BISHOP HOLDS NAMES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29363, 16 November 1960, Page 18

BISHOP HOLDS NAMES

Supporters Of Railway

(From Our Own Reporter) NELSON, November 15.

A reply to a challenge by the leader ot the National Party (Mr Holyoake) was given tonight by Mr S. A. Whitehead, Labour candidate for Nelson, at a meeting at Brightwater. Last night Mr Holyoake publicly challenged a statement made by Mr Whitehead who had said that after the Nelson Railway Bill had been passed two National members had congratulated him, and had said, though they had to support their own party, they were sympathetic toward a railway for Nelson.

Tonight Mr Whitehead said: “I have no intention whatever of telling Mr Holyoake their names, as I have the highest respect for both of them and I feel that it would be a breach of confidence to do so. However, today I approached the Bishop of Nelson (the Rt. Rev. F. O. Hulme-Moir) as the head of my church, and asked him if he would receive the names in confidence which he agreed to do. "I have, therefore, named the two persons to his Lordship and told him also that I could produce at least two witnesses. I gave my word of honour to the bishop that I was telling the truth and he has accepted my word. I now expect Mr Holyoake to do likewise and apologise.”

FENDALTON SEAT

Captain Rowling At Papanui

Every piece of social legislation introduced into New Zealand by the Labour Party during its 17 years as the government had always been better than the National Party had said it would be, said the Labour candidate for Fendalton (Captain W. E. Rowling) last evening. He was speaking in pouring rain to about 30 persons at the corner of Hoani street and Ellery street, Papanui. Captain Rowling was introduced by Mr W. T. Rice, the Papanui riding member of the Waimairi County Council. Captain Rowling said that much of what had been introduced by his party had, at the time, been dismissed by the National Party as unworkable. “Yet when they became the Government they found out our legislation worked and worked well and in no time at all it was included in their policies.” He recommended that his listeners regard with suspicion any statement on promises of tax reductions. “There are many and varied ways of doing this. If they say we’ll reduce tax, then

you should question how it is intended to be done,” he said. “The Labour Party bases its promises on the increased over-all productivity of our country.” Of industrial development, Captain Rowling said the Labour Party intended to follow a policy of expansion. Pulp and paper, aluminium, wool, and cotton industries w*uld- all provide more employment, a greater variety of goods .and lessen New Zealand’s dependence on primary products for earning the country's overseas exchange. On the present position of the country. Captain Rowling said there were many signs of prosperity in New Zealand. Increased company profits, greater spending by the man in the street at the T.A.8., and increased private savings were all indicative of this.

Housing Housing under Labour had been expanding at a fast rate, he said. “Last year, 21,600 houses: were completed. Nothing has ever been done before to equal that figure, in the last year State Advances Corporation lent £29 sm, and of this sum £ 22.8 m had been at the 3 per cent, rate of interest. “I personally feel that we have not yet fully exploited all the means of finding ways with which to finance homes for our people." said Captain Rowling. “It is only a week and a half before you go to the polls. I urge you to consider very soberly before making a decision to answer the question: ‘Have I ever had it so good.’ Fm quite sure on reflection that the vote you will drop into the ballot box will be a vote for Labour, the party which has given this country the prosperous conditions we all enjoy today.”