CAMPAIGN NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26513, 30 August 1951, Page 8

CAMPAIGN NOTES

Political Forecast “After September 1 Mr Holland will not even be Leader of the Opposition because he will not be in the House,” said Mr P. G. Connolly (Labour, Dunedin Central). “Mr Holyoake will be the next Leader of the Opposition, while Mr Holland will be New Zealand’s only living ex-Prime Minister,” School Building r s T P ea , kin g at Sumner last evening Mr J. K. McAlpine, National Party candidate for Seiwyn, alleged that neglect of the South Island by the Government was a “theme song” of Mr T. H. McCombs, the Labour Party candidate for Lyttelton. Mr McAlpine said that more than double the number of schools or schoolrooms had been built in the South Island in the first complete year of office of the National Government, in comparison with the three previous complete years when Mr McCombs had been in office as Minister of Education. Mr McAlpine said that in the years 1946, 1947, and 1948 an average of 43i schools or schoolrooms had been built, while in 1950-51 97 had been built. Policy Muddled

“During the last few weeks I have received quite a number of inquiries as to what is meant in certain parts of the National Party’s policy. Why ask me and not Mr Holland? Apparently they think the policy muddled.” —Mr R. M. Macfarlane (Labour, Christchurch Central). For Women

“If I have a hand in bringing down legislation I will spare no mental or physical effort to stop the abuses of drinking, stop another war, and protect the interests of the women and children. I believe in upholding these causes, because, as a woman, they are nearest and dearest to my heart”—Mrs A. Schumacher (National, Christchurch Central). Korean Material

“Much of the material being used in the Korean war was bought in the time of and paid for bv the Labour Government.”—Mr A. H. Nordmeyer (Labour. Brooklyn). No Vote of Thanks It had been said that the Labour Party had started its election campaign with nothing in the kitty, but that money was now rolling in. “We have not heard of a vote of thanks to the National Government for the improvement in their finances,” said Mr H. R. Lake, National Party candidate for Lyttelton, speaking at Sumner. Election Issues “The Holland Government claims that this election is being fought on the Question of the waterfront dispute. The Labour leaders say it is a cost-of-living election. The Communist Party asserts that the real issue is whether our country is to be set firmly on the path of peaceful construction or whether it is to be dragged into a third world war.”—Mr J. Hannan (Communist, Mornington).

Going to the Country Discussing the National Government’s decision to go to the country at a meeting at Sumner, Mr H. R. Lake. National Party candidate for Lyttelton, remarked: “Who has ever heard of a socialist Government going to the country before its allotted term? In Britain they have a majority of only four or five alive and kicking and four or five in hospital, and when there is a division thfy bring them along in taxis.' ‘'Muzzled" Press

“The press was muzzled during the strike. For five months the press in New Zealand was cribbed, cabined and confined.”—Mr H. E. Combs (Labour. Onslow). “Our Polley”

What is your policy? I have been asked,” said Mr H. R. Lake, National Party candidate for Lyttelton, when he spoke in Sumner. “Law and order—that is our policy,” he said in reply. Costs

“Under a Government that promised to reduce prices every service and every commodity costs more, with the exception of aspirins, the consumption of which must nave increased tremendously.”—Mr J. B. F. CotteriH (Labour, Wanganui). Labour Leadership “One of the first things the Parliamentary Labour Party will do, if they are successful, is to dump Mr Nash as their party leader. Yes, they are preparing to do that even now.” —Mr H. R. Lake (National), Lyttelton. “A Spent Force” “As far as I and my party are concerned Jock Barnes is a spent-force on the labour and waterside front,” said Mr J. M. Deas, Labour candidate for Otahuhu. “Only by joining the union as a watersider can Barnes regain his former position,” Mr Deas continued. “He would not go back as a result of anything that I or the Labour Party would do if we were elected.” Housing Plan “Thwarted” A plan to provide a large number of temporary houses for people who were living in unsatisfactory circumstances was thwarted by the Labour Party and a section of the Carpenters' Union which opposed the type of house, said the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr E. B. Corbett, speaking to about 120 Maoris in Auckland. Subsidies

“Subsidies are a temporary pallative which should never be put permanently into the economy of a country.” said Mr W. L. Richards, National Party candidate for Timaru, in an address last evening. Referring to the Labour Party’s election policy, Mr Richards said: “We have here a list of promises which would put this country bankrupt in 12 months. They are incapable of fulfilment.” Bole Suggested « “If it weren’t all so serious you can see Mr Nash in the role of Hamlet. It would go something like this: enter Hamlet dressed as Mr Nash, followed by Barnes and Hill. Mr Nash: “To be or not to be, that is the question. Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take up arms against a sea of trouble and, by opposing them, end them’.”—Mr J. S. Meadowcroft (National, Onslow).