"GOT THE GOODS."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 261, 3 November 1928, Page 13

"GOT THE GOODS."

UNITED PARTY'S CLAIM.

MERRY MIGHT IN CITY

CENTRAL.

MR. HEWITT AVOIDS LABOUR'S

POLICY,

Refraining from criticism of the Labour platform, Mr. W. C. Hewitt carried the United banner into the Labour stronghold of Auckland Central last night, when he delivered his first address m St. James' Hall. At times the meeting was uproarious, and the chairman Mr. Percy McElwain, advised various noisy members of the large audience to "shut up and sit down." On the whole, however, Mr. Hewitt was given a fair hearing, and he was kept busy for over an hour answering questions. At the close a vote of thanks and confidence was declared carried on a show of hands, but the decision was hooted loudly, and there were vociferous cheers for "Labour and Bill Parry."

Reform's Confidence Trick. "The policy of the United party is the most progressive ever placed before the electors of the Dominion. We've got the | oods — an d the people know it!" was Mr. Hewitt's vigorous opening. He thanked Mr. W. E. Parry, Labour candidate, for having asked Labour supporters to fight in a clean and aboveboard manner, worthy of the Labour movement. "I'll reciprocate," said Mr. Hewitt, "and fight clean always!" (Loud applause.) When the rich grew richer and the poor grew poorer, one realised that the country was not enjoying government of the people by the people, said Mr. Hewitt. It was a case of government of the people by the wealthy classes. The United party would change that state of affairs. The 1925 general election was won on the cry of "Coates and confidence!" This time there would be no confidence tricks. They wouldn't work. (Foot-stamping.) Failure of Reform.

The candidate, criticising Reform's immigration policy, said the unrestricted plan of immigrants was one of the chief causes of unemployment. It would not have been so bad had there been a land settlement policy. There was no policy and no settlement. State interference in private business had caused much dissatisfaction, and had contributed to unemployment. Reform bad done little to alleviate unemployment. The Government's mental attitude towards the man who would not take pick and shovel work was that he was a waster. That was unfair, as many were unsuited to labouring work. Mr. Hewitt said he had visited a number of Public Works camps, and'among the men he had not heard one word of English. That told its own tale. Loud cries of "Hear, hear!" at the rear of the hall. A Voice: Yah! Coates! Mr. Hewitt went on to show how taxation had been increased in the case Df the small man, and decreased as far is the wealthy man was concerned. The Government had promised liberal advances to workers, but as things stood applicants had to wait two years before they received a loan. Mr. Hewitt said a man who could wait two years for a loan could afford to do without it altogether. A Voice: Not necessarily. There was too much government by Order-in-Council. The Attorney-General had a little too much to say in the government of New Zealand. Mr. Hewitt said some people attempted to ridicule Sir Joseph Ward's £70,000,000 borrowing proposals. They said *the scheme could, not be carried into effect. Sir Joseph was a financier of world-wide reputation. He had the best brains of any man who had been a member of the Government of New Zealand. (Applause and foot-stamping.) "What Sir Joseph Ward says he can do I'm prepared to believe." There was a considerable amount of noise when the candidate mentioned that there was plenty of land awaiting settlement. "Civic Square!" came a voice, and various cemeteries were mentioned. "What farming have you had V came rumbling from the back. Mr. Hewitt: I've lost hundreds and hundreds of pounds farming pumice land —(laughter)—but I know how to farm them now, and I can take you to the places where it ,has been done successfully. This pumice land can be worked 365 days an the year.

A Voice: You worked it?— Yes. i Not 365 days in the year? < Yes, and 366 in leap year! (Langhter.) i Repayment of the Loan. The- candidate traversed the whole of the United party's policy, devoting three or four minutes to each of the various items. There were anomalies at the present time as far as pensions were con- ; cerned. People were not encouraged to be thrifty, because those who had saved a little were penalised when they reached an age when they should be given the old age peasion. An Interjector: Oh, you would take it off somewhere else. You have got to pay for the £70,000,000 somehow. "The working class are the thinkers of to-day," concluded Mr. Hewitt. A Voice: The mugs! They are having a hard time. Question time came at 8.45. Mr. Hewitt was asked how the interest on £70,000,000 could be found if taxation was to be reduced, Customs duties reduced, and concessions given in other directions. Money from the loan devoted to railways construction would be revenue producing, said the candidate. That would pay for itself. Money spent on land settlement would be interestbearing. No taxation would be required. A woman asked Mr. Hewitt if he would vote with the Labour leader to put Mr. Coates out, and the candidate said he would. __ "Then why are you opposing the official Labour candidate?" Mr. Hewitt: Well, I would vote with the Labour leader on 7 a no-confidence motion, but I am not prepared to—anyhow, you will find the United party will be on the Treasury benches after the general election. (Applause and laughter.) The candidate said he was not in favour of a referendum on the Bible-in-schools question. (Applause.) It was contrary to British principles toot an. section of tie people should force their views in a religious matter on the* minority. As a member of the.Church of England he respected the Bible, and thought highly of it as literature. "1 am not a supporter of Prohibition, was his direct answer to another question. "I believe liquor should -fee controlled. I'm a supporter of true temperance." He also thought it would be a good idea if hotels closed in conformity with the provisiona of the Shops and Offices Act. .._.._.. -