PAHIATUA

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 90, 13 October 1922, Page 8

PAHIATUA

(IT TStMRAPH.—PRESS ABSOeMTMM.)

DANNEVIRKE, This Day. Mr. E. A. Ransom, -who ia the official Liberal-Labour -candidate for the Pahiatua seat, opened his election campaign at ■ Matamau last night!. Mr. Ransom declared himself opposed to party government, but said he r did not think an Independent attitude, satisfactory. Therefore, while there' were' only two lobbies in the House, he believed a member should attach himself to the party which came nearest to his ideals. Therefore, he would support the Liberal Party. At the end of his address, the candidate said he would support princroles before -party -, measures before men. The candidate emphasised the fruits of past Liberal legislation,, and' declared that Liberalism was not "down and out," but was very much alive, and he. claimed that Mr. Massoy in 1911 sought the support of Labour to oust the Liberals. He condemned the Prime Minister for dragging tho Union Jaok in politics, stating that it was. a. dastardly act. Both Official Labour 3nd Reform feared tho Liberals. He criticised the vast increase' of tho country's expenditure, and suggested^ that experts ■; should investigate it with a view to effecting reforme. He advocated tho railways being removed from political control and •placed imd©r a board. He thought an improved system 'of . immisjration was needed so that new arrivals could be settled upon waste land and instructed in farming, and so become useful farmers and increase productivity. New industries should be encouraged, and -mope intensified and scientific farming with a uniform 7 system of herd-testing was needed. The present naval expenditure was necessary, but ho thought the Dominion's , contribution should \x> made Bt kind and not in cash. For every pound we. gave, the Imperial authorities should reciprocate by the purchase of stares. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to the candidate.