MR. RODERICK McKENZIE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1932, Page 6

MR. RODERICK McKENZIE.

CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NELSON, Friday.

The Hon. R- McKenzie, Independent Liberal-Labour candidate, in opening his campaign, stated the reasons why he opposed the present Government. He said the Government proposed" to interfere with the currency of the country and form a Federal State Bank. The country was already well served by commercial banks. He opposed the present treatment of public servants and would have supported a graduated cut on the salaries of higher-paid officials, but the ordinary servants could not afford a 15 per cent cut. The Government had no public works policy to speak of to-day, but Ministers were great schemers and also great bunglers. The candidate opposed the railway policy and the building of bituminised roads alongside railways, and considered the Government should tax lorries so that they could not compete with State railways. "How could working people be expected to support 100,000 unemployed as at present?" the speaker asked. There were plenty of opportunities for opening up country to provide work for every man and woman. The Government had started on the wrong track with the unemployment question. He supported some of the Government public works proposals, but not many, and if elected he would give members a piece of his mind, also some directions to follow.