ELECTIONS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19460, 6 November 1928, Page 15

ELECTIONS.

"WALKING OFF ihe vafd:'

JADING FIGURES.

jp'cOATES EXPLAINS.

tfot F*BSB SpecUl Service.] BTBATPOBD, November 5. i nit inrtead of thousands of men f £u«off the land, there is ac- **£"*- increase in the numbers Employed on the land in the |£S5 period 1921-22 to 1926-27 *u£ded in a »P ecial statement JjJlJTthe Prime Minister, Mr JJJw to-night'

IW-|Ut«n« nt was made in view of I *\!» tist Opposition critics «fllW ta * *" aßßerting that thoU ' *JTm are walking off the land, jHbP« ,lb,e tbat BUCh I )Crßiste,lCo hd some people to 4 thcir *£! w d that one result may be ffect on rural finances. i being made by critics iient of the statistics of lOldings, which show a ,581 during the last four 1922-23 and 1926-27. linister said:/'lt is nt that they should arly period to make this 8 such comparisons are irer five- or ten-yeurly unination of the corresfor years prior to 1922snee discloses the reason that year. In 1922-23 a holdings were at their hers, and if we go furor no decrease is disjr 1922-23 is quite evi«eause it is one which heir argument as to' g off farms. J ral Factors. an rtveral factors which ifiilwft these figures, and it would iJSwexaaiine them a little more year of 1922-23 is the Wmmkm&9 critics. If we go BJsfiafolnwivioiis year we find that HgpJWWS and 1922-23—-in just BPffaftfinitr fignres show an increase Kfijjl'flHpi 10,985. Just prior to that year a special HSfoffAi toned to sub-enuineif tHfta |ke A iaelnsion in their figures and such memHtHfeix'&niues as'were actually HmliflVi'work of the holding. Kg little consideration of the matHbli itaply a eommon-sense interH&ka rf the fignres to believe that a shewn between 1921-W&ym&m-toto t 0 the inclusion llra£«Mpof the occupiers' WmmxSDSsk m the hol( * in S ß year, to 1921effect which any special instruc'BßßP?f)*° 1926 " 27 ' is aSSmHMwdecline in the female males actually jßfgmpttof r 496. That a small |Kilwliiliiillj taken place in mgEKKtifcwG&W is probably l»MPK6ae\entirely tp economic :«MffQMf£lriuc& ithis or any other SmSjUi b>Te f no control. l*MlapWK™ile wool and meat that the susproduce saved the New Zealand did not other farmers, dispense with torn to himself, 6 It is to, be WHrtftt *Vt*~V of women on HBgtnni % is 7 being much hghta«|«pg»;<ttTOded use of milking a most' desirable evoHffiVn 101,889 male emfirms, and in 1926-27 The female em-gHR»-*WO6 and 50' 464 - Milk " over the period gflßlßgtol7.o9o, and the total from 633,345 the year's period 1922-23 chosen by the critics) gMßgga difference in the figures |Bl|r* a *" - Male employees in and m 1926-27 fHg*'lo9.B34, the numbers of «Py 88.430 and 80,464. affecting the posi|H ,«"•• statistics apply only acre or over outside SMSPI* 1, As we all know, boroughs in New Zeaextending their mßjWa baking in areas from |Ben>Mies, while areas adjacent 9BffRP,We also being urbanised areas under one acre. ■Baffly Vea is out into smaller WESS- 01 }? acre . and absorbed vHBeS& ,™tp a borough, that «BSS?wttcs4ly excluded from gHBaSTJ" statistics, thus causWBB9W decrease in the nummg£SE& «wered, and also a de§HKg I s< n ployees to the extent HBBBFTii """""'"'t returned on i IBBgffi.Mldings. At the same I mSV *** being subdivided gHnETSLJ'PK* whkh tend to inImEs. < **? of holdings and emgalßt§3*jn& ■» one or two ex.which have tuken a ; where counties IHflEin? 9 'n'the number of holdKBqJIP we. Joss of areas nbboroughs: Eden nOp?*? Cqnnly, 17 holdings. | .fp | farther controfßjßaSTn'? .°f without further accounting of the « 6 i* aat, ' on can bo oy reference to JBBjSSng xiffl .qnoting the stadecrease of

critics imply that this is an indication that the prosperity of the Dominion is being adversely affected thereby If this were so the fact wonld be immediately reflected in the fignres of the exports of our primary produce. This is the true test as to whether the decrease in the total employees on holdings is really affecting the economic situation of the Dominion adversely or not. "In 1923 o\r exports totalled £45,371,908; in 1927 they amounted to £47,571,233. But on the basis of prices ruling in 1923 they would have amounted to £47,976,302. These figures prove that the increase of over £2,000,000 in 1927, as compared with 1923 was not only not due to increased prices, but i has actually been achieved in the face

of lower prices. "But there is also the further fact to be remembered, that exports represent not the total production, but the surplus productidn after our own local needs have been provided for. Between 1923 and 1927 the population of New Zealand increased by 107,000 (or 8 per cent.), and if the numbers employed on holdings did actually decrease as and to the extent shown by the critics, then it has not affected detrimentally the producing capacity of our occupied holdings. To have during the period effect-

Ed an increase in the volume of primary products exported, in the face of an eight per cent, increase in our own population, is surely a very fine testimony t • the energy and ability of our primary producers, and the best evidence of the sound economic position of the Dominion. The Essential Point. "That this increase in volume of exports betweei. 1023 and 1927 has been of a generally all round charaete- is evidenced by the fignres showing exports of our principal farm commodities, all of which except tallow and rabbitskins show increase in volume.

"Butter increased from 1,250,140 cwt in 1923 to 1,455,773 cwt in 1927. '' Cheese exports from 1,141,460 cwt to 1,492,792 cwt. "Frozen meat from 8.043,910 cwt to 3,364,965 cwt. "Wool from 613,308 bales to 645,254 bales.

"The position may be summed up by realising that various economic forces which no Government can control have been at work. These forces are difficult of separate analysis. .If the farmer is finding that by the use of machinery or otherwise he can obtain as much production by the employment of four men as he previously did with five, who can blame himt The essential and satisfactory point to note is that whatever evolution is taking place, our production is increasing, and our credit stands higher than ever."

PERSONALITIES.

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH CAMPAIGN.

MR ANDREWS AND MR ARCHER.

I Personalities have crept into the Christchurch North election, and at his meeting at the corner of Edgeware and Fitzgerald streets Mast night the United Party candidate, Mr E. H. Andrews, had some strong criticism to offer concerning his opponent, the Rev. J. K. Archer, the Labour candidate. "At the outset of my campaign I expressed the hope that no personalities would be introduced," said Mr Andrews, who went on to state that Mr Archer had seen fit to make personal references .to him on more than one occasion at his meetings. The Reform "candidate, MrH. Holland, he continued; had made the statement at a meeting that he (the speaker) had turned his coat. This was very good coming from a gentleman like Mr Holland, who had himself changed his coat so often that he did not know what Bide o£ it he was wearing to-day. Mr Archer seemed to be talking as if he were fighting a losing battle. At one of his meetings he made the statement that Messrs Flesher, Beanland, and the speaker had gone to the Reform selection ballot in respect of the Kaiapoi seat. Mr Hassallt who /as present at'the meeting, and who, by'the way, was no supporter of the speaker, got up. and corrected Mr Archer, who said that he had been tbld that such was the case,. but he did. not withdraw the statement or apologise for making it.. Mr Archer had also stated that six years ago the speaker was the endorsed candidate of the Protestant Political Association, whereas, the. position was that at that time he stood as an Independent, not being supported by any. Party and not receiving the support of any newspaper. Mr! Archer had stated on another occasion that he would like to be a Mussolini, but he had not yet put forward any constructive policy. The trouble with him was that he was Buffering from a'"sweHed head" as a result of the reeeht Mayoral election.. He thought that the big vote 'at the Mayoral election was meant for him Jnstead of, which it was against his opponent. This amazing parson, who preached the Gospel of Christ on Sundays, went round on week-days vilifying other men. Mr Andrews said that he would not have mentioned the matter, but had to'do so in case people believed Mr Archer's statements concerning him. k i;

Mr Andrews subsequently went to the corner of Bealey avenue and Bealey street, where he repeated his statements. .

REPORM RALLY.

A Reform rally will be held in the Town Hall, Rangiora, on Saturday evening next, when the speakers will be the Hon. Mr Rolleston, and Mr Leslie R. C. Macfarlane, Government candidate for Hurunui.

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

(PEKSS ASSOCIATION TELEOSAH.) WELLINGTON, November 5.

The Leader of the United Party, Sir Joseph Ward, left Wellington to-night for the south, in continuation of his election campaign. His next speech will be delivered at Invercargill on Thursday night. He is reported to have completely recovered from his eye trouble.

THE LABOUR LEADER.

(PBtSS ASSOOATIOH TELBOBAU.)

OHAKUNE, November 5. Mr H. E. Holland,. Leader of the Opposition, addressed a crowded meeting at Raetihi this evening. He was received with cheers as he mounted tne stage accompanied by his daughter. 0.0 severely criticised the Government for alleged sins of omission and e. 0 "* 0 ?} 8 " sion. He dealt aggressively with, the Government's handling of land aggregation, soldiers' settlement, 'disabled soldiers, and income-tax questions. After outlining the Labour Party's platform he appealed for support for the Labour candidate in Waimarino. -He was accorded a vote of confidence, which was carried with cheers. ~