GENERAL ELECTION

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 124, 21 November 1935, Page 29

GENERAL ELECTION

COMMUNIST AIMS ELECTION POLICY NEED FOR UNITED FRONT Miss Constance Rawcliffe, me Communist candidate for the Wellington East seat, addressed a fair audience in St. Jude's Hall, LyaJl Bay, last night. She was giveh a very attentive hearing.

The chairman, Mr. R.F. Griffin, said that the Communist Party did not claim that if its candidates, of whom there were four in New Zealand, were returned.they would get everything they .wanted, and >iave all their demands met. What would' be done would be. to use the Parliamentary machine as a forum, from which they would speak to and organise the workers outside Parliament. Miss Rawcliffe set out and elaborated upon the Communist Party election programme, grouped under four main headings:— For the improvement of the conditions of workers.—Restoration of all wage cuts and abolition of wage tax and levies; abolition of the system of State arbitration and the- legal recognition of the right to strike; equal pay tor equalVwork; a seven-hour day without wage reductions; a minimum rate for farm workers and right to organise .trade unions; free non-contribu-tory unemployment insurance; 10s immediate increase in relief scales; no differentiation between men and women on relief and proportionate relief for unemployed youth.

Against Fascism and War.—No expenditure on war preparations; repudiation of all Imperial commitments for participation in Imperial wars: against all legislation which restricts the right of working class freedom of speech, assembly, and Press; against all repressive measures of the State against the working class and legisla tion by means of Order in. Council. For the Improvement of the Condi tions of the Small and Middle Farmers —Abolition of the Mortgage Corporation and repeal of the Agricultural Emergency Act; prohibition of forced sales and evictions; the optional cancellation of orders, upon produce and cream cheques, orders to be valid only after a basic net income of £15(1 per year, after payment of all farm expenses is assured-to the farmer; reduction of tariffs on articles of prime necessity; compulsory reduction of interest on' all farm loans by 50 per cent. • ' , •

For Race Equality.—Equal treatment of Maoris and pakeha in relief wages and social services; abolition of all repressive legislation against the Samoaas and legal recognition of the Mau; withdrawal of the banishment of the Samdan leader and the liberation of all Samoans imprisoned for Mau activities; self-determination for the Maoris .and "Samoa for the Samoins;"

CABOUR .party and the WORKERS.

The Labour Party, said the candidate, had ho independent programme; there was no fundamental difference between it and the programmes of the Coalition "and the Democrat Parties. That was precisely the position in England when the Government forced the last election—a year earlier than necessary. The British Labour Party was out-manoeuvred and swamped. The Labour Party at Home was faced with the necessity of adopting a militant policy and joining forces with the Communist Party. The Labour Party could not stand aside for another four years "and ask for a chance then to put forward a programme, for. there were plain indications of a growing militant feeling which would not tolerate inaction.

ACCUSED OF ADVOCATING VIOLENCE. The' Communists were-accused of advocating violence, said' Miss Rawcliffe, _ What an absurd, and amazing criticism from the supporters of Governments which spent millions upon armaments devilishly' designed for the perpetration of violence-in its most scientific forms. The Communist Party worked to the end of taking away from Governments the power of doing violence to each other. Many believed that Fascism would never come to British countries, that Fascism was something for Italy and Central Europe, but even in New Zealand, in the "Waihi strike, in the treatment of conscientious objectors during the war, foretastes had been given of the Fascist terror that was the natural outcome of the decadent capitalist system unless the workers were strongly organised. It was more than ever essential for all workers to join in the United Front, To representations to the Labour Party that a conference should be held upon the question of the formation of a single campaign organisation no reply was received. Until workers united on one front, as they had now done in France, as they earlier did in Russia, they would be driven back, their conditions of ]ife degraded, and they would be led to war. Communist candidates were not splitting the working-class vote; the "Labour" candidates were doing that, for theirs was not a policy for the benefit of the workers, but of collaboration and co-operation with the capitalists, in which policy the Communists and the true interests of the workers would never agree. IMPERIAL TIES RECIPROCAL TRADE URGED At the conclusion of the address of Mr. W. Appleton, Independent candidate for Otaki, at the Public Hall, Pahautanui, last evening, Mr. W. H. Smith stated that they had listened to a most interesting speech, and he had pleasure in moving not only a vote of thanks to the candidate, but their absolute confidence 'in him as their I future member. This was seconded by | Mr. S. Dorizac, and carried by ac- j clamation. Mr. W. Melted presided over a large gathering of electors. Mr. Appleton said that it was imperative that we should encourage a greater volume of trade with Great Britain and other parts of the British Commonwealth of Nations, by complying more with the spirit and letter of the Ottawa Agreement. "It is vital," o-aid the speaker, "that we retain a free and unrestricted market in the United Kingdom for our primary produce. The main cause of a lot of our trouble has been the complete breakdown of the method of distribution which has been brought about by tariffs, quotas, exchange control, and interference by Governments. Although Mr. Coates has been fortunate enough to fix up a satisfactory arrangement with Great Britain, it must be remembered that by June next we shall have to come to a definite decision. The Minister of Finance admitted on his return from the Old Country that members of the British Cabinet had told him that next year Great Britain would go over to a policy of fixed tariffs on imported foodstuffs. What we have to try and bring about is to get a tariff v/all against the foreigner and a sheltered market for our own produce, and this would mean a new era of prosperity to our farmers/'

The candidate stated that while it was needful to protect, economic local industries, it must not be overlooked that our big market n-as the Old Country.

TAXATION PROBLEM DEMOCRAT PARTY'S REMEDY "The sales tax is a dastardly imposition which places a burden even on the half-starved unemployed worker and his family," stated Mr. W. Duncan, Democrat candidate ' for Wellington East, in, his. address at the. Rbseneath Schoolroom last evening. The meeting was presided over by Mr. A. H. Light. The speaker said that the sales tax was a by-product of the exchange and currency juggling practised by the Government. The sooner it was eliminated the better for all classes of the community. The Government had crushed the people with millions of taxation so that the taxation per head of the people of New Zealand amounted to over £2O as compared with the Com- | monwealth and State taxation in Aus- . tralia of about £l3 per head. I The Democrat Party had made an exhaustive investigation of the taxation problem, said Mr. Duncan, and had reviewed numerous proposals to place the sales tax on a more equitable basis, but finally was forced to the conclusion that the only solution of the problem was the total abolition of the sales tax. With, reference to the Government's high exchange policy, Mr Duncan asserted that if clearly did' not add one far-thing to the national income of the country. All that it did was to collect a 25 per cent, tax from the whole of the community, including the farmers, through the goods they purchased and through their rates, and to pay the farmers, rich as well as poor, a 25 per cent, bonus on all produce they sold abroad. The high exchange rate was reflected in every home. Every pound of butter' was loaded with 2d or 3d, and every pound of tea was similarly loaded to defray the cost of exchange. It was an intolerable burden without the abominable sales tax. Every necessity of life was taxed by high exchange—such as meat, butter, cheese, fruit, fish, and clothing. The taxation proposed by Mr. Coates this year was exactly 50 per cent, greater than the taxation collected in 1932—0n1y three years ago. r The actual increase was £8,000,000 in three years. The thing was preposterous in view of the huge reduction in income, wages, and salaries of all classes of the community. The Democrat Party would reduce taxation. That was one of the party's most important planks, said Mr. Duncan. The removal of the exchange rate, which would be effected by easv stages, would release the Government and local bodies of huge liabilities each year in exchange on payments of interest and other oversea commitments. "The. farmer must be assisted. That is an urgent responsibility which the Democrat Party is determined to carry out," asserted Mr. Duncan. "Our oversea debts cannot be paid except by our exports. The Democrat Party will pay an export bonus to all farmers who are in need of it. This is a job which we have planned as part of our scheme and we shall not, under any circumstances, resort to any expediency involving the slightest inflation as proposed by the Labour Party.". At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Duncan answered a number of questions. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks and confidence. "ELECTORS AMAZEIF MR. BUTLER ON MR. WRIGHT "The present member for. Wellington .Suburbs, (Mr, R. A. Wright) has changed-his ..political, coat so of ten-that it is now threadbare," said Mr. P. M. Butler, Labour candidate for the seat, at a midday meeting at Northland today. ''Electors who have attended his meetings ,or who have followed reports in the Press, will have noted his concern for a 'strong Government,' 'the steadying influence of Independents in Parliament,' his condemnation of 'party politics.' Electors are amazed at the versatility of my opponent," said Mr. Butler, "and they are asking what manner of man is this that speaks in. so many diverse tongues. He has a suitable policy for every day, and a vote to suit each policy. He is delightfully consistent in his inconsistency. "Only a few months ago," said Mr. Butler, "the ; present member accepted the title of the 'biggest Tory in the House.' yet he is now attempting to explain away his support of the Government. Surely my opponent underrates the memories and the intelligence of the electors, if he expects them to endorse such transparent political cajolery. It is time that Mr. Wright discarded the deliberately misleading pose which he has adopted. He was elected to support a team, and he deserted it in the middle of the game. He condoned the actions of the Government in enforcing the exchange manipulation, the sales tax, wages and salaries reductions, reductions in old age and soldiers' pensions, and all other reactionary legislation by repeatedly voting confidence in it. Whilst condoning such actions, he now shuns all. responsibility when the culprits are on trial. There is no such thing as King's evidence in politics, and Mr Wright will learn that the people expect their representatives to play the game.

*'The electors of Wellington Suburbs are entitled to know, without any equivocation, the attachments of any candidate. It is unfair to ask for votes without telling the people how thev will be utilised. The electors of Wellington Suburbs know that the Labour candidate stands definitely for the practical policy of the Labour Party, and is pledged to write it into the laws of the country. The electors should know where Mr. Wright stands, and, m fairness to them, his policy should be clearly stated. It is not sufficient to speak in negative terms. A definite affirmative has been given by me, and should be given by my opponent." XATIOffAL HEALTH N.Z. BEHIND THE TIMES

Speaking last night at Reikorangi Mr. n. W. Bothamley, Democrat candidate for Otaki, reviewed his party's policy and referred particularly to the question of national health. He contended that, in so far as national health was concerned, the Dominion was at least twenty years behind the times. Notwithstanding that he was a strong supporter of the children's health camp at Otaki, it was not to the credit of the Dominion that in the midst of plenty it was found necessary to have such institutions to care for undernourished children. Institutions of such a nature, stated Mr. Bothamley, should be a responsibility of the State and should not have to depend on outside support. In further reference to the number of Maori deaths in the district, Mr. Bothamley contended that the Native Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) had ignored the challenge by the speaker that the heavy mortality was directly due to the deplorable conditions under which Maoris were compelled to live. The Democrat Parly would alleviate the position of those who were suffering from malnutrition and bad housing.' That such a slate of affairs was permitted to exist was definite proof, alleged the candidate, that the Maori people were not receiving the consideration due to them, and an immediate investigation was required. The chairman of Ihc meeting iv,i?

Mr. Myers, and the candidate received a vote of thanks for his address. Earlier in the evening Mr. Bothamley addressed a meeting at the soldiers' road camp, Paraparaumu. campaign" notes FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE "Labour members of Parliament and those who are on our local bodies are constantly confronted with problems of finance, and they know as much, .and frequently more about it, than their opponents," said Mr. C. H; Chap[man (Labour, Wellington North) last night. "Finance is sometimes referred to almost as if it were a sacred thing. All the American loans to

I Great Britain were based . on repayment in gold at parity when the loan was issued, but when the time for re--1 payment arrived it was discovered there wasn't enough gold in the British Empire to repay them, so Britain with the rest of the world had to default. The basis of finance today is credit which is represented by the entry of figures in a book." LABOUR AND GAMING Asked last night what the attitude of the Labour Party was towards measures for the licensing of bookmakers, publication of dividends, and the introduction of a double tote, Mr. C. H. Chapman (Labour, Wellington North) said that Labour had never definitely made a stand regarding gaming legislation. It was one of the matters which was left to the individual. MEETING UNANIMOUS After several questions had been answered by Mr. E. W. Nicolaus at his meeting last night he asked: "Is there anyone in this hall who is not convinced that the private ownership of land is the root cause of our troubles?" There was no reply. "There you are," said the candidate, "the whole meeting is unanimous that the private ownership of land is the root of the trouble." (Applause.) AWARD FOR DOMESTICS Mr. C. H. Chapman, Labour candidate for Wellington North, stated last night that he thought there should be a minimum wage for domestic servants. As far as providing an award for domestic servants was concerned that would be quite in order. Even now if domestic servants would organise themselves it would he possible to obtain an award. BURDEN OF TARIFFS

The farmers of New Zealand were getting '£14,500,000 more than they earned, Mr. E. W. Nicolaus declared at his meeting at Hataitai last evening. That money was taken from the wage-earners and handed to the farmers. The same was true of industry because the people of New Zealand were paying millions more than necessary for the goods manufactured in New Zealand. "You men are paying £1,000,000 too much for your tobacco," he said, "and God knows what you are paying for your drinks." (Laughter:) Everything was taxed from the cradle to the grave, and the people submitted to it because they had been brought up to> believe that there was no other source of income for the Government. The Commonwealth Land Party was out to show that there was another and better source of national income.

GOVERNMENT BY BOARDS In stating that the Labour Party it returned to office would reduce the number of boards at present in operation, and divide the work amongst the members of Parliament, Mr. C. H. Chapman (Labour, Wellington North) detailed salaries paid to various- board members, and said they amounted to approximately £30,000 per annum. The total cost for eighty members of Parliament, he added, was £36,000.

PAYING FOR WAR "If the people of this country decided to fight they would have to fight out of land rents. If they wanted to go on they would have to produce the materia] needed for nothing as Napoleon did. He carried on war.for thirty years without any debt on France. Britain carried on the same war and piled up a debt of £200,000,000." This was Mr. E. W. Nicolaus's reply last night when he was asked how a war could be financed if all revenue came from land rent. No people had a right to pile up debts for their children to pay, he added. (Applause.)

PARLIAMENTARY SALARIES "With regard to the remuneration of members of Parliament, while the present standard of the wages of the workers remains as low as it is I am not in favour of an increase in the honorarium. If it is found possible to increase the wages of the workers, and to increase the wages of civil servants, well then, surely the Parliamentarian ought to participate in that increase." —Mr. C. H. Chapman, Labour candidate for Wellington North. "MOST UNRELIABLE" The opinion that Independents were most unreliable and before voting looked to see which side would be most popular was expressed by Mr. C. H. Chapman, Labour candidate for Wellington North, in the Caledonian Hall last night. Mr. Chapman said that the present election was actually a contest between National Party candidates and Labour Party candidates. As far as Wellington North Avas concerned 'there would be a third party, an Independent candidate. Any vote which should be a Labour vote which was going to that Independent candidate would be a vote wasted. "Any vole given to an Independent candidate in this election might just as well not be cast," continued Mr. Chapman, "because the Independents in Parliament are most unreliable. The Independents can be described as sitting on the fence, looking, when a vote is to be cast, which side will be the most popular. In a case of principle as far as the average Independent is concerned it is usually a case of expediency,"

THE LIQUOR QUESTION

"What are your views on the liquor question?" Mr. C. A. L. Trcadwell, Nationalist candidate for Wellington North, was asked at his Aro Street meeting last night. "X think you and I will probably agree, sir," replied the candidate, amidst laughter. Mr. Treadwell added that if the majority for Continuance were increased, the country should not be put to the cost or a referendum Tiiext time. (Hear, hear.' "YES" OR "NO" A questioner at Mr. O. C. Mazcri- , garb's meeting at Roscneath framed ; his question this way: "Would Mr. ;■ Miizongorb—and I want no beating .about the bush—viU he answer Yes jo:- No—if a majority of unionists ap- | pi-cinched the Government and asked en- n restoration of compulsory urbi-

tration would he support them?" Mr. Mazengarb (emphatically): "Yes!" The questioner was on his feet again to argue the point but a number of those present protested that the questioner had asked for a straight answer and had received it.

PUZZLED FRITZ

Mr. O. C. Mazengarb illustrates the effect of inflation of the currency by telling the story of Fritz the Bavarian farmer who said: "Before der war, I to der market go mit mein money in mein pocket and I home come with mein goods in mein bag. Now I to der market go mit mein money in der bag on mein shoulder and I home come mit mein goods in mein pocket."

CANDIDATES' MEETINGS

. Mr. E. W. Nicolaus, Commonwealth Land Party candidate for Wellington East, will speak tonight at the Lyall Bay tram terminus at 7.30 o'clock; on Friday night, Worser Bay boat shed, 8 o'clock; Saturday, Kilbimle Post Office, 7.30 o'clock; and Sunday. Kinema Theatre, Kilbirnie, at 8.15 o'clock. i

Mr. O. C. Mazengarb, National candidate for Wellington East, will address the electors as follows:—Tonight, Kilbirnie, Taia Hall; Friday, Hataitai, Public School; Saturday, Worser Bay, Public School; and on Monday at Lyall Bay, Seaside Pictures.

Mr. R. A. Wright,. Independent candidate for Wellington Suburbs, will address the electors at St. Anne's Hall, Northland, tonight at 8 o'clock. Mr. W. J. Gaudih, independent candidate for Wellington East, will address the electors as follows: —Hataitai, The Realm, tonight at 8 o'clock; Miramar, St. Aidan's Schoolroom, tomorrow (Friday), and Seatoun Kiosk on Saturday at 8 p.m. Mrs. Knox Gilmer, Independent candidate for Wellington North, will address the electors at St. Paul's Schoolroom, Sydney Street, tonight (Thursday) at 8 o'clock; and at St. Francis Hall, Hill Street, on Tuesday next at 8 p.m. . Tonight Mr. R. McKeen, Labour candidate for Wellington South, will address three open-air meetings at the corner of Howard and Wallace Streets at 7 p.m., opposite the Tea Rooms, Zoo Gates, at 7.45 p.m., and at the corner of Owen and Constable Streets at 8.30 p.m. Tomorrow evening Mr. McKeen will speak at the corner of Milton and Luxford Streets.

This evening Mr. C. H. Chapman, Labour candidate for Wellington North, will address two open-air meetings at the corner of Brook and Murphy Streets at 7.30 p.m. and in Cottleville Terrace at 8.15 p.m. Tonight Mr. R. Semple, Labour candidate for Wellington East, will address electors in the Ratepayers' Hall, Melrose, at 8 o'clock, and in the Kilbirnie School, Moxham Avenue, at 9 o'clock.

This evening Mr. P. M. Butler, Labour candidate for Wellington Suburbs, will address electors in the Baptist Schoolroom, Brooklyn. Mr. V. E. Jacobson, Nationalist candidate for Hutt, will address electors at the King George Theatre,. Lower Hutt, tonight and at Wilford School tomorrow night. Mr. J. I. Goldsmith, Democrat, Wellington South, will address electors as follows:—St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, tonight, 8 o'clock; St. Thomas's Hall, Monday, 3 p.m.; St. Thomas's Hall, Tuesday, 8 p.m. Mr. W. J. Mason, Nationalist candi- 1 date for Wellington Central, will speak j at Kent Terrace Schoolroom tonight at 8 o'clock. Mr. G. A. Monk, the National Government* candidate for Otaki, will adelectors at the Church Hall, Belmont, tonight at 8 o'clock, and tomorrow night at the Theatre Royal, Plimmerton.- On Saturday afternoon at 2.30 o'clock in the Tennis Club Hall, I Pukerua Bay, and on Saturday evening at 8 o'clock in the Schoolroom, Newlands.

Mr. H. F. Toogood, Nationalist candidate for. Wellington South, will speak at the Newtown School at 8 o'clock tomorrow evening.