RAGLAN ELECTION

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19112, 22 September 1927, Page 8

RAGLAN ELECTION

MR M'LEOD'S VISIT.

MR H. E. HOLLAND ANXIOUS

[THE PRESS Special Serrlce.]

•WELLINGTON, September 21

The appearance in tho ltaglau political arena of the Hon. Mr McLeod, a prominent member of tho Cabinet, evi--dentlv is Riving tho Leader of tho Labour Party some concern. Iu tho House of Representatives to-,l-iv Air H. E. Holland quoted iiom a Press"" Association report a statement tint Mr McLeod had arrived at M aiuku and had said that he was dej'g 1 ' 1 " I the present condition of th and liad remarked, upon S denco of >"» top-dressing of to land The Minister, according to the message had also received deputations rS interest. Mr Holland asked the Prime Minister whetner h ® cd of a Minister's going into tho electorate when a by-election was proceeding, hearing deputations an making promises to those deputations during tho course of a by-election. The Prime Minister: It is pait ot the Minister's office and duty. Mr Holland: In the course of a t>jMinister: If not, it wo mean that a Minister could not take part in a by-election. A Government member: Or a uen eral Election, either! The Prime Minister: Or any election. It is for a Minister to place himself at the disposal of the public Jrio cannot help it. I think tho last thin,, he would desire would be to be interviewed during a by-election. Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland Central). It's a bad principle, though. The Prime Minister: How on eartn, then, is a Minister going to take part in a by-election? If there are local bodies and others desirous of transacting business with him, who choose to place their vieiws before him at that particular time, it is a matter of common courtesy for him to meet them. Mr H. Atmore (Nelson): What did Mr McLeod go to Raglan for? The Prime Minister : He went to Raglan to discuss politics. That is quite honest, and straightforward. He is there to do that. Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunui): He will onlv discuss one side of politics. The Prime Minister: That is so—the only side of politics that can appeal to a reasonable community such as Raglan. (Hear, hear.) Tho .Minister for Lands is the' very last person who would take advantage of his present visit to give any promises that are likely to affect the electors. (Hear, hear.} T think I can sa-y quite definitely that no Minister who knows his responsibilities would, during a by-elec-tion or a general election, make promises that could be. construed to infill enet* votes. A member: Remember Taurangat