"POLITICAL BRIBERY."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 248, 19 October 1928, Page 9

"POLITICAL BRIBERY."

CHARGE AGAINST REFORM.

MB. GREVUiXiE STARTS.

THE RACE FOR WAITEMATA.

In opening his campaign before t crowded meeting at Northcote last night Mr. R. H. Greville, the official Unitec party candidate for Waitemata, enter tained the audience with a trenchani criticism ot Reform administration, anc brought charges of political bribers against that party, his allegations being based upon a report of a speed by the Hon. O. J. Hawken. Min ister of Agriculture, whicfi appeared in the "Newsletter," the official Reform journal. This was to th( effect that if the Government abolishec the duties on flour its southern mem' bers would not be returned to Parliament. "The outstanding statement wat made by the Minister that the Reforn party would go to pieces if it interfered with the wheat duties. That is an illuminating example of the Reform Government placing party first and th( country second," Baid Mr. Greville. Tht candidate said that the United partj favoured protection of industries, but il would not do so simply for the purpose of getting men into Parliament. If the United party was placed in power it would immediately take steps to reduce the cost of living. The "Loud Speaker." "The loud speaker* of the Government, the Hon. A. D. McLeod," said Mr. Greville, "said recently that the saturation point had been reached in respeel to one man farms. Really, the lack oi a land policy on the part of the Government is appalling. Reform's land settlement efforts have proved fallacious. Look at the soldiers they placed on farms. Hundreds of them have been compelled to walk off their farms, at a total loss of £6,000,000." This was a remarkable fulfillment of Sir Joseph Ward's prophecy. Compulsory acquisition of land, payment for which would be in bonds, was advocated by the United party, said the speaker. The object of this was to prevent aggregation and promote settlement. As to tenure, this would be optional to suit each individual settler. Sir Joseph Ward's "bold and enterprising" policy of borrowing £70,000,000 for land settlement and the completion of railway lines, was next referred to. This Mr. Greville considered to be a sound suggestion, for it would make it possible for settlement on the land on either the deferred payment system, lease in perpetuity, occupation with right of purchase, or cash payment for freehold, to be stimulated without cost to taxpayers. The incidence of taxation would be revised by the United party, while Customs duties and income tax would also be revised. Unemployment and Transport. One of the causes of unemployment was the Government's senseless immigration policy. Mr. Greville added that in order to remedy the present bad position, it was absolutely necessary to settle virgin land and complete the main railways. Touching on transport, Mr. Greville said he was not an advocate of scrapping the railways, but he thought that caution should be exercised in any further extensions, in view of the changes occurring in modern systems of transport. The candidate strongly criticised the Government for its interference in business. Its administration of transport matters had resulted in a state of chaos by the passing of the motor bus regulations and other legislation. "This pernicious system of government by Order-in-Council should be stopped," he said. (Applause.) Specific instances of businesses being interfered with in over 30 cases were given by the 1928 committee of business men. Government interference with the timber business had absolutely ruined the export trade with Australia, and thrown 6000 men out of employment, besides bringing financial ruin to many companies. Mr. H. Goldie estimated that it would take at least ten years to get this trade hack. Interference by the Government in dairy control had resulted in a loss of £2,000.000 to the farmers. "And vet the cry of Reform is 'More business' in Government—less Government in business.'" (Laughter.) industries and Education. Concerning secondary industries, Mr. Grevihe said that it was the policy of the United party to encourage these by subsidies, rather than by high protective duties, which only had the effect of raising the cost of living. The State should not enter as a competitor where private enterprise was carrying out services in a satisfactory manner, but where public facilities were leijuired wliio'i were not being catered for, then, purhaps, the duty of doing so might be catt upon the State. ° Increased facilities for children to learn farming and trades, so that the thousands of young people who left schoo, each year should find suitable employment, and smaller school classes, not exceeding 45 pupils to each teacher, were points in the United party J platform. Mr. Greville favouied t\,o abolition of the present system oi night and day parades for defence preparation. "Put these youths in a fortnight's camp each year where they would get physical instruction—thai will help to set them up." (Applause.) "The present system is farcical, and gives mu h opportunity for larrikinism." (Hear, hear, and more applause.) In answer to an interrupter, Mr. Greville said that he would vote with any party in order to put Reform out of power. This statement was received with prolonged applause. "The Reform candidate has accused his own party of political corruption by putting money into the pockets of its political friends." said Mr. Greville. "And yet Mr. Harris was going to vote with them on a noconfidence motion." (Laughter.) In closing Mr. Greville said they all knew that he was a staunch supporter of the harbour bridge proposal. The grant of £500 recently made by the Government for preliminary investigations, he said, was largely due to his efforts. During the past year he had throughly organised the Bridge Association, and it was his programme upon which they had acted. "The greater part of the propaganda work was carried out by myself," said Mr. Greville, who added that the sitting member had asked for £5000 for the bridge, 'without the authority of the association.

Mr. Greville, who was in good fighting form throughout the whole of his address, was greeted with prolonged applause. His answers to numerous questions were so satisfactory that the candidate was accorded a special vote of thanks for his straightforward and unhesitating replies. The meeting, over which the Mayor, Mr. A. E. Greenslade presided, also carried a unanimous vote of thanks for the address, and of confidence In Mr. Greville as candidate for Waitemata.