WAIRARAPA SEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1938, Page 9

WAIRARAPA SEAT

ADDRESSES BY MR B. ROBERTS DEFENCE OF GUARANTEED PRICE. HEALTH & OTHER SCHEMES. (“Times-Age” Special.) Large and enthusiastic audiences met Mr Ben Roberts, Labour candidate for the Wairarapa constituency, at Cross Creek, Kahutara and Waiorongamai at a series of meetings arranged in the interests of his candidature. In dealing with the Government’s health and security scheme, Mr Roberts pointed out and submitted official figures to prove that 91 per cent of the people were dependent on some form of support other than their own, on reaching retiring age. He claimed that the Labour Government was, for the first time in New Zealand’s history, giving our people an opportunity to place themselves in a position of comparative comfort and security when inability to work, through disability or old age overtook them. The medical side of the proposals would prove of wonderful value to the people generally and the farming community in particular, Mr Roberts declared. The settler living at a distance from medical aid had always in the past had to face burdensome charges should sickness overtake him or his family. Everything was provided in this Act and by comparison, the National Party’s proposals as an alternative to Labour’s were ludicious.

In dealing with the guaranteed price for dairy produce. Mr Roberts exhibited a chart which set out what the farmer was to gain this season under what he called this most beneficial scheme. Tie farmer was facing, from all appearances, a ' good productive season, Mr Roberts said, and most certainly a price that should liberally reward him for his labours. As a practical farmer, Mr Roberts asserted that the guaranteed price had won all but the most bigoted of agriculturalists to the banner of the Labour Party. Mr Roberts proceeded to deal with the question of the control of the Wairarapa rivers and the Wairarapa Lake. The Hon. R. Semple proposed during the next few years, he said, to spend five millions of money on putting New Zealand’s rivers under control. What would this mean to the settlers occupying and owning land affected by flood water? Erosion was proceeding at an alarming rate, and much good land was being lost beyond recall. Mr Semple would not only spend this money on. river control, but by using the most up-to-date machinery and methods, spend that money most effectively. Mr Roberts appealed to his audiences to see to it that the county councils and river boards in the Wairarapa got together and formulated schemes whereby this great problem could be tackled. He could not possibly do the job of preparing a comprehensive scheme himself, but should the local bodies do so, he was sure that this wide area would soon receive the attention of the Department controlled by the Minister for Public Works. In referring to the proposed tunnelling of the Rimutakas, Mr Roberts said that an agitation in favour of the project was started many years ago. Not one of the past governments during those years would face the responsibility, however. He was glad that, in conjunction with Mr J. Robertson, member for Masterton, he had been able to convince Cabinet that New Zealand, and the Wairarapa especially, would gain much by the provision of easier and quicker access to the vast resources of the Wairarapa Valley. Mr Roberts was accorded a very attentive hearing and promises of help and support were generously forthcoming at all his meetings.