OPENING OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3320, 25 October 1919, Page 5

OPENING OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

MR F. P_ BRADY AT TOWN HALL.

Mr Brady, the oflicial Labour candidate for Parliamentary honours for th_e Rangitikei scat, opened his campaign in the Town Hall last night, before a large and appreciative audi. 61100.

His Worship the Mayor opened the proceedings, and apologised for being unable to occupy the chair owing to having to attend the Council meeting. During the course of his remarks he stated Mr Brady was the only Rangitikei resident of those seeking election. ‘Mr Hocking who took the chair, in introducing’ the speaker, briefly stated that Mr Brady had been elected the official candidate, and that the Executive Central Committee unanil;lously selected Mr Brady as the candidate of the L.R.C_ »

Mr Brady, on rising to speak received an ovation. He was ‘pleased to see such a large audience present and welcomed it as an indication of I‘rcurring interest in matters pertaining to politics. The last general election was held in December, 1914, during the early stages of the war, and the trying period through which they had passed since then had almost obliterated the memory of that election from people-.’s minds. But as this election draws nearer it is safe to say that public interest will -b-e aroused to fever heat, 2*-for never in the history of New Zealand had there been such an unpopular Gov—ernment as we have had for the last four years. Under their administration the rich have become richer and tlle poor poorer. The country had ‘also for the. first time the advent of -.1 —lar,gc number of labour candidates in the field and he had the honour to be the chosen one for this particular elec--torate. Apparently the present Government can read between the lines, as both the present sitting members who represented this -electorate (Mr Newman and Mr Smith) had ‘raft to seek fields new, thus proving that they consider Labour is going to capture this seat. ‘Mr Brady then criticised the past and present Goveriiniozits, stating that since Mr Seddon,’ who was resposible for Old ‘Age P-eusio.ns, Public Trust, Advance to Settle'.‘s d’.”3. Workers, Superannuatio“. L] 1.9., State Insurances, and State Coal Mines, lmrl died, and Sir .r_ G. Ward, B."-trt., 3.:ui t:>.‘.ml over the reuzs. democracy had died, and as previously stated the rich had become richer and the‘, poor poorer. He then criticised the present voting system, which put Mr Massey into power, although his party secured a minority of Votes. He also condemned Mr Massey, who with the aid of the press and farmers helped the ,Union' Company (one of the ‘biggest monopolies in this country) to beat ‘the workers. Then came the war. and never, stated Mr Brady, had the Govern.ment of the country been more bungled and mismanaged than by the Qealition Government. What right had the Government to en__force the conscription of the body of all able men and let the wealthy go free? He considered all the wealthy and all the poor should have been conscripted, as also should the money of the Wealthy_ He also condemned the Government for allowing the‘-‘lotteries for patriotic funds, canteen scandals, war profits, class legislation and War Regulations, whergby a man was imprisoned for giving free speech to his feelings. He also pointed‘ out the injustice of the National Register, where it stated that the strictest confidence would be given to all matters stated, Yet when the Recruiting Boards travelled the country the information which was given in confidence was revealed. He also pointed out the unfairness of the Appeal Board, where farmers were allowed to remain at home to’ grow wheat at their own price while the worker was sent to the war at 5/ per day. He next touched on the policy of the National Government in extending the length of the term of office. What right had they to hang on to their job in Parliament, like barnacles to a derelict, while the country had to pay them £6 per week? Why, asked Mr Brady, had the Government of New Zealand, which represents a population’ about the size of an English village, to send two delegates to England when we already had a High Commissioner over there who, if not competent to carry on the work there, should ‘be dismissed? He then touched on land aggregation. Why are the Government spending large sums in buying up land and thus sending up the values instead of taxing the large land onwcr, and force him to sell at a reasonable price? Mr Brady also twitted the present Government on their treatment of the housing problem, also the Meat Trust. A few months ago a Commission sat, and after taking considerable evidence, stated that no such Trust was in existence. Yet to—day we see the Government stopping Armour and Co. from exporting meat. , He also considered thatthe high cost of living -was due largely to the shipping, -yet the Gdvernmenl: has bought the Union Company's entire fleet twice over dur~‘

ing the war in chartering vessels. Mr Brady also condemned the present military service as against the interest of the country. The money could be better spent in developing the country, and those cmPIOYOd could be made useful citizens. Mr Brady, speaking on the cost‘ -of living and the worry of the women folk to make both ends meet, produced a skein of wool which cost 1/2‘, and weighed one ounce. The farmer got 1/8 per pound for his wool, yet to buy, after being woven into darning wool, cost 18/8 Dol‘ D01111d; leaving it to the audience to judge wh-'_sl,her or Lo that they were being (.xplo3tea, He also accused the Lib era] ]Qader of stealing the Labour platfol-m_ Mr Brady then outlined the Labour platform which was as follows: (1) Electoral: The adoption of proportional representation one vote one value. Constitution: The abolition of ‘the Legislative 001111" oil, the removal of the disabilities of women, full «civil rights t 0 311 Slate employees. (2) Land: All existing Crown lands to be added to the National Endowmcnt; tenants’ a'bSolUf'3 fight to improVements_ (3) The im-Inc-date establishment of a State 13-ank, establishment of State farms for the purpose of producing the people's fccdsttlffs, State-owned shipping sarvices, State control of all branches or” inst:-ance, dcve'lopm(,nt of our f.)."-33'.‘/.'-.'tZ State coal mines, factories, farms, and il;du.'~:'trial services; that the qua-tion of State control he placed on the bullet paper when the referendum is taken on the liquor question; in the event 01 threo_ or n.-crc issues being placed on the ballot paper voting shall be in order of preference; the extension of public ownership of national utilities and the speedy national con-t--ol of the food supplies ofthe people, V5-'l;r-re national ownership of an Indz:~_try is affected all labour for such industry and at least half the Soard of C(.I‘ltl'0l in each case shall "be zip--I‘.-ointed by the Union or Unions affected. Nationalisation ofi the medical services and free medical attention. (ll) Education. Free secular and compu.!.c.ory (.-ducation from the l":in«l+‘.1-gar-ton to the univc'rsi'ty; uniform .~;r.l1ool books, printed by the Government and smplied free of cost; the rcplacenlollt of all military instruction in schools by instructive education in liumunc thought. (5) Taxation: Increased taxation on unearned incr-emen't's’ and improved land values, increased. graduated income tax with :1 corresponding reduction in indirect taxation for the purpose of removing the present burdens on family incomes. (6) Social: Extension of the pension to cover all incapacitated citizens and widows, and increased rates of‘pensionS. (7) Industrial: The right to work; the full recognition of unionism as the basis of a.rbitra'tion in industrial law. and the consequent membership of all workers engaged in various industries; pcrfect equality between the sexes in every department of life. (8) Defence: Repeal of the Military Service Act, a citizen army on a voluntary basis with standard wages Yvllilo on duty, together with practical measures for the promotion of peace At the conclusion of Mr Brady’sspeech questions were invited, "but apparently critics were satisfied, as none were forthcoming. A vote of thanks and a motion of confidence was then proposed and seconded, and on being put was carried without one disscntient in the hall. On rising to thank the electors Mr Brady received an ovation, and the meeting terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chair.

MR HINE AT H'I_‘RATF()R-D. STRATFORD, this "flay. The Hon. J, B. .Hine, member for Stratford, and Minister for Internal Afl’airs, opened his election campaign last: night. In his address defending the policy of the present ‘Government, ‘Mr Hine took some troufile to prove the falsity of a statement widely made that Mr Massey was responsible for the ‘imposition of the butter tax. He proved that Mr Massey was in England at the time. A resolution of confidence in the present Geovex-fifnent. was passed.