ROTORUA.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 246, 17 October 1928, Page 8

ROTORUA.

MR. HOCKEY DEFENDS REFORM

NEW RAILWAY JUSTIFIED.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

ROTORUA, Tuesday, . Mr. F. F. Hockly, 31.P. for. Rotorua. opened his election campaign by addressing a meeting in the King's Theatre. Mr. J. N. McLean presided, and the audience gave Mr. Hockly a vote of thanks and confidence.

Mr. Hockly said he had (lone tlie best lie could for his constituents. He had done his duty to every elector, whether they had beeu for or against him. He was approachable at all times by m?m;bers of every party. The only pledge lie woufd give was to vote for the present Government in the event of a vote I: ofno-confidence. , •The only parties that might louk for any success, said Mr. Hockly, ! form and labour. The Libera^a 'spent force all the world ovel?.v.-, 3Hb, did inot think New Zealand was -ready-fct a iEabour Government. ... • \ iv!-'.

: '' Referring to the Rotorua-Taupo railway, Mr. Hockly said it wx>rild open the largest block of arable ,New Zealand. He predicted that yiis railway would help the RotoruaT - district ffreatly.' He was sure, tliri .line ,would be pushed on to a completion,"- A 'surn of £80,000 had been placed on, the Estimates for the work this year. The railway would tap the natural and manmade forest, and would aUp. open'over "2,000.000 acres of land. • • .

[ Defending the Government's 'land i policy, Mr. Hockly denied that thousands [of : .men had walked their farms. The position of farmers was better than it had been for gome time, but the time had arrived when a forward movwcr.t should be made. Referring then to farmers' finance, lie mentioned the scheme for long-term mortgages, and said no better terms could be obtained than from the State Advances Office. The Labour Leader, Mr. H. E.,Holland, said they wanted cheap , money for farmers. He agreed, but where Were they to get the money from? Money had its value as everything'eli?fc likd. The Government had done 4verytifeg in its power in the matter. ' » !■£s., It was his opinion that- beforeUatiy more land was taken for affbre»tat|on there shjiuld be a thorough exa"mirii'tsf>n made tb sec that no land thafrvcas'fsvit«We for aCTicultural purposes given oyer.to-forests, r - ' '■>' r ; --;.vly'.' :L ■ i Hockly said. .when the length of; Parliament# ejioiild be be,longer. Hews|.not in>favour'pf'the proposal of the by 10 per cent for lO years tlie profcEctive duties that how operate in jfthe- secondary industries. - i Hjfej Sftas strongly in favour of theV 'Vpte.j*j)f £1,000 000 which New Zealnrid wai'gjving toward the Singapore Dock. i ;