ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 8, 4 October 1935, Page 12

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Contest For Otaki Seat ADDRESSES BY DIR. MONK Political addresses were delivered recently at Te Horo and Manakau by Mr. C. A. Monk, National Government candidate for the Otaki seat. At Te Horo, where Mr. Avery presided, Mr. Monk dealt briefly with the present political situation and claimed that the contest now on is definitely between the moderate or National Government and the Socialist Barty. He outlined the various steps taken by the Government during the past five years to bring about financial equilibrium and stressed tbe success achieved as shown by the present budgetary position. Reference was made to the reduction of the public debt by £1,360,000 over a difficult period—the saving of £1,300,000 in annual charges as a result of internal and overseas conversions—also to the fact that a further sum of close on £6,000,000 at present bearing interest at 6 per cent, would be convertable next year. The restoration of the old age penr sion was referred to by Mr. Monk as being most welcome to all citizens. An-other-very pleasing feature of the Budget was the provision made to assist those war veterans who seemingly returned from the war in good health, but who later on broke down in health. Reference was made to the reduction of unemployment taxation and to the fact that though a reduction has been made in the tax, a sum of approximately £5,000,000 would be available for relief of unemployment this year. This went to indicate that the general level of wages had increased and that more people were going into employment He was gratified to note the sincere efforts being made by the Government to absorb as many men as possible on public works and other occupations at standard rates of vzages. Mr. Monk dealt briefly with the Labour Party’s scheme of guaranteed prices, quoting the diversity of opinion among the promoters and leaders of the Labour Party. At the conclusion of the address all present formed themselves into a committee to work in the interests of the National candidate, Mr. Avery being appointed chairman and Mr. Blackburn secretary. Major C. T. Tatum presided at Manakau, where he delivered an address given on similar lines to that delivered at Te Horo tbe previous evening! At the conclusion of the meeting a committee was set up to assist in the campaign, Mr. G. H. Bryant being appointed chairman and Mr. A. Sullivan secretary.

LOCAL MANUFACTURING Hutt Valley’s Importance In the Taita Public Hall last evening Mr. Will Appleton, Independent candidate for Otaki, gave an address in which he drew attention to the importance of local manufacturing as far as the Hutt Valley was concerned. He pointed out that even to-day more than a quarter of the total population was dependent on secondary industries. Even with our limited population the best customers for New Zealand farmers were in the Dominion, and with the development of more local manufactuiS ing plants on an economic basis a still greater proportion of primary production could be consumed locally. On the question of local body rates and the State Advances Office, .the candidate said that the office should shoulder its responsibilities in the same way as any other mortgagee. It was unfair that the State should shelter behind its present prerogative. In respect to the Arbitration Court, Mr. Appleton s;|id that he was in favour of compulsory arbitration, but he considered that much more could be done in the way of voluntary settlement as between employers and employees. He favoured a system 'of profit-sharing in trade and industry. Mr. S. Peck was chairman of the meeting, and a rote of thanks to the speaker was'proposed by Mr. F. J. Joseph and seconded by Mr. J. C. Mabey. Dunedin Central Nationalist By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, October 3. Unforeseen business complications which will necessitate his absence from the Dominion for several weeks before aud during the general election have caused Mr. W. 11. Shepherd, national candidate for Dunedin Central, to. place his withdrawal in tbe hands of the committee. It was > eided to accept Mr. Shepherd’s withdrawal and that Mr. D. C. Cameron be nominated as a candidate for the seat. Mr. Cameron lias intimated that he is favourably considering the committee’s request and will definitely make his decision known within a few days.