WELLINGTON EAST

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 136, 6 December 1919, Page 11

WELLINGTON EAST

MR. L. M'KENZIE AT KILBIRNIE

Mr. L. M'Kenzie, Liberal candidate for Wellington East, addressed a meeting of rather more than a score of electors at Kilbirnie last evening. Mr. A. G. Wallace presided. At the outset the candidate emphasised the urgent need for further production. If New Zealand produced the goods, the sale was there, aud the price, and, given production, there was a splendid time before the people of the Dominion. It was due to the country to get a little back from the producer to relieve the cost of living, which was pressing so hard on the middle classes. He firmly believed in the requisition or commandeer and its continuance for the benefit of the Empire as a whole. If the goods of New Zealand were sold to the highest bidder, it meant that tho people of New Zealand could not carry on—he meant the working people and the people only moderately off in the towns and cities. For the protection of the people of New Zealand he believed in producing and increasing the primary industries, but it would be folly to expect to be able to compete in the manufacture of iron and steel with the great industrial countries of the old world. To-day the goods manufactured in New Zealand were soMi not at a reasonable margin over their cost price, but at a price just under what it cost to land imported articles of a similar kind.

Continuing, the candidate contended that the people of New Zealand were between the coalminer and the shipowner, and suffered accordingly. Why* should the people of New Zealand be at tho mercy of any body of men who happened to have money invested in any enterprise? He referred particularly to the gas trouble at Mirumaxi and held that the Government jhould have power' to force such a dispute out into the open for an impartial hearing. Dealing with tbe question of unimproved value of land, the candidate said that the increase between 1913 and 1916 was £48,000,000, or an average yearly increase of £10. 000,000.

In conclusion Mr. M'Kenzie declared that the country to-day wanted for its representatives in Parliament sound business men, who had experience, and could keep their heads in times of trouble. Ho contended that such men wera best likely to be found on the Liberal side. (Hear, hear, and applause.) In answer to questions the candidate said he was utterly opposed to Sir James Allen's four months' scheme of military training. They were better without it. They did not want a military class; they wanted training in commerce, for tha commercial war to come. He believed, with Lloyd George, it was time to break up the shells. He was in favour of granting full political rights to Civil Servants. A hearty vote of thanks and confidence was moved and seconded by speakers who paid an enthusiastic tribute to the local services of the candidate. The motion was carried unanimously.