GENERAL ELECTION: NOTES AND POINTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 308, 23 September 1943, Page 8

GENERAL ELECTION: NOTES AND POINTS

Suitable situations for the employees of the Internal Marketing Division would be found by the National Party after it had abolished the division. —Mr. B. V. Cuokslcy (National, Otaki). *

“What do you call a man who tells lies about you,” asked Mr. A\ . Nash (Labour. Hutt) when referring in bis address at Petone on Tuesday night to an incident in the campaign in the Hutt electorate. A voice : A politician.” (Laughter.)

"If ever 1 felt sick and ashamed it was when 1 saw a film depicting the drawing of the first ballot and a certain tall gentleman with a majestic stride came on the ■scene to draw the first marble out of the •peter.'”—Mr. E. A. Ellis (Democratic Labour, Pahiatua) speaking at Danuevirke.

“I think for a public man deliberately to misquote another is despicable, J-Ue other day Mr. Semple took two words from the end of one sentence and three words of the next, sentence in, Hansard and made me say: ‘Social security. It -s lunacy.’ 1 absolutely deny 1 ever.said that.” said the leader of the National Party (Mr. Holland), speaking in Wellington last night, * *

“Mr. Eraser has been attacked by a band the most windy blatherskites we ever knew, and who have never lifted a finger in their lives to help the worker.’ declared Mr. It. Semple (Labour, AA ellington East) last night.. “Serimgeour got £l5OO a year to chat ter. over a mega; phone.” A voice: “You paid it to him. Air. Semple: “I have to confess that we did. Personally I would never have agreed to that remuneration. ’

“France had a military leader of, the name of Maginot.” said Aircraftman C. G. Serimgeour, speaking in the. IV ellington Town Hall. “When a far-sighted citizen of France occasionally suggested that perhaps conditions of modern warfare were such that fortresses built underground would not be adequate against aeroplanes and tanks, he was promptly told by Maginot that he should leave such matters to the experts. Military experts, as well as our leaders, must be constantly exposed to democracy's greatest driving power —the whiplash of public opinion, developed from honest, free discussion.

Reaffirming his determination not to indulge in petty controversy or personal bitternes's, Mr. E. R. Toop (National. Wellington South) stated at Island Lay that politics were to him something impersonal. “I am not fighting against personalities or individuals,.’ he said. “I am here to fight against ideas, ideologies, and creeds that 1 believe are not m the interests of the people of this country and are devoid of the ideas of Lritish tradition and British justice.”

"I am not going to let Lee or Scrim; geour bash-gangs interfere Ayith “e--said Mr. R. Semple (Labour, Wellington East), when, in the Capitol Theatre. Miramar, last night a running fire of interjections began to develop. T will deal with interjections afterward, and the sky is the limit for questions, he added. The chairman said that if . the persistent heckling was going to continue he would ask the offenders to withdraw, and if they did not, they would be removed. The ceased.

“So long as the electors are couteru to confine their political interest to a vote everv three—or five—years, Mr. A. 11. Carman (Independent, Wellington North), "and take no further interest .in the person who represents them in Parliament, just so long will the member neglect them between elections. How many electors of Wellington North,” said Mr. Carman,, “have heard or seen anything, either inside or outside Parliament, of the sitting member, since be was re-elected five years ago? ’ * v ft

"The fertilizer people came to me "'hen I was in the War Cabinet and eaid: ‘ \A e can’t carry on. With .the reduced amount of rock going through we are running at a loss,”’ the leader of the National Party told his audience in Wellington last night. “We sent the Treasury representatives to investigate 'and they recommended a subsidy of £17,000. All right. We voted the subsidy.' A week later the fertilizer people came to me again. Hie income tax people said that they were going to take most of that £17,000. I said I would soon settle that. It was settled —but not in my way. The subsidy was raised to £51,000. The tertilizer people got their £17,000, and the. income tax took £34,000 and paid it into the Consolidated Fund —and that’s where some of your Social Security money comes from.”

“Our opponents fought social security to the very limit, but today they say they won't interfere with it.”' said the Prime Alinister, Air. P. Frrfser, speaking last night.’ “They said that our proposals would discourage thrift and put a premium ou improvidence. If after five years’ experience they have seen the benefits of the scheme and realize that they were wrong they ought to say so definitely. In fact, I suggest that they ought (o put on sackcloth and ashes and come to the penitents’ form to ask forgiveness.”

"1 can still hear the echoes of the squeals of the Labour leaders of today when Air. R. Masters was appointed a Alinister by a previous Government,” said Mr. E. A. Ellis (Democratic Labour, Pahiatua) at Daniievirke. But what did they do when their turn came to govern? They raised '.o Cabinet rank two men who were not elected representatives of the people—Messrs. D. Wilson and A. McLagan. The Government, which appointed Air. Alasters was wrong in falling once for such an undemocratic practice — but the Labour Government kept on fulling.——•‘Dominion” Special Service.

“There is no profit in polities for the honest man. All politicians are there to try to make the world a better place and differ only in the means by which they propose to bring this about.” said -Mr. T. P. Shand (National, Marlborough) in an address to Picton electors. When the country had in power a party which was united within itself progressive government resulted, while the reverse was the case from a party torn by internal dissension, the candidate continued. Labour had been united in 1935, but after losing its popular leader the party had been unable to find in its ranks a man capable of binding it together, and over the last three years had been disintegrating. Today Labour was asking to be elected on what it had done in the past. The National Party, on the other hand, had been founded on the ruins of the old Coalition and had discovered a leader who had been able to weld it into unity.— ‘‘Dominion” Special Service.

The complete answer to the allegation that the “trade union bosses” had refused to allow an extension of hours above 40 a week during the war was contained in the magnificent production record achieved by New Zealand under the Labour Government, in spite of the withdrawal of more than 100,000 men for thearmed services, said Mr. A. E. Armstrong (Labour. Napier) speaking at Napier South. The industrial Advisory Council, consisting of employers’ and employees’ representatives, had never refused an extension of hours where it could be shown that with the Labour available the required demands could not be met iu the ordinary working week. Many industries vitally concerned with war production were working two and three shifts daily, nnd in other instances extended hours of up to 50 and 00 hours a week. It was only by working harder and longer that secondary and primary industrial workers had achieved such outstanding results.

There could be no more wicked instance of penalizing parents than the position in the Dixon Street Hats. Wellington, said Mr. J. H. Winter, D.G.M. (Independent New Order, Hawke's Bay) speaking at Pohtte. Was it the Government's idea of their responsibility to ensure that the population was rapidly increased to offset the war toil on national life to oust tenants who might have children from Hats built with people's money? asked the candidate. Did their idea of the “new order” visualize a country of ageing people and no young ones coming on? “It is welcome to the cltUd-less-or-our-you-go policy.” he said. "The child is the greatest asset to the State in peace and war. and the State would bear the cost of the child from birth to working age. Cramped living conditions in the cities, and unsatisfactory rural housing, every child today of working parents becomes a liability till it can earn its own living."-

“Will you sell the homes to us?” asked a questioner of Mr. 11. E. Combs (Labour, Wellington Suburbs), speaking at Woburn lust night. "No,” said Mr. Combs. Some applause greeted his reply.

The National Party will encourage the people to own their own homes, said Mr. AV. A. Veitch (National, Wellington Sub; urbs), speaking at Khandallah. Ileal homes,” he added, "not merely houses, as is the position under the present Government liousing scheme, in wiiich the tenant pays rent in perpetuity.”

“Labour is going to rehabilitate New Zealand on orthodox finance, but you cannot borrow yourself out of debt."—Mr. E. A. Ellis (Democratic Labour, Pahiatua). • • •

“Are you in favour of the Russian system?” the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, was asked at a meeting last night. ‘No, he replied. “You know perfectly well that I don’t stand for the Soviet system. The system that suits New Zealand is our own democratic Parliamentary system.”

"I believe in unionism,” said Air. S. G. Holland, leader of the National Party, last night. - "But I do object to my son having to pay a compulsory union levy to the funds of a party which wants to see his father put out of Parliament. When we come into power we shall pass an Act making it illegal for a union to make a compulsory levy on its members for political purposes. # ♦ *

. “Our Labour members musr rate (be workers’ intelligence very low when they try to convince them that all opponents of the Labour Party are against the working man. As far as I am concerned I never cut a worker's wage or put oil an employee through causes outside the worker’s control.”—Mr. AV. J. Crawford (Independent. Otaki), speaking at AA aikauae last week. * ♦ *

"We aim at building an economic democracy.”—Mr. AA’. J. Broadfoot (National, AVaitomo). K' * *

New Zealand had sent. 20.000.000 eggs the Pacific Islands during the past few months to feed malaria-stricken soldiers, and would continue to do so; people could snivel as much as they liked, said Mr. R. Semple (Labour, AV ellington East), speaking in the Capitol Theatre, Miramar, last night, when answering a question. He remarked that he and others could not be expected to run round the fowl-yards exhorting the. liens to lay.

“From what the Prime Minister, Air. Fraser, hag said about members’ pledges and the impossibility of government if members voted as they liked, it is obvious that he expects the members of his party to vote against their consciences.” said Mr. S. G. Holland, Leader of the National Partv, speaking in the Opera House, AVellington, last night. “If a Labour member votes against the decision of the Labour caucus, he is thrown out of the party. The Labour members must go into'Parliament to be moved round like chessmen by the Prime Minister- —or by a hidden hand.”

"I would be willing to overlook a great deal of the dim and distant past records of certain Parliamentarians if only they would make a better showing in the present war. Practically everyone in this audience knows of cases where manpower and resources are being simply wasted and already our soldiers—and dependants of soldiers —are learning how unsympathetic our politicians are toward the fighting men.” —Mr. AV. J. Crawford (Independent, Otaki), in a recent address.

Before Labour came in the only war article New Zealand made was the .303 bullet: due to the foresight of the Labour Government in encouraging New Zealand industries, the country was able to switch over rapidly to war production, and today even turned out ships.—Mr. G. Hansen (Labour. Pahiatua), speaking at Woodville.

“The next step of this Government will be State planning. State production and State control of all industrty.” said Mr. AA T . J. Broadfoot (National AVaitomo) in his address last night. “And what must inevitably happen then? Every instance in history has resulted in dictatorship, where there is no freedom of speech, no freedom of election, no freedom of religious worship and no freedom of organization. Proof of this is abundant.” » « •

“My influence will be used against the people of this country becoming flatdwellers,” said the Prime Minister. Air. P. Fraser, speaking in the Oddfellows Hall, M r ellington, last night. Though flats served a purpose for young couples and old people they were no good for families. “The best living accommodation for this country is the individual house with its own garden and grounds—and that is the policy of the Government,” Air. Fraser added.

"There have been bleats that Air. Holland has changed his coat,” said. Air. T. O. A. Hislop, introducing the Leader of the Opposition (Air. >S. G. Holland), in fhe Opera House. Wellington, last night. “Syd. Holland has only changed his coat once,” declared Air. Hislop, "and that was when he changed from khaki to civilian clothes.”

Twenly-two young Afaoris had already been trained as carpenters at Rotorua and were now erecting houses for Alaori returned men. said Mr. E. L. Cullen (Labour. Hawke's Bay), speaking at Putorino. A carpentry training centres, he added, would also’be established very soon in Hastings.

“The National Party will allow no labour union or law to stand in the way of returned men getting jobs,” said the leader of the party (Air. S. G. Holland 1, ripenking in AVellington last night, referring to a complaint of such happenings made by fhe president of the Auckland branch of the Returned Services Association.

“The New Zealand Labour Government has never had a free and unfettered chance to carry through all it wanted to do in 1935.” said Mr. It. Semple (Labour, Wellington East) in an address in the Capitol Theatre. Miramar, last night. “We were elected in the midst of a slump when 70.000 strong men were begging for the right to work. I never shall forget it. I had to help pull this country out of a man-made depression which never should have happened. It is preposterous to suggest that people should starve in the midst of plenty. Thousands of men and women were thrown into the gulf of poverty because the politicians of that day were lashed to the chariot, wheels of Mammon. If you want a spectacle like that again, put the other crowd in. If you want another dose you arc gluttons.” (A voice: “You’re telling me.’ - )

The Labour Government tinted about pensions, but pensions wore not enough, said Mr. J. J. Maher (National, Wairarapa), in a recent address. The widows and orphan sons of men killed in this war should be given a chance of getting land equal to that of a returned soldier. They should be given the opportunity to start in business, and it should be seen to that' the children were not in any way handicapped because their father had laid down his life. The Labour Government were nil in favour of lip service, and their humanitarianism ran only as deep as was necessary to get votes. He was of the opinion that if the widows and children of men killed or disabled in fighting for the Empire were called on to make a double sacrifice, then this Dominion should hang its head in shame for ever.

“The miners are not the only ones who have a monopoly of economic power in New Zealand. . The doctors are dictating to us in just the same way as the miners have done. But what are you going to do? Are you going Io put them in jail as was proposed witli the Ilunlly miners? No. You can't because they have a monopoly of the services." Questions about the status of the medical profession in New Zealand brought this reply from Mr. C. Morgan Williams (Labour, Kainpoi) at a meeting at Islington. “Why don't yon put some healthy-minded boys into the Medical School, then, and do away with the present system?" asked a man in the audience. ‘'That is exactly what we are doing." said Mr. Williams. ‘The medical profession Ims too long been the ’ remunerative preserve of those wealthy enough to afford the training.”

"I don’t think there is very much need for me to introduce Mr. Nash.” said the deputy-mayor of Petone (Mr. 11. Green) on '.Tuesday night. “He is very well known.” A voice: “In AVashmgton. » « *

"In my experience in polities I have, not known of an election where there have been so many saviours of (lie country or so much misrepresentation—l might even say downright lies —as in the present campaign.”—Mr. ,1. O’Btieu (Labour, AVestland). * * ft

Quoting Mr. Churchill’s phrase. "Let us go forward together,” Mr. A\. A. Veitch (National. AVellington Smmrbs), speaking this week said that this was an analogy of the National Party s middle-of-the-road policy. This policy, he said, was neither conservative nor socialistic, but a policy in which all classes ol the community would benefit. a ft ft

“Chain a dog to his kennel for three years and then let him loose. You will find that he is so. unused to freedom that it is some time before he will leave, the circle of his confinement. So, too. is it with people who are freed from the restricting influence of bonded debt. It takes some time for them to realize their freedom. Till understanding comes, it seems too good to be true.”- —Mr.. Douglas Cresswell (Democratic Labour, Timaru).

“The issue is crystal clear between the National Party and the present Government,” said Air. AV. J. Broadfoot (National, AVaitomo) in his address last night. “The question is democracy or State socialism, freedom or State bondage. Disraeli had said an individual was one in whom no one could not place dependence, said Mr. Broadfoot in a reference to. the multitude of Independent candidates, and he though! that definition still held good. * *

“When the Labour Government took over we had insufficient military strength to protect a currant bun from a blowfly.” —Mr. R. Semple (Labour. AVellington East), addressing electors in the Capitol Theatre. Miramar, last night. “We could have stoushed tire Japanese with wheelbarrows, though.” he added. “AA'c had enough of them.” * » «

“Nobody can buy a trawler to start in the fishing industry without obtaining a licence from the Bureau of Industry. They ask in the newspapers if anybody objects to the licence being granted, and if the people who have the monopoly object, the licence is not granted. That is bureaucratic control for you.”—Air. R. G. Brown (National, Christchurch East).

“It is a very important Act, so important that the United Kingdom Government has cabled for a copy,” said Mr. H. E. Combs (Labour, AVellington Suburbs), when speaking on the Land Sales Act at Woburn last night. Great Britain had a vast land settlement problem and was very interested in New Zealand's approach to it, he added.

The Land Sales Act was a wholly socialistic piece of legislation and a step toward the implementation of the Labour Party’s land policy, namely, that all land should be transferred wholly to the State and at a valuation fixed by the. State, said Mr. M. S. Spencd (National, Napier) at a meeting in the Municipal Theatre, Napier. The Labour Government, he continued, was following a well-thought-out plan, proceeding step by step till it reached a point at which it could take over all land, or so control those who use it that private ownership would become a shadow without any real substance.

“We are even subsidizing chocolates,” said Mr. AV. Nash (Labour, Petone) when speaking at Petone on Tuesday night. “AVho wants chocolates?” said a constant interjector. "You would be much sweeter with some chocolates,” said Mr. Nash amid laughter.

"The . Minister of Transport, Mr. O’Brien, has been talking snecringly of women in hotel lounges sipping cocktails and discussing the egg shortage.” said Mr. C, G. Harker (National, Waipawa) s’peaking at AVaipawa. “The Minister is doubtless better acquainted with the habits in his own electorate than 1 am, but if he will visit this electorate be will not fiud our countrywomen sitting in hotel lounges sipping cocktails. On the contrary, he will find them doing a bigger day’s work than his miners oi; watersiders, even if they arc solid workers, and he will find also that they do not get off with a five or even a six-day week. He will certainly find them complaining of food shortages in items handled by the Internal Marketing Division, and that even Ministers of the Crown have lessons to learn in just how much work our countrywomen do in a week.”—“Dominion” Special Service.

“Who cut their wages in 1931?” asked Mr. W. Nash (Labour, Hutt) when referring on Tuesday night to the National Party’s promises concerning the civil servant “Who taxed them?” asked an interjector.

For a man who advertised himself iu New Zealand as one of the world’s greatest. statesmen, Mr. Nash showed a lamentable lack of appreciation of the National Party aims and objects to state, as he had done, at Napier that there were only two issues to be decided, namely, whether the people wanted a continuation of the present Labour Government or whether they would send into Parliament men who would bring, back the conditions existing before 1935, said Mr. M. S.'Spence (National. Napier) speaking at Pakowbai. Mr. Nash knew well that: the slump was world-wide and it would be as logical to blame him for the fact that the country was now at war as it would be to blame the then Government for the slump. At the lime there was a Labour Government in New South Wales and things were much worse than in New Zealand. In 1933 the average price a bale for wool was £7/10/3. In 1937 the average price was £22/0/8. This rise in the value of primary products was the sole reason for New Zealand’s recovery from the slump, and it had nothing whatever to do with the Labour Party s policy. “Frankly, however, we consider that mistakes were made by the then Finance Minister during the slump. ’ added Mr. Spence, “ami he admitted them later on; but the National Party will make certain that the /errors of the slump period are never again repeated. * # «

Marked differences between the Maori and European methods of holding election meetings were apparent at, a meeting addressed by Major IV. K. Poala, M.C. and bar (Unofficial Labour. Northern Maori), in Auckland. The meeting, held under the chairmanship of Mr. 11. Leaf, was opened by the father of the candidate, the Rev. K. Ponta, with n short, prayer, which was followed by a hymn. .