UNITED'S LEGISLATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 101, 1 May 1930, Page 8

UNITED'S LEGISLATION.

CHALLENGE TO REFORM. WHAT WOULD YOU REPEAL ? ME. RANSOM'S FIGHTING SPEECH. "Instead of- making these sweeping assertions that our enactments are injurious to the people of the Dominion, let Mr. Wright and Mr. Coates get up and say which particular Act they would repeal. I challenge Mr. Coates, • anywhere he likes to speak, to state definitely which Act passed last session lie is willing to repeal. It will be the end of him if he does. If lie is not willing to repeal them, they must be good." Thus, in a convincing speech to Parnell electors in St. Mary's Church Hall last evening, did the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, defend the legislation passed by the United party since it assumed office. The Minister, in reviewing the work of the Government, was accorded an appreciative hearing by an audience which filled the hall to capacity. Dr. W. Beattie presided, and with Mr. Ransom on the platform were the United party candidate, Mr. W. A. Donald, the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stalhvorthy, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. J. B. Donald.

Mr. Ransom declared that the Reform party had never dared to repeal legislation placed on the Statute Books by the Liberal party, which it succeeded. On the other hand the United party had added considerably to the old and fine Liberal enactments in the brief time it had held office. "Kept Our Promises." "We have kept our promises, and kept them right up to the fullest possible limit," Mr. Ransom said. "We are not ashamed of them, and we are prepared to stand up to them to-day." (Applause.) Mr. Ransom said he was not present to speak on behalf of Mr. Donald, as he was capable of conducting his own campaign, but to show the electors that the United party was worthy of their confidence. At the general election Mr. Coates had said that political parties must be judged not by promises but by performances. "We as a party are willing to be judged on the fulfilment of our promises during one short session." Taxation of Big Landowners. Referring' to the facility with which the United party had at once "got into the collar," Mr. Ransom pointed to the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill as an instance of approved legislation. After explaining what led up to it, he quoted three instances where wealthy farmers had been compelled to pay greater taxation under the present system than formerly. Whereas previously they were collectively paying £1063, under the super-land tax they were now paying £7233, or an increase of £5370. A Voice: That's the stuff to give them. As had been anticipated, said Mr. Ransom, the passing of the bill had been responsible for the sub-division of many large estates. He would suggest that large landowners get to work early as there might be further amendments still, to deal with owners of unencumbered properties below the £14,000 limit, who were paying remarkably little taxation. Land Development. The Land Development Act, 1929, was cited by Mr. Ransom as a further sample of beneficial legislation passed last session. Under that Act, ho said, it was possible to assist Crown tenants with the development of their lands, and to overcome difficulties relative to deteriorated areas. The Reform administration had remitted rent for a period of years oij deteriorated land, providing it was put into fertilisers, but the wiser course to adopt was to pass legislation obviating that sacrifice. Accordingly, realising the weakness of the existing legislation, the United party decided that., where CrowJi tenants were requiring substantial advances, in the opinion of competent judges, .they would be able to receive it up to 90 per cent of the improvements they proposed effecting. Money so advanced could bo secured

to the value of £1250. The. board set up -to consider the cases of farmers was a competent one and would be able to give valuable assistance in directing the expenditure of the money. Thus, under the policy that had been adopted, Crown tenants would be aided on to their feet. In addition to paying attention to the requirements of its tenants, the Government would provide funds for breaking in Crown land, and make it partially available for settlement before allotment took place. Facilitating Advances. Answering criticism concerning the administration of the State Advances Department, Mr. Ransom said that when the Government took office the work of the Department was 18 months in arrears for the reason that it had been starved of funds. Sir Joseph Ward, however, had remedied the position by making millions of pounds available during the past 12 months. Workers had been supplied with homes and farmers with necessary capital. "We have been told —and it is the only thing I am prepared to admit—that the Government has not been able to keep right up to the essence of its promises in respect to the State Advances Department," said Mr. Ransom. Sir Joseph Ward had not been able to revert to the 4J per cent interest rate, but he had been responsible for raising loans for 3 per cent and oA per cent, and they had enabled thte Department to allow money on advances at s;f per cent interest, when other institutions were asking 1 per cent more. A brief address was given by Mr. Donald. He said that if returned to Parliament he would reserve the right to criticise where criticism was due, but after hearing Mr. Forbes and Mr. Ransom speak, he believed he would have no grounds for criticism. After numerous questions had bean answered, Mr. Ransom was thanked for his address, and the candidate was accorded a vote of confidence.