POLITICAL BRIBERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 257, 30 October 1928, Page 9

POLITICAL BRIBERY.

WHEATGROWERS AND MINISTER. MR. DONALD GOING STRONG. BIG PARNELL MEETING. "The United candidate for Auckland East, Mr. J. B. Donald, had a most successful meeting in Parnell last night, St. Mary's schoolroom being packed to the doors. There was not a single hostile interjection, and at the conclusion of his address Mr. Donald was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. This was carried unanimously, and those present pledged themselves to endeavour to secure his election. Dr. Horton presided. Mr. Donald spoke of the £18,000 surplus which had been disclosed by the Reform Government. He said that if all the accounts due had been included, amounting to over £700,000, a very serious position would have been shown. "It is very easy to manufacture a surplus if you do not adhere to strict business principles," he said amidst applause. Referring to the big increase in expenditure during the past three years, the speaker stated that close on £1,000,000 had been over-expended last year by various Government departments. It could be readily seen that a change of Government was absolutely essential. (Applause.) "Both Reform and Labour will tell you that they are the only two parties in this election," said Mr. Donald, "but I might tell you that they are both very anxious. That's why they are talking such rot. The Government will be very lucky indeed if they return with 55 members." A Voice: Too many. "Yes, they are going to get a shock when they Bee the numbers go up," said Mr. Donald. "In some electorates Reform is putting candidates in the field who will lose their deposits. Some of these men have no hope. It is just an election trick to try and keep United out of it, but I have faith in the people of New Zealand, and know that they will realise the trick." (Applause.) The candidate then dealt with unemployment, immigration, United's land policy, while he also strongly criticised the Mental Defective Bill which had been put through by Reform at the last session.

In conclusion, Mr. Donald said that he was not in favour of political bribery. He referred to the statement made by the Hon. O. J. Hawken, Minister of Agriculture, published in "The Uewsletter," in which Mr. Hawken placed the duty on flour, as he said himself, to secure the votes of southern wheatgrowers. (Cries of "Shame!")