HUTT BY-ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 56, 29 November 1929, Page 12

HUTT BY-ELECTION

MR. NASH’S CAMPAIGN

OPENING ADDRESS AT PETONE

PUBLIC SERVANTS’ SALARIES

Mr. W. Nash, the Labour candidate for the Hutt seat, opened his campaign at the Labour Hall, Petone, last night. The principal matters touched upon by him were the salaries of Public servants, unemployment, and members’ honoraria. At the conclusion of his address he was accorded a unanimous vote of confidence. The hall was tilled to capacity. The Mayor of Petone (Mr. D. McKenzie), who presided, said that Mr. Nash was a well-known advocate of the Labour cause, and he appealed to the audience to give him an attentive hearing. Mr. Nash, who was given a rousing reception, first of all extended to the Prime Minister (Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) his personal sympathy and that of the Labour Party on his continued illhealth and at the same time expressed the hope that Sir Joseph would once more regain his strength as to be 1 able to come back again into the political life of the Dominion. (Applause.) Mr. Nash said he also desired to extend to the late member for the district, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, his congratulations on his appointment as High Commissioner. “We are entering on one of the most interesting campaigns in the political history of New Zealand," said Mr. Nash. "The eyes of the Dominion are on the Hutt electorate, and when the numbers go up on December IS I hope and trust that the tension of the three weeks in front will be followed by the relief and joy of victory in the hearts and homes of the workers.” Strength of Parties. The present-day political situation was unique, said the candidate. With three parties in Parliament we had the position that not one of them had the confidence of a majority of the people. One thing, however, was certain, the electors last December clearly and emphatically stated that they had no confidence in the Reform Party, and it was accepted that omitting one or two of the members of the present Government, there was no difference between the members of Reform and the United Parties. Reform Party’s Record. Sketching briefly what he described as the record of tlie.,«Jlefsrm Party when in office, Mr. Nash said that since 1921 Reform reorganised taxation so that the load previously carried by the wealthy section of the community had been transferred to the whole of the people by way of increased Customs duties. It consecutively reduced the tax on super-incomes from: In 1921 to 8/9J, i Q 1922 to 7/4, in 1923 to 5/10, in 1924 to 4/10, in 1925 to 4/6, whilst at the same time reducing' the wages and salaries of the worker in and out of the Public Service. On the death of Mr. Massey in 1925, the Reform Party appointed Mr. Coates Prime Minister. and (lie manifesto issued to the electors by him in the same year said that if returned he would make a general survey of all unoccupied lands in the DoDjjnion. in order to ascertain what areas were capable of profitable settlement; take in hand a considerable area of pumice lands for experimental purposes along sound farming lines; and would give assistance by way of roading, etc., to owners of private lands to subdivide their properties for closer settlement. “The Reform Party had three years to carry out its policy, but instead the promises materialising,” said Mr. Nash, "we find that from 1925 to 1928 they increased the interest rates on the State Advances loans, and reduced the amount advances; they curtailed the activities of the Post Office Savings Bank and assisted the private bankers to control the wealth of the Dominion; they smashed the marketing system of the dairy farmers ; their land and finance- policy drove thousands of people off the land; and they created unemployment to such an unprecedented extent that the Dominion has not yet recovered.

Salary Cuts. “The promise of the 1928 election manifesto issued by the Reform Party just prior to the elections last year could not overcome the increased interest rates, the 9/- and 12/- per day for the unemployed, the non-restoration of the salary cuts, and other measures. The result was that the Reform Party was utterly routed and instead of holding a majority of seats in Parliament they hold 28 seats only. The election prevented the Reform Party either carrying out their promises or continuing the disastrous policy of previous years. They were defeated. We now have a by-election and the Reform Party asks for your votes. United Party Criticised.

Mr. Nash said that the United Party could only be judged on its legislation and administrative work of the past 12 months. It had passed the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill, doubled the primage duty, extended the Kent Restriction Act, and dropped all other Bills which would in any way jeopardise its hold on the Treasury benches. It was impossible to set out all the promises made by the party at the last election, but a few of ’them could be recited. The United Party promised to lower the maximum amount of income tax, to reduce the high rate of company taxation, to reduce taxation on commercial lorry owners, to permanently solve the unemployment problem, to remove the restrictions in connection with widows’ and oldage pensions. The promised tax reductions had not matured, but instead the primage duty had been doubled, with some of the worst features (the taxes on food) removed under pressure from the Labour members of Parliament. The unemployment problem was as acute as the corresponding period of many years past, and the. old folks and widows had their pensions reduced when they endeavoured to earn a little to supplement their meagre allowance. On the credit side was the fact that through Sir Joseph Ward they had extended the activities of the State Advances Office and many people had been able to erect their own homes which they would no thave been able to do had the Reform Party continued in office. School Committee Capitation. “The Government had, however, failed to meet the legitimate demands .from school committees and Public servants. Demands which the Government admitted were justified. The members of school committees were among the most sociallyminded and self-sacrificing sections of the community. They not only gave their time and energy to the organising of the social side of school life, but they had to find the money, and the.v spent half their time in finding the money to enable men to do the work. The allowance of 7/6 per head per annum for primary schools was totally inadequate and was grossly unfair when compared with the 54/- per head allowed for secondary schools. Its inadequacy was recognised by the Government, and yet it had failed to increase the grant. The Public Servants. “I desire to touch on a subject of immediate interest,” continued Mr. Nash. "During the past week there has been some discussion in the Press in connection with the wages and salaries of Public servants, and I propose to briefly sketch the origin and history of the controversy. Early in 1922 the Reform Party introduced the Public Expenditure Adjustment Bill, which gave the Government power to reduce the wages of Publie servants. This provision was made in spite of a specific agreement between the Publie Service organisations and the Government, under which the salaries scale should be raised or lowered with the cost of living. In spite of the strenuous opposition of the Labour Party the Bill was passed after two successive cuts were made from the .salaries of the Publie servants. An election in 1922 resulting in the doubling of Labour’s repr-escn-

tation in Parliament seared the Government so much that the third cut was never made. The net eifeet, however, has been that for nearly eight years the Public servants have been labouring under a legitimate grievance in that by agreement with the Government they were entitled to the same standard as they received in 1920. • In 1920 the cost-of-liv-ing figures were 62 per cent, higher than in 1914 —they have ranged round this point for the past live years—but during that period the salaries of the Public servants have been 35 per cent, only in excess of 1914. Whenever occasion offered in Parliament the Labour Party has raised the question. On seven occasions in 1923, the Labour Party moved motions in Parliament urging that the salary and wages cuts be restored. These resolutions were mainly moved in conjunction with others, urging that concessions should be made to income tax payers before the salary cuts had been restored to the teachers, the Post and Telegraph officers, the railwaymen, and outside workers in turn. In 1924 the Labour Party moved three times in the same direction. Again in 1928 Mr. McCombs, on behalf of the Labour Party, moved that the salaries of all Publicservants should be restored to the 1920 standard..

On every occasion the Reform Party voted solidly against the restoration of the cuts. In the majority of the cases most of the Liberals voted with the Labour Party in favour of restoring the 1920 standard.

“An extraordinary situation has arisen, however, during the past months, and I desire to emphasise two factors of prime importance in connection with the statements issued by the Reform and United Parties during the past few days. The division on Mr. McCombs’s amendment in August, 1928, was the last occasion during his term of office upon which Mr. Coates and his party had opportunity of doing justice to the Civil servants, but they unanimously voted against the resolution. The same occasion gave the opportunity to the Liberals to express their opinion on the restoration of the 1920 standard. The Liberals, including Messrs. Atmore. Forbes, Ransom. Sidey, Veitch and Wilford. voted in favour of the Labour Party motion.

Sincerity Doubted. “Now,” said Mr. Nash, “when the session is over and a by-election is under way, Mr. Coates says ‘he will increase the salaries by £l5 per annum.’ He says he will when he knows he has no power —but when he had the power he did nothing. “If returned to power,” said Mr. Nash, “we will on the first possible opportunity in or out of office do all in our power to restore the standards of' Public, servants and to establish a basic wage for all workers in and out of the Public Service of a sum sufficient to ensure that every boy, every girl, every man, and every woman shall be assjired of a reasonable and adequate standard of living.” (Applause.) Mr. Nash referred to the inadequacy of the family allowances, and said it was absolutely imperative that men who would right the position should be sent to Parliament. Dealing with the question of unemployment insurance, Mr. Nash said that the Labour Party had made repeated endeavours to place on the Statute Book a Bill similar to the one introduced by the new Government in England. No questions were asked. A vote of thanks to and confidence in Mr. Nash was carried unanimously. Mr. P. Fraser, M.P. for Wellington Central, announced that he had received the following telegram from Mr. H. M. Rushworth (Country Party, Bay of Islands) : “Best of good wishes for a successful issue of the fight upon which you are engaged.” The meeting concluded with cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Nash.

UNITED CAMPAIGN OPENED MR. KERR AT EASTBOURNE RAILWAYS AND STATE ADVANCES • CANDIDATE RECEIVES GOOD HEARING A large and friendly gathering attended the theatre at Eastbourne last night, when Mr. J. Kerr, United Party candidate in the Hutt by-election, opened his campaign. In the course of a forceful address, the candidate, who was warmly received, examined past administration and pointed to the accomplishments of the United Government as sufficient reason why the Government should be further supported by the return of the United Party candidate in the present contest.

Mr. H. M. Jones, Mayor of Eastbourne, occupied the chair. Associated with the candidate on -the platform were Mrs. Bernard Wood, the Minister of Labour (Hon. W’. A. Veitch) and the Minister of Public Works (Hon. E. A. Ransom). The chairman complimented the United Party on selecting Eastbourne as the quarter for the opening of its campaign for the by-election. He made complimentary references to the two Ministers of the Crown present. Regarding the candidate, Mr. Kerr had served his apprenticeship on municipal and local body affairs. In addition, Mr. Kerr was esteemed as a citizen and had taken a keen interest in the affairs of his district, and as a member of Parliament he should do credit to the electorate and justice to himself. Government’s Achievements.

Mr. Kerr in his opening remarks said that the work the United Party had accomplished in its first year of office had shown the country it had a Government which had done something and which intended doing more. He regretted the departure to England of the Hon. T. M. Wilford, but congratulated him on his appointment to the elevated office of High Commissioner. Mr. Wilford had served the district for 33 years, and there were monuments to his work throughout the electorate. Regarding Sir Joseph Ward, he was the leading statesman of the day, and people were to-day enjoying legislation passed in the days of the Liberal Government. Sir Joseph Ward, instead of enjoying the retirement to which he was entitled, had buckled on his armour again to further serve his country upon finding the state into which it had fallen. It was regrettable that the United Party did not have a working majority in the House, but if it went to the country to-morrow it would be returned with a substantial majority. The speaker said that in the present contest he hoped to fight a straightforward, clean fight, against party and not candidates, as he did not believe in mounting on the demerits of others. State Advances.

“'VVhen the United Party assumed the reins of office they found thousands of people waiting for loans, many as long as two years,” said Mr. Kerr. “It was a hopeless mess. When Sir Joseph Ward came into office he found that there was only £450,000 to the credit of the fund, and the applications exceeded three millions. Our leader at once placed four million pounds to the credit of (he fund, and in a few months this was loaned out to the people. But this is not all—the United Party has another four million pounds to be let out for the same purpose, and it must be remembered that this does not add one penny taxation to the taxpayer.” He quoted figures to show that from December 10. 1927, to October 31, 1925, loans to settlers and workers under the Reform Government amounted to £3.391,945. Under the United Government, from December 10, 1928, to October 31. 1929, they totalled £7,114,890. For the same period, loans authorised by Reform in the Lower Hutt, Petone. and Eastbourne districts totalled £207,850. and under the United Government £477.790. He believer! that the secret of the administration of New Zealand was to see (hat Unpeople of New Zealand were properly housed. The. Reform Government had tried to starve State advances.

Railway Policy. “The railway policy of the United Party has caused a good deal of controversy, but it must bo remembered that the United Party went to the country on its policy, and it never fails to carry out its pledges,” continued Mr. Kcr r . “It was soon found that the railways were not in a satisfactory position, and the bold, decided, and courageous step taken by Sir Joseph Ward to st °P the Taupo railway and the Palmerston North deviation has saved the country thousands of pounds. The stoppage of the useless Palmerston North deviation saved the country close on three-quarters of a million and what is very strange, the country and the people of Palmerston Noith have approved of it. I heartily approve of the vigorous prosecution of the Alain Trunk lines and it reflects the strength as well as the business acumen of the Government. . , “I consider the time has arrived Ullin a Commission should be appointed o inquire into the enormous cost ol Hie workshops. The reorganisation took place at Otahuhu, Hutt, Addington, Eastown and Hillside, and the estimated cost was £1,880,000. You will hard } credit that the actual cost was £-,-<J,459, an increase of £339,40J. “After talking with railway men ot long experience and ability in the lailway department I have been told that all that was required to bring the workshops up-to-date was the expenditure of a few thousand pounds loi neu and up-to-date machines ami . they conl cope with all the work offering foi the next 25 years. Also, the railway employees who had made their homes would not have been compelled to pack up and leave them for fresh fields and pastures new. However, I feel confide nt that if a Commission is set up it y ill bring to light one of the. biggest J’lu”‘’er s that has ever happened in New Zealand. Civil Service Cuts.

“I believe the Civil Service of his country has not been fairly dealt with, said -Mr. Kerr. “The time is coming when it will receive its due. It is truly amazing to see the concern ot the Reform Party for the underpaid men. AV hen the Reform Party had surplus years they turned a deaf ear to the er,v ot the underpaid men, but after landing the country with a debit balance they ask the United Leader to do with a debit what they would not do with a huge credit balance. The action of Mr. Coates in adopting this political humbug is a sorry sight.” He (Mr. Kerr) was going to attack both the Reform and Labour Parties to the utmost, but by attacking tiie Labour Party he was not attacking the working men. He would give place to no man in promiting the welfare ot his native country. He said that in regard to the salary cuts the Labour Party had moved a motion which it did .not intend should be carried. It was camouflage and humbug. The Labour Party had been so frightened that, when two Reform members spoke in favour of the motion the Labour Party had almost insulted them. The speaker was in favour of the underpaid man. The official organ of the P. and T. (“The Katipo”) said: -“The latest amendment moved by the Labour Party is an insult to our intelligence.” The United Party was the only one able to give a straightout answer. The Prime Minister was sympathetic, but at the present time he could not see his way to restore the cuts, but would do so as soon as finance allowed.

The railwaymen had been working tenhour shifts instead of eight, but the latter had been restored by the United Government. The amazing thing was that in the last five years the Reform Party had not lifted its voice to right the wrong. From Surplus to Deficit. “The show of the Reform Party has been a very bad one,” said Mr. Kerr. “It went back until it left the country in a state of chaos.” The late Mr. Massey left a surplus of £1,243,800. In the first year of Mr. Coates’s administration there was a surplus of £1,115,697, which had dropped annually to a deficit of £577,252 in 1928-29. The people began to think that something was wrong and the Government was ejected.

Unemployment Position. When the United Party came into power the position of unemployment was appalling. Thousands of men and their families were in a bad way and Christmas was approaching. Despite the fact that the United Party had been in power only a matter of weeks, Sir Joseph Ward loaned to the cities £lOO,OOO to relieve the distress. This year the unemployment question was intensified. A position faced Sir Joseph and his party that had daunted the Governments of the world, a position that Labour governments had failed to solve, a position that the Reform Party could not tackle, but the United Party rose to the occasion. According to the promise of Sir Joseph Ward, within five weeks close on 6000 men were at work on productive works in the Dominion. The big land-owner and the wool king had had a great run under the Reform Party, but under legislation the United Government had brought in they would be compelled to pay a fair share of the taxation of the country. The squealing had come from those who had never had to pay. Question Time. In answer to a question, Mr. Kerr said he believed Government stores should be ordered in this country instead of through the High Commissioner. . Regarding the liquor question, he considered the law should remain as it was, as he believed it was a right law. He favoured increased capitation grants for small schools. The candidate was unanimously accorded a vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Mr. A. Walker. The Hon. W. A. Veitch and the Hon. E. A. Ransom spoke briefly and optimistically on the future of the country under the United Government and supported the candidature of Mr. Kerr.

THE REFORM CAUSE MR. JOHNSTON AT PETONE LABOUR AND THE “CUTS” There was an exceptionally large attendance at the Grand Theatre, Petone. last night, when Mr. H. F. Johnston, Reform candidate for the Hutt, delivered the second speech in his election campaign. The Deputy-Mayor of Petone (Mr. V. E. Jacobson) presided, and the candidate, who was in brilliant speaking form, was listened to with the closest attention. Among those occupying seats on the platform was Mr. T. H. Lowry, the well-known cricketer. In introducing the speaker, the DeputyMayor said Mr. Johnston was a man of wide attainments, tin able speaker, and a fit and proper representative for the district if the electors desired his services. Rail Constructmn. Mr. Johnston, who was received with loud applause, dealt with subjects oi moment on the lines of his opening address, and again trenchantly criticised the Government, who he declared had recklessly made pledges they never intended to carry out. The Prime Minister had declared there was a mandate from the people for the completion of the trunk railways, Iml in the candidate’s opinion it was a misuse of language to say there had been a mandate to carry out the works without proper investigation ns to whether they would pay or not. The mandate, as he saw it, was that Parliament should not spend any more money on railways that, would not pay. (Hear, hear.) He believed the effect of the Government's policy in that direction was being felt at the railway workshops at Petone, which, it was reported, were suffering through railway expenditure in the South Island. Political Humbug. Reiterating bis declaration (hat he would support an increase in I he maxima for the lower-paid Civil servants, Mr. Johnston claimed that (he Public Service vote was net to be bought by a bid. The service was quite the best judge as

to which was the best party for the country. The attitude displayed in the House by Mr. Holland on the “cut” question was referred to by the candidate, who claimed that the no-confidence amendment moved by the Labour Leader was framed not for the restoration of the “cuts” but for the refusal of them. Mr. Johnston proceeded to read the terms of the amendment, and when he came to the reference to the “unjust levy” a member of the audience interjected : “Ah, that is the fly in the ointment.” “It was one of them,” agreed Mr. Johnston, who added that Labour knew perfectly well that the Reform Party could not agree to a motion condemnatory of its own action and containing a further barrier in the shape of the proposal for extra taxation to meet the requirements of the amendment. “The motion,” said the candidates, “was designed not to restore the cuts, but to prevent their restoration. The efforts of the Labour Party were to prevent the restoration of the cuts and to help the United Party.”

The £lOO Grab. Turning his attention to the £lOO allowance members voted themselves, the candidate said the Government must take the ‘blame and the responsibility for the empowering clause in the Appropriation Bill. Mr. Holland’s utterances in the House regarding the bonus showed quite clearly that he did not care one jot about the financial troubles of the Civil servants; his main care was for himself. In reply to a questioner the candidate said he believed in adequate military defence, although he considered the form of it must be left to the experts. In regard to the size of primary school classes Mr. Johnston said he would advocate the size agreed to as advisable by the schoolmasters and which would be the best for the pupil. A motion according Mr. Johnston a vote of thanks for his able said convincing address was carried unanimously. OTHER MEETINGS. At 8 o’clock to-night, Mr. Johnston will deliver a public address at the pavilion, Day’s Bay. Dr. W. M. Shand will preside. At the same time, Mr. 11. A. Wrighl, M.P. for Wellington Suburbs, will address an open-air meeting outside the Petone committee rooms at the corner of Jackson and Nelson Streets. At 7.30 p.m., a meeting of the Eastbourne committee will be held at Bona Bay. The candidate will address the electors of Eastbourne at the Crown Theatre, Romt Bay, at 8 p.m. on Monday. This meeting will be presided over by Mr. C. H. Andrews. Arrangements have been made for Mr. Johnston to address railway workshops employees at Petone at noon on Wednesday. Employees of the Wellington Woollen Co. will be spoken to at the same time on Monday, and employees of General Motors at noon on Thursday.