CAMPAIGN NOTES

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19459, 5 November 1928, Page 15

CAMPAIGN NOTES

"The Zoological Party." "My United Party opponent, Mr B. W. Hawke, has described his Party as a combination of political beliefs. " I shall call it the Zoological Party—the Party comprising various specimens, said Mr J. A. Flesher at Papanui on Saturday night. Vote-splitting. The Hon. Mr Wright (Minister for Education) was asked at Brooklyn whether there was any possibility of getting over the difficulty of two of a class standing for the same seat? "While," said the questioner, "they are fighting for a majority vote the other man comes along and scoops the pool, although he does so on a minority vote. Could not-something be done in Parliament to stop that sort of thing! Mr Wright said that the problem was a very difficult one, but it was hard o see what could be done to stop it. A second ballot had been tried in New Zealand, but • coming out to vote twice did not find favour with the public, and the second ballot had to be repealed, inere is 110 doubt that two candidates standing for practically the same P e , 3 cause vote-splitting," added Mr Wrig , "but, fortunately, it is not very often that such a thing happens." Well Treated. Speaking at Papanui on Saturday evening, Mr J. A. Flesher, Reform candidate, dealt with the record of the Advances Department under the Government. "They call this a farmers' Government," he said, "but in the matter of advances for homes the workers have been treated just twice as well as the man on the land." Rebuilding Schools. In reply to a question put to him at Aro street, Sir John Luke, Reform candidate for Wellington North, said that he would use his influence and give his vote for rebuilding unsuitable schools without further delay. He also stated that, provided it was of a reasonable character, he would support with voice, and vote, any necessary increase in expenditure on education. Daylight Saving. At question time at the Papanui School on Saturday evening Mr J. A. Flesher was asked his attitude to daylight saving. "Well, last summer," ho said, "I felt tired all the time. There are more people to consider thau the city-dwellfrs. Perhaps the half-hour will fill tli j bill, but I would like to suspend judgment until the trial now in progress comes to an end." A Labour Admission. The Government proposed to remove slums and provide finance for building houses for wage-earners, said Mr CL 0. Chapman, Labour candidate for Wellington North. One had to admit that something had been done in that respect. Some houses had been built ana a considerable sum advanced to those requiring houses for themselves, but not to the extenj; that they wished to see, Man on the Land. "Thousands of people are supposed to be walking off the land," said Mr J. A. Flesher at Papanui. "The statement is simply not true, as page 409 of the last Year Book will show anybody who takes the trouble to study the figures. Anyone who studies the position without prejudice will come to the conclusion that it ib a wilful misstatement." Missed Again. "Mr W. A. Veitch assured his audience at a recent meeting that 'he would be a Minister of the Cabinet of the United Party.' Quite so—we know that is what Mr Veitch is aiming at—but he has draws too long a bow and missed. Had he been faithful to any one of his many political loves he might have got there, but politically he is too fickle, and therefore has lost his equilibrium and his opportunity. "—Wanganui "Chronicle." "Not Very United." "This so-called United Party is not very united now," remarked Mr J. A. Flesher at his Papanui meeting on Saturday evening. "Candidates are withdrawing, and others are decrying the policy of their leader." The "Veitcher" of Bray. An incident at Mr W. A. Veitch's Palmerston North meeting:— A voice: Will you tell us how many banners you have gone to Parliament under? Mr Veitch: One. A voice: How many times have you corkscrewed? Mr Veitch: I might know you 10" years, and never need a corkscrew. (Laughter.) A voice: Didn't you go in as a Labour candidate? Mr Veitch: Yes; I hived oft and became Independent when the # extreme element came in.,. Then I joined the Liberal Part£ but still enunciate the same policy I held when I first -went into Parliament. (Laughter.) On No-Oonfldence Motions. "Anybody who will vote with labour on a no-confidence motion —United Party member or anyone else—should join Labour," was an opinion expressed by Mr J. A. Flesher on Saturday evening. Millions and Depression. The United Party's borrowing policy was criticised by Mr A. S. Richards, Labour candidate for Roskill. The candidate said it was recorded in Hansard, in 1927, that Sir Joseph Ward had strongly condemned the borrowing of £5,000,000 annually by the Govern ment. Yet the United Party _ leader now advocated the borrowing of £7,000,000 to £8,000,000 yearly. If, as Sir Joseph Ward had contended, five millions annually was too big a loan burden for New Zealand, how were they to reconcile the greater loan now recommended. The false prosperity caused by Sir Joseph Ward's loan would be followed by another long and painful depression, said the speaker. In 1000 Tears. After referring to tlie Uniteds as a conglomeration of individuals, Mr Vivian Potter, at a meeting at Epsom, said he would speak of the Labour Party. A voice: Soon to be the Government party. , . Mr Potter: Remember the Scriptural advice about 1000 years. (Laughter and applause.) . Further interjections made it difficult for Mr Potter to proceed, and he offered an interjector five minutes on the platform. The interjector: It will take more than five minutes to say what I think of you. Mr Potter: Of course. No man could deal with all my good qualities in five minutes. (Applause.) _ . The speaker was dealing with Labour's land policy when he was interrupted with "I don't think so." _ Mr Potter: You've got another think coming to you, and you're not the only member of the Labour Party who does not think. To a man who said that more production was needed, Mr Potter replied. "Well, go and help the farmer produce it instead of sitting there like a cackling hen."