way of solving the Dominion’s financial problems was to send back a stable Reform Government, which had the confidence of the people. A brief address was given by Mr. R. A. Wright, and after questions had been answered a vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate.