MARSDEN CONTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 269, 13 November 1928, Page 12

MARSDEN CONTEST.

IJNITEB CAIfDIDATE'S POLICY.

ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WHAXGARKI, Monday.

The United candidate for the Marsden seat, Mr. A. J. Murdoch, received an exceedingly cordial welcome from a large audience in the Town Hall this evening, and after an interesting address, which, - was enthusiastically applauded, he.was accorded a vote of confidence by acclamation.

The election, said Mr. Murdoch, would this time be decided on the merits of the individual and not by a "Coates wave." He explained the policy of the United party, and defended Sir Joseph' Ward's borrowing proposal. The main difference between the policy of the Reform party and that of the United party was that the United party's policy aimed at a definite land settlement scheme.

Dealing with the unemployment problem, Mr. Murdoch said that the lteform candidate had claimed that while there were 13,000 fewer people on the laud they were not fanners, but evidently people not required on account of the introduction of machinery. If this was ao why had the Keforui party always claimed that it was endeavouring to introduce agricultural immigrarivts ?

The candidate said it was unfortunate that the Government had not adhered to the policy brought in by Mr. Cofttes when Minister of Public Works, was that no'new branch lines would 'be undertaken until reports had been submitted by the Public Works, Lands and Agricultural , Departments, that the proponed branch line* had reasonable pro.3ptets qf paying. This policy had not been adhered to, as was evidenced by the Kirikopuni-Dargaville section and the Rotorua-Taupo line. The present motor competition indicated that the position of branch lines would have to be reviewed with perhaps the possibility of scrapping some of them.

- Mr. jlprdoch said he was not in favour or" the "first past the post system/,. Hβ favoured , preferential voting so as to get majority rule. He also .considered an elective Upper House, consisting of 20 members, preferable to the present nominated system of 40 members. He advocated the increasing of the old age pension to £1 a week, *ad the removal of the earning restrictions. ■ : ; i i.l / ' '~ , r i-;.f* answer to questions, the candidate eai4 he ;ijras in,layour p£ aaylight savHβ was also in favour of preferential vottog on the tjSuree licensing issues. If a no-confidence motion were moved by Mr. Holland, he would not support-it. . A vote of thanks and confidence was carried by acclamation. " ""■ " "'