CAMPAIGN BATTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 227, 25 September 1930, Page 10

CAMPAIGN BATTLE.

UNITED PARTY IN WAIPAWA. MR. JULL ADDRESSES LARGE AUDIENCE. TRIBUTE TO P&B1E MINISTER. (By Telegrapn.-*-Press Associatiqn.) WAIPUKURAU, this day. Before a packed audience Mr. A. E. Jull, the United party candidate in the Waipawa by-election, delivered a campaign speech in hi?, home town at Waipawa to-night, Mr. H. Hunt, the Mayor, presiding. The candidate commenced by deploring the death of Sir George Hunter. He said it was 11 years since he (Mr. Jull) had contested tlio "\Vaipawa seat, and ho expressed tlie hope that he would fight the present contest in a friendly spirit. The result of the general election in 1928 in New Zealand caused surprise to Reform supporters, but the result was due to Reform administration, which had developed into an orgy of expenditure and a war debt of £70,000,000, Reform was responsible for having increased the indebtedness of the oountry by £115,000,000, and in spite of borrowing Reform left a deficit, and also an "accumulation of 4000 applications for loans under the Advances to Settlers Act, aggregating in value £4,169,200, many being 18 months and two years in arrears. The late Sir Joseph Ward had inspired the Advance* to Settlers Act, and since the United party assumed office in 1923 it had added £6,000.000 to the funds of the advances to settlers account, and had also made advances aggregating £8,000,000. Land Policy the Test. Sir Joseph*" Ward, the candidate said, in 1928, succeeded in converting £29,000,000 of stock on good terms, the holders receiving £4 15/3 per cent for the full period. Under the heading of new stock an addition loan of £7,000,000 was floated in London at 4$ per cent at

£95, yielding £'1 10/5 to investors. There was a distinct cleavage between the policies of the United and Reiorm parties, in respect of their attitude an the question of land subdivision, Mr. Jull pointed outrtiiatHhe United party had disposed of 2886 Crown holdings on all tenures, comprising 023,000 acres, to June 30 last. Dealing with , railways Mr. Jull said an important matter was that the eonstru.etion, and adminstration return showed/that 3445 miles of railways in the construction programme would fall short of paying the estimated working expenses interest by £737,000 per annum. Included in this was the Napier-Gisborne line, with 12J, miles to complete, showing an estimated annual loss of £253,000. Hβ quoted other non-paying lines, such as Kirikopuni (a loss of £20,000 per annum) and Okaihau (£35,000 per annum). In view of the fact that the year'a operations had resulted in a loss of £1,211,000 it was clear that the gravest attention must bo given to the programme of railway construction, having in mind the developing of the resources of the country, but placing a limit on what the finances of the Dominion could stand. Costly Railways. Mr. Jull said that when the Liberal party left office in 1912 the general manager of railways received a salary of £1200 per annum. During the late Sir William Herries' term as Minister of Railways a new manager from England was appointed at a salary of £3000 for a period of five years. At the end of that term Mr. McViUy was appointed at £3000 a year. He retired on a salary of £2000 to make room for a board of three members, who were appointed to carry on the management, and who a year or so later retired on pensions of £2500. Mr. Coatee later asked Mr. H. H. Sterling to become sole manager for seven years at £3500 per annum and a pension of £2300. The candidate dealt with costly yards equipment, various deviations on the Wellington-Auckland Main Trunk line, also the costly scheme of workshops expenditure.. Though a new station was necessary in Auckland these works would cost £2,000,000. The Wellington reclamation and the Tawa Flat deviation would cost £2,750,000. Fortunately the United party had shut down on the Palmerston North deviation and yards, the authorised expenditure on which was £800,000, and the amount expended £350,000, with no prospect of increased Mr. Jull dealt at length with workshops. 1 and rolling stock of the 'bus service, showing a loss : of. £7,926 last year, due largely to pirate taxi services. Dealing with education, the candidate said -the annual- expenditure was £4,500,000. The Minister, Mr. Atmore, desired to ' Impart an agricultural lias , '-to education, and this was ecessary in a country which, was dependent on primary industries. Mr. Jull stressed the value of the Education Commission's comprehensive report show-1 ing that the system had developed into ■watertight compartments of primary, secondary and technical education, and ■ suggested a large saving in adminstra- i tion by closer co-operation of effort, : Too Much Ammunition. Referring to the ammunition contract, , the candidate contended that the Defence . Department was much hampered by [ a 50-years contract for the supply of , ammunition, calling for a supply of j 5,000,000 rounds annually. Dealing with the new Budget Mr. Jull : said that the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, J had shown courage in placing the Bomhi- ■ ion's financial cards on the table. He contended that unless savings were made additional taxation must be accepted. Mr. Jull referred in detail to taxation and main highways, and briefly to the petrol < tax. He contended that the provisions 1 •of the Unemployment Bill were reason-'.

able, and that they would also serve a number of good purposes. He explained the purpose of, the sustenance fund. Reform desired to delete the fund, but Labour sided with the United party.

Referring to hydro electricity, the candidate showed how he had agitated for Lake Waikaremoana being made the major scheme. The Keform party, however, chose to proceed with Mangahao at enormous expense. It was still hoped that Arapuni, costing over £2,000,000 would not yet be a complete failure. Prime Minister Defended. In a reference to Mr. Forbes , attending the Imperial Conference Mr. Jull said it was unfair and unbecoming of Reform to suggest that the Premier had cleared out leaving the Dominion in an alleged unfinancial condition. Mr. Forbes wa3 highly respected. He did not pose as a superman, but was competent, capable and consistent, being actuated by a desire to serve New Zealand to the best of his ability. Mr. Jull said lie did not seek political honours, but in response to a unanimous request he had decided to stand. If elected he Avould do his best for the electorate. A vote of thanks to the candidate and an expression of confidence in the United party was carried by acclamation.