N.Z. LABOUR PARTY.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 September 1919, Page 5

N.Z. LABOUR PARTY.

PUBLIC MEETING AT O-HUTU. (From Our Own C‘orre§pondent.) The public meeting held in connection with’ the Ohutu branch of the Labour party took place last Wednesday evening, and attracted a fair number of electors.

Mr McCorkindale, chairman of the local branch, presided, and said that the meeting was called to continue the good work already started, and to and said that the meeting was called to continue the good work already started and to place the party’s platform before the elect-ors—a platform that was comprehensive in character. Mr McCorkindale contended that the -ancient politics was not sufiicient for present-day needs, and that as the Ward regime, Reform, and National Government had all failed, there only remained the Labour -Party, a party capable of running the aaifiairs of the country. Mr‘:-‘W. T. Ashton dealt -with the land policy of the party,- emphasised the importance of the question," and‘ denied that the Labour’.Party stood ':for the confiscation: of land, .sta.ting‘lthat'they recognised that - present land-holders have legal rights, -and that tenants have absolu’te..rights to. improvements,» but: that all Crown lands in future should be under national endowment. - . Mr McCorkind_ale then rebutted the charge that thevpartywere a party of extremists, and dealt exhaustively with the mining question. Speaking as a practical miner, Mr ' Mc'Corkindale 'dwelt upon the unattractiveness of la miner’s life, quoted from medical and other evidence to show how unhealthy, the work is, and told those "present some- 1 thing about the big wages that we hear so much about. Mr McCorkindale’s speech gave those present food for thought, and most of those present will have more sympa'th*y for the muchabused miner. Mfr "Gvoldsbury- spoke along general lines, advocating support r for the Labour Party’s platform, asi the best and most democratic platforml at present before the relec-tors. Air‘ Goldsbury also dealt briefly,’ but in a: masterly. way, with the educational; problem. :The.nleeting was thrown? open to, discussion, and several t'ook.ad- ! vantage of the privilege. At the close, fl new members rvefe enrolled, and .a vote of thanks to the chair terminated the: meeting. ‘_‘Your Own” understandsi that the Ohutu committee intend getting a branch formed in Utku shortly,‘ which goes to show that the committee is a live one, and the members 30f it are 3 to be congratulated on their enth‘usi—l asm. {