CAMPAIGN NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 101, 26 October 1925, Page 9

CAMPAIGN NOTES

Peopling sthe Country.

"The Labour Party," remarked Mi\ H. S. S. Kyle (Reform candidate for Riccarton) at Soekburn, "says that the Government, by means of immigration, is flooding the Labour market." A voice: "So it is." ■ Tho candidate : "We have not Drought into New Zealand more men than those who lost their lives in the war. The nominative system has been in force, and there has been no desire to bring out more immigrants than we can find .employment for." Denies He Said It. Speaking at Westown on Thursday night, Mr. S. G. Smith, Ml 5., Nationalist candidate for' Tarn naki, gave a flat contradiction to the statements made by Mr. W. A. Sheat that he (Mr. Smith) had'asked him what his .opponents had given him to contest the election. Mr. Smith was emphatic in his statement that never at any time since the campaign commenced had he mentioned Mr. Bellringer's name to Mr. Sheat.

Thirty Years Here,

"I am not a mother—no, I'm not! But I would be if I were a woman," said Mr. F. N. Bartiam, M.P. (Labour), in confidential tones, in a speech at Grey Lynn. "But, 1 am the father of four mothers, and the,grandfather of a* lot of grandchildren. I've been in New Zealand 30 years—keep that in the back of your mind (Jlr. Bartram's fist descended on tho table). And they call me a paid agitator from England!"

Mr. Lysnar On Trusts ana Strike,

Dealing with trusts at his meeting at Gisborue on Monday, Mr. W. D. Lysnar, M.P. (Independent Reform candidate), stated that he had never attempted to sell to Yestey's. He admitted i-hat there were negotiations with Armour's, but it would be better to haveall trusts "in rather than only one.

At tilts stage the interjections beenmc so continuous Hint Hie c)inirm<iu had to appeal for order, his request meeting with applause, while further iulcrjcciions elicited ;i, cull to "I'ul him out."

Referring to the .shipping strike, Mr. Lysnar said that both the other candidates had not spoken on this important question. The Labour Party had made no effort to stop the strike) but on the other hand had euecmrncred the strikers, although they were holding up the produce- of the Dominion and letting foreign producers in. The speaker quoted from "Fair Play" lo show that the English seamen were receiving much higher wa^es than those paid by other Continental countries. The cause of the strike did not concern New Zealand, and it should have been settled where it belonged. While the Labour leaders of New Zealand were in favour of the strike, it seemed that the rank and filo of the movement were too sane to support them.

A vnice: "How do you know that?" (Lnughler.)

i\'r. livsnar said that the watersiders luid continued to work the vessels, find the unions lmd not supported the strikers. The strike lmd lmd a serious effect on the producers of the Dominion, and if it continued the mallei- would lie mnt-e serious. Tfncl the Government not called for free Uiliom- to settle the s.trike it would'still be unbroken. A voice: "f-'eabs." Continuing, Sir. Lysnnr said the eountrv owed its thanks lo (lie Hovei-nint'iit for i( ; ; prompt aetinn. (Annhmse.) So did Iho working men of the eouuliy, who otliei-wisc would not hnvc bad eriiI'loymcut. A Misconception. " Can Uii! candidate give any explanafion of the fact that Ministers and members' salaries in the New South Wales Parliament under the Labour

Government were almost doubled recently V was a question put to Mr. Savage on Saturday evening, reports tho Press Association.

Mr. Savage said he could, as he was instrumental in sending an urgent cablegram to the Premier (Mr. Lang) inquiring on 'l..ohair of tlm New Zealand Labour Party what was to be said. Mr. Lang replied that i lit; increase was granted with the full approval of all parlies. Labour had not gone into the House with a. majority and pushed the measure through. Mr. Hnvagc said it was entirely a misconception io believe thai Labour had brought in the Dill for its own benefit.

The Real Trouble,

"1 have been told," stated Mr. H. -A (more, candidate for Nelson, tho other night, "that no one knows just where I am. They say they don't know where I stand. The trouble with the ether candidates is that they do know where I sit,"

"The Loosehold."

"I want to refer to the policy known us the usehold, or stronghold, or loosehold oE the Labour Party. It was formulated in a- watchmaker's shop in your own town of Pahncrston North," said Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., at Palmerston North. (Laughter.)

"Gone One Better."

The religion of the Labour Party, according to the M.P. for Napier, appeared to be plenty of everything and less work, said Mr. Nash at Palmerston North. This reminded Mr. Nash of the Maori who considered Mr. Holland a greater benefactor than the Deity, who had said work six days a week, but Mr. Holland had gone one belter with fivo days a week. (Laughter.)

Need for Stable Government.

Mr. .B. Musters, .M.P. '(National Party candidate for Stratford), advocated at Stratford on Wednesday the abolition of tho three-party system and the." formation of a now national party, composed of the best men and the best brains available. In order to demonstrata the need for a strong and stable Government, Mr. Masters quoted figures to show that the National Debt had increased alarmingly without a corresponding increase in population, and that extensive borrowing still went on. He referred to extravagance and waste in departmental administration.

Charge of Corruption Resented,

*It was said by the Nationalist candidate at his meeting on Monday night that the Reform Government was corrupt," remarked Mr. G. R. Sykes, when addressing a political,meeting in Masterton. From that we can only assume that the leader of that Government and the.lato leader were corrupt. "Let me tell you," forcibly commented Mr. Sykes, "that the character of those gentlemen was and is above reproach, both in public and private life, and I resent the criticism that asserts they were corrupt." (Applause.) "Not Under Authority." An emphatic denial of the suggestion that Labour candidates were bound hand and foot to the leader of the party was made by Mr. W. Lee Martin (Labour candidate) at Hamilton. "I have been asked again and again whether it was a fact that my resignation is in the hands of Mr. Holland to be exercised at his will," he said. "I give that sug-, gestion an emphatic and unqualified' denial. I am standing for the policy enunciated by the members of tho Labour Party. If I am elected I will observe and carry out that policy which lias been expounded by me throughout this campaign." Mr. M. J. Savage endorsed Jlr. Leo Martin's remarks, and said tho Labour Party's leader consulted his colleagues on every detail, and there was no question of his having authority over them except as chairman of their meetings.

Meat Board Eulogised. Mr. James Ritchie (Reform candidate for Wakatipu) at a recent meeting eulogised the good work done by the Meat Control Board. It had opened up a trade with Italy for lean beef and for fat pork from the Dominion. This was practically a new market, and it absorbed beef and pork for which there was no market in the Dominion. What the Italians wanted was beef from old, done co-.vs, which were perfectly healthy, and tho pork required was from pigs fvom 4001b to 5001b weight, with about four or five inches of fat on the ribs. Soldiers' Derelict farms. A question put to Mr. 0. J. Hawken, INT..P., at his Rahotu meeting was • "What's the Government going to do with the farms which returned soldiers have had to leave?" Mr. Hawken : "Get rid of them. They will not be loaded with back rent." "No,- but with blackberry!" A Death-knell. - "If you hear any rumours of proposals to reduce the widows' pension," said Mr. C E. Slathaiu', at Dunedin, "I hope you will treat them as absolute nonsense. There is not a Government of any kind that, will dare to reduce tho pensions because thoy know very well that the moment they do so they will leave the Treasury benches." A Good Time Coming? "It really does not matter who tops Mic poll—it Ik only for a brief time. The Liberal Party is dead, and the Reform Party will soon pass into oblivion. Then Xc- Zealand will be governed by men with a greater ideal, a nobler ideal that will emanate from llio working people."—Mr. I!. Harrison, Labour candidate for Duncdin "West.

Mr. Lysiiar's Independence,

" I-'.lll independent," announced Mr. W. D. JLysn.ir at his inaugural meeting at; Gisbornc, in reference to his attitude towards tho iiarties. "Perhaps you are," interjected a voice. "But not through hard work," (Laughter.)

A Disciple of Sovietism,

That 00 per cent, of our Labour men are sane, but misled, is flic opinion of Mr. 11. L. Tapley, Reform candidate for Duuedin North. Speaking at Maori Hill, Mr. Tapley said tli«i*t were the Labour Party perfectly sane he would be tho first to support it. However, it was anything but sane, and its lea'dcr, Mr. .Holland, had openly avowed himself a firm diaciple of iSovietism.

It Has Its Advantages,

"Would you bo in favour of the appointment of women police?" was a question asked Mr. A.. E. Lnngdulc.l flint, Nationalist candidate i'or .Riccarton, at a recent meeting.

"If I were ;i wrongdoer, I certainly should he," was the candidate's reply.

Going on for "Donkey's Years."

At ISaliotH, Mr. O. ,1. Uawl;en,M.P., .Reform candidate' for Eginont, said that lit; ivns absolutely certain that .t0,000,000 could not be borrowed for agricultural banks at ."i>; per cent.

A. questioner: "II: you know these facts, why send a Commission abroad to investigate agricultural banks?"

'Mr. Jlawkeu.: "The Commission will cost about £5000,, and if it returns koine with eouio good idoaa the

I money expended will bo only a. drop iv the b .eket." "But these "bunks have been going on in other countries for "donkey's years'?' " "That is so, but no one in this country knows anything iibout them; •it k-iist, jiu one in the House." Next Time. Although Mr. Maurice Brownlie, the Alt Black t'ootb;i!ler, who was referred to recently as a possible candidate .for the Napier s<'iir, haa announced he is not ontoring Ihe political arena, lie siafes' that it ii; his intention Jatr.r on to stand for Parliament, lie will bo early in tho field at the .next General Election. Mr. Brownlio stated at Napier the other day that all sorts of. rumours had been.. started to kill his candidature at the present contest. One was that; he was coming out at tho behest of Mr. J. Vigor Brown, was simply "using" him for political purposes. "1 would like to give this statement, which has actually appeared iv print in a certain journal, my emphatic denial," ho said. "My candidature had absolutely nothing to do with Mr. Brown. I have never discussed tho matter with him, nor have I solicited his support. On the other hand, had he offered me support I would have gladly availed myself of it. This particular rumour is a deliberate lie, and has been circulated with a definite purpose ia view." "Judge for Yourselves." "I am not using any extravagant language respecting tho Labour Party," remarked the Prime Minister at Tc Kuiti on Saturday night. "It is not my habit to blackguard anybody. I only try to put the case 'plainly before tho people, and ask them to judge for themselves whether it is better than the one I find ' the. other side have put before them." A Candid Friend. Speaking at TarJki last night, Mr. E. Walter (Reform eandidato for .Stratford), said he was good friends with his opponent, Mr. Masters, and hoped that that would, always bo so. Anything he had to say in reference to Mr. Masters was in a political sense. He was elected six years ago, and had been pretty good at talking ever since. He rememberd him saying at the first election that he contested that the Liberals would be iv power, but as a matter of fact they lost seats. At tho next election Mr. Masters said tho Liberal-Labour Party would be returned to power, but they lost more seats and almost the oineinl Opposition. Then Mr. Wilford approached Mr. Holland with a view to fusion to oust the Government, but Mr. Holland said ho could not trust Mr. "Wilford's party. Then they approached the Reform Party and tried to fuse with it, and while they may not have ' demanded any portfolio, Mr. AVilford told them iv Hansard that the party expected five out of tlio twelve. Mr. Masters was just as bitter in his criticism of Mr. Ooatcs and his Government'as he was against Mr. Masscy, and yet, despite all his criticism ho and the party to which he belonged were willing that fusion should take xiliiee provided they could have got a number of port folios. It was not being sincere. Tho only time he had ever praised the Government was just before an election when he would tell them that the Government treated its political opponents just as fairly and impartially as it did its own members. He noticed that Mr. Masters had dropped his advocacy of State shipping, and also that they did hot hear so much about proportional representation at this election. That £7,000,000 Loan. Replying to tho criticisms of the National candidate regarding the recent New Zealand loan of fi, 7,000,----000 floated on the Lo]r n"".i market, Mr. G. R. Sykes, M.P. (the Reform candidate for Masterton), informed the electors at the Municipal Hall, Mastorton, that the lenders of- the Old Country had not lost confidence in the New Zealand public. At the same time as the Now Zealand loan was placed, and of which the underwriters had to subscribe 75 per cent., the London County Council placed a £0,000,000 loan, 68 per cent, of which was .subscribed by the underwriters, pud was redeemable at the same rate of interest as the New Zealand flotation. All those who r?".ced loans then had a. similar experience, but over a period of years New Zealand had placed her loans better than any other country in the world. The English lenders knew the New Zealanders were loyal; knew they would stand by the flag, and that they were industrious, producing more per capita than any other country in the world. They were' prepared to lend money at any time it was required.

The Commission Habit.

"How much money has been spent on commissions in the past three years';" was one of the many questions asked on this subject of Mr. 0. J. Hawken, M.P., at Raholu.

The Reform candidate replied thai commissions were useful.. Bolh Mr. "Wilford and Mr. Holland had asked i'or a commission lo investigate tlie charges made by Mr. Lysnar, M.P. The commission should not have cost no much, but that was Mr. Lysnar's fault, for he trebled the length' of the Nil ting. The commission on railways ■would save the country muney enough to pay for commissions for many years to come. The result of some of these commissions did not appear lo be productive of much good, but on the whole the system was sound "lid of much benefit to tho country.

"How many of tho recommendations of ,tho commissions have been carried out"?" persisted a questioner.

Mr. Hawken: "The Racing Commission's recommendations were good, but the House would not permit, their being carried out. The findings will bo a guide 1o the Government it' racing taxation is altered. It does not follow rliiit the ic.ommendations are given effect, to straight, away. Tho old Government had commissions also."

A Gas Attack,

Sl>e:iking in the Koskill elcctoriito recently, Air. Hall Skelton, Liberal candidate, said the, lock, .-stock, uiui barrel of .Reform lac-.tios was a gas attack, on Labour's land policy to hide the issue of (heir own gross'niisliandling of ilio land question. People ivho lived in glass houses sliouid not throw stones. They were glrid lo have the alleged Labour "Buishies" iiKhtinj; Their battles in the Urcat, War. It -was unmanly, iingnieioiif., and not [dayiaj; cricket to slander the Lalnnir .scl-ii.-rs of iVe.v Zealand hecause their socialisation and "usehold" [dauKs ivcje impracticable uud IM'OUg.