HUTT BY-ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 12

HUTT BY-ELECTION

MR. JOHNSTON’S FIRST ADDRESS DEVELOPMENT OF THE VALLEY INDUSTRY AND ITS FUTURE Firing the first shot in his campaign for the Hutt seat, Mr. H. F. Johnston, the Reform candidate, addressed a largely attended meeting of electors at the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt, last night. The chair was occupied by the Mayor (Sir Alexander Roberts). The candidate, who dealt among other subjects with the possibilities of industrial development in New Zealand, received an excellent hearing, and was accorded a practically unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. In introducing the candidate, the Mayor said that Mr. Johnston had resided in the electorate for the last six years. He was a New Zealander, a son ot New Zea-land-born parents, and had taken a prominent part in the public life of New Zealand. (Applause.) To Reform's Banner. Mr. Johnston, who was loudly applauded on rising to speak, expressed pleasure at the large attendance of those who were flocking to the Reform banner, which, he said, had not been unfurled in the electorate for the past six years. He congratulated the Hon. T. JI. Wilford on liis election to the High Commissionership. in which capacity he would serve New Zealand with distinction. (Hear, hear.) Stablemates. Touching political questions, Mr. John- • ston queried whether or not, in snorting parlance, United and Labour were in ‘the same stable. It would be found that the colours of Mr. Nash were all red, while those of the United candidate were red with a distinguishing colour of blue!’ Mr. Johnston said his slogan was "Johnston for progress and prosperity,” as opposed to . "Nash for national calamity.” (Applause.) There was no questioning the importance of the byelection, he said. If Reform won the Hutt seat; it would sweep the polls at the next general election, which would not be a long way off.

A Fatal Change. Mr. Johnston contended that the result of the change of Government in December had been increased taxation, increased cost of living, and depreciated credit. When Reform left office the country’s credit stood higher than at any previous time in its history. The United Party had made impossible promises in regard to finance, and how the public had been misled by them was beyond comprehension. A heavy borrowing policy was espoused, notwithstanding Sir Joseph Ward's previous criticism of the sums being raised annually. The candidate considered that the only combination in New Zealand for good government was the caution of the Hon. W. D. Stewart, plus the drive of Mr. Coates. (Applause.) The business members of the United Party must have known that it was impracticable to put into operation the promise made by the Leader of the United Party that money borrowed at £95 at 44 per cent, could be made available at 4J per cent. Railway i.'ndertakings. The Prime Minister had claimed he had a mandate to continue the railways, but the view of the people appeared to be that no more railways that would not pay should be built. (Applause.) There iiad been no inquiry as to whether the new lines would pay, yet. unlike the Reform Party, the United and Labour Parties had voted for the suicidal policy of putting up such white elephants as non-paying railway lines. The Labour Party was “bought” by the railways. They had paid the price by sacrificing the principles they had always stood for; they had allowed increased taxation to be placed on the necessaries of life through the doubling of the primage duties. Reference was made by the candidate to the Bluff-Melbourne steamer service, for which New Zealand had to pay £3(5,000 a year, whereas the total cost of the Vancouver service and the San Francisco service was only a few thousands more. He did not say there was anything wrong in the matter, but he considered that inquiry should have first been made as to whether such an expenditure was warranted. Hutt’s Tribute. Mr. Johnston predicted a great industrial future for the Hutt Valley. In fifteen years, he declared, it would probably be the most important industrial centre in New Zealand—(hear, hear) — and the way in which the Hutt progressed would be a material factor in the future of the Dominion. He believed there was a great chance for the industrial future of New Zealand, although the Budget of Sir Joseph Ward gave no encouraging signs in the direction. “Go on the laud” and “Back to the land” were advanced by the Government as the solution for unemployment, but he did not agree. There must be recruits for industry. The cardinal points of the Reform policy were to stimulate business, improve trade, relieve unemployment, and assist industry in every way. That was the only way in which a country could be put on its feet. (Applause.) The United policy did not make for industrial progress. The “back to the land” cry was not a solution of the industrial problems at all. New Zealand had to progress industrially if it was to take an important place in the world. Co-operation In Industry. Mr. Johnston declared emphatically that he would not stand for an industrial constituency unless he felt he could bring some message of hope to the workers of it. (Loud applause.) While Labour sought to keep Capital and Labour forever separated, Reform aimed to bring those interests together. The United Government made one of its biggest blunders in not re-convening the National Industrial Conference called by the Refbrm Government in an effort to improve not only the relations between employees and employers, but the conditions and wages of the workers themselves. The Reform objective was to move as far as it could in the industrial development of New Zealand. A Bad Principle. Mr. Johnston declared that nine-tenths of the workers of New Zealand believed in a policy whereby they should be paid for good work and not be held down to the level of the men who would only do bad work. (Loud applause.) Mr. Johnston said that the majority of the mothers of New Zealand who had sons growing up would desire to see that they had a chance to do well for themselves. (Hear, hear.) The Labour leaders, however, were withholding from the working man in New Zealand the information that would enable them to work and achieve a greater measure of prosperity. He could not understand why working men would not examine the question for themselves. The candidate saw in the application of efficient methods and the maintenance of goodwill better means of developing industry than by way of tariff. Reform had worked for and was working for that goodwill in industry. Result of Reform Administration. After sixteen years of Reform administration, he placed New Zealand as third in the rank of the prosperous countries of the world. If the interests concerned in industry became united for its development, he was of opinion that gold would flow here from private channels all over th* world, and make for a greater prosperity than had been experienced, .there was a message of prosperity and hope for

an industrial area such as the Hutt Valley if goodwill "-ere forthcoming in industry. He was seeking the representation pf an industrial district, and he wanted to represent it faithfully. If the party he supported would not adopt a progressive policy in that connection, he would have no hesitation in walking out of Parliament and leaving it immediately. (.Loud applause.) Worker for District. Moving a vote of thanks to and confidence in the candidate and the Reform Party, Mr. JI. E. Denniston predicted that if Mr. Johnston were returned—and he believed he would be—he would be a real grafter for the district. (Applause.) Mr. D. G. Johnston, who seconded the motion, said there was no doubt from the candidate’s speech that Mr. Johnston would serve the interests of the district very well. The motion was carried practically unanimously. TO-NIGHT AT PETONE.

At noon to-day Mr. Johnston will speak to employees of the Gear Meat Company at the company's works at Petone. and in the evening he will address the electors of Petone in the Grand Theatre. A full attendance of the public is anticipated for the latter meeting, which will be presided over by the De-puty-Mayor of Petone, Councillor V. E. Jacobsen.

The candidate at 8 p.m. to-morrow will deliver a public address in the pavilion at Day’s Bay. At the same time Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P. for Wellington Suburbs, will speak outside the Petone committee rooms, on the corner of Jackson and Nelson Streets. MR. KERR’S CAMPAIGN A meeting of Mr. J. Kerr’s election committee wus held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Petone, last night, Mr. Ryder presiding. Satisfactory reports were received from canvassing committees. Added confidence was expressed in Mr. Kerr’s chances of success. It was stated that already many cars had been promised for election day use. A letter was received from Sir Joseph Ward extending best wishes for Mr. Kerr’s campaign. Addressing the meeting, Mr. Kerr said that it was encouraging to know that he had such a body of friends who were prepared to work for him (luring the campaign. He felt that the fight now had developed into a contest between United and Labour. The United Party had accomplished wonders during its twelve months of office. He was second to none in his desire to advance the welfare of the working classes, and if he had a voice in Parliament he would always stand for good treatment of the lowerpaid Civil Servants. It was political humbug for the leader of a party which had had a surplus year after year to expect the Government to pay out £364,000 to the Post and Telegraph Department officers following a deficit of £586,000. A meeting also was held at Lower Hutt iu Mr.'Kerrs committee rooms, the room being filled with workers. Mr. Kerr stated that he had no fear of his chances in Hutt, as all indications were that there would, be strong support for the United Party. Reports received were very heartening.

Mr. Kerr will open his campaign in the Eastbourne Theatre to-night at S o’clock. The Mayor (Mr. H. M. Jones) will occupy the chair. Further dates on which Mr. Kerr will deliver addresses are: December 2, Day s Bay Pavilion; December 3. King George Theatre, Lower Hutt; and December 5, Methodist Hall, Waiwetu; December 6, Moera Hall.

MR. W. NASH’S MEETINGS. To-night at 8 o’clock Mr. W. Nash, Labour candidate for the Hutt by-elec-tion, will open his campaign in the Labour Hall, Petone. The Mayor of I’etone will preside. Mr. Nash will reply to the statement-of Mr. Coates on the wages of Public Servants, and will speak on Reform Party tactics. All electors are invited to attend. On at 8 o’clock he will speak at the King George Theatre. POSTAL VOTES ADVICE TO ELECTORS It is stated by the returning officer for Hutt (Mr. F. B. Jamieson) that those on the Hutt electoral roll who will have to vote by post at' the coining by-election should apply to him as soon as possible for the necessary papers. Persons entitled to vote ill this manner are those who on polling day will be absent from New Zealand, more tlinn five miles. from any polling place, are travelling, ill or infirm, or are lighthouse-keepers. Postal votes, to be valid, must be received by the returning officer at the Courthouse, Petone, not later than the close of the poll, at 7 p.m. on December 18.

POLLING PLACES

Polling places' for the Hutt electoral district have been appointed as follow ; — Blackbridge, the Knox Church Schoolroom. Day’s Bay, the Camera Obscura. Eastbourne, the Borough Council Buildings. Korokoro, the Public School. Lower Hutt, the lyceuin Hall. Lower Hutt, the Public School, Railway Avenue. Lowry Bay. Stafford’s Tearooms. Moera, the Community Hall. I’etone. the Central Public School (principal). I’etone. the Oddfellows’ Hall. Waiwetu, Ihe Public School. Wilford Settlement, the Public School. It is interesting to note that there will be a polling booth at Lowry Bay for the first time.