NATIONAL HOPES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1938, Page 21

NATIONAL HOPES

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND

(By Telegraph.) (Special to tha "Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, This Day.

The vote, of friendly societies is an important factor to be considered in the election, particularly in regard to the Social Security Act, which came in for trenchant criticism when the Otago District deputies of the Manchester -Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows met for the half-yearly meeting. The opinion, was freely expressed that the provisions of the Act meant slow strangulation and ultimate extermination of the friendly societies.

Their death-knell had been sounded, said one speaker. Friendly societies were opposed to the Social Security Act because they considered that the financial side of it was unsound and because it affected their membership.

Such expressions of opinion by such a body with its large membership must carry weight with the members belonging to it and other similar societies. All are determined not to allow their independence to be thrown to one side and give concern to the Labour Party in the city electorates particularly. Dr. McMillan, for one, will no doubt, have many questions to answer on social security before he concludes his campaign in Dunedin West, where the largest number in the city—about 4000 electors—have been added to the roll. Mr. T. K. S. Sidey, the National candidate for this seat, opened his campaign on Monday. He severely criticised social security and was accorded an ovation at the conclusion of his address.

A visit to Dunedin by the Prime Minister is expected on Thursday and Mr. J. A. Lee has spoken in the Hon. F. Jones's electorate, Dunedin South, the stronghold of Labour in the city electorates. On the same night Mr. Jones was at Balclutha speaking in support of the Labour candidate opposing the sitting member, Mr. J. McL. Roy. The Independent candidate, Mr. H. A. Brough, has now retired from Clutha, which has never yet returned a Labour member and is unlikely to do so on this occasion.

In Dunedin Central, Mr. W. J. Meade, Nationalist, is having very encouraging meetings and would appear to have the strongest Nationalist following in the four city electorates.

The Prime Minister and the Hon. R. Semple will both be at Invercargill this week where the Labour member, Mr. W. C. Denham, is up against strong opposition in Mr. P. G. HallJones, Nationalist. Labour in Southland will require all the assistance it can get from Mr. Savage and Mr. Semple.

Mr. W. A. Bodkin, the Otago Central member, speaks at Dunedin tomorrow, to be followed next week by the Nationalist leader, Mr. Hamilton. Mr. J. A. Lee leaves this week on a tour of Mr. Bodkin's electorate, which has always stood solid for the sitting member.