POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 18138, 30 November 1922, Page 4

POLITICAL POINTS

During the enumeration of the beneficent legislation enacted by the Government, Sir John Luke, .Reform candidate for Wellington North, happened to mention tbo pensions for the blind. “It’s the likes of us what ’elps to keep ’em,” came from the back of the hall. “ I don : t think yon could keep a rabbit,” was the candidate’s reply. ««. « * Mr W. J. Holdsrrort.h (Grey Lynn) was asked: Are you not the official Reform candidata* Candidate: No; but the Reformers knew they could not win the Grey Lynn -seat, and so they put nobody up against mo. Questioner: Don't you thi-nk_ it boils down to Capital v. Labor in this electorate ?—No. Questioner: If yon are not Reform, them why did you say “ we ” throughout the course of your address? Who is “we”? —Well, my friend, 1 did not include you in the “we” at all events. No, and if you did you woudn’t be paying me a compliment either! (Laughter.) A rote of thanks and confidence was carried, with many dissentient voices. * # # * “ I have come across a good many professional men in my career, but I don’t think I have ever encountered a professional hand-clapper 'before.” On saying which at his Parnell meeting the other evening Mr .Massey fixed his eyes on a man in the audience who had persistently clapped at any .reference to the Labor JPartr or its leader. “You had -better he 'careful, my friend, or you will m>t be able to work to-morrow,” was his advice. On second thought, however, Mr Massey (fixed the man’s occupation, and expressed the opinion that he never did anything else. # # * * 11 It’s easy enough to criticise, my friend,” remarked Mr Macartney, Reform candidate for Lyttelton, to an interjector. “ It’s easy enough to pull down a- brick wall, but it takes a tradesman to build it up.” (Applause.)

The "unwritten iy.v ” by which (he Speaker of the British House of Commons is not opposed at elections was mentioned by the Mayor of Auckland (Mr J. 11. Gunson) in -opening Sir Frederick Lang’s •meeting at Epsom. “ I think -the practice followed in the British political world of not subjecting the Speaker to a contest should obtain in New Zealand,” he said. “ I say dial- advisedly. Sir Frederick, of course, would be the last to suggest such a thing in this young country. Probably we have not the same innate appreciation and respect ns they have in the Old Country for the high office of Speaker -cf the House, but it would he a good thing i,f we cnuld inculcate in the young people something of that spirit of reverence.” * * # * Mr Christensen (Labor candidate) stated at Palmerston North the other evening that the. New Zealand Labor Party’s land policy had been drawn up by a watchmaker !--■-But the wheels won’t go round.—‘ Dominion.’ « * * • A Maori caused some amusement at Mr Dickson's meeting at Pori. Chalmers on Tuesday by asking the candidate where ho was horn. .Mr Dickson answered goodhumoredly that he was-born “ in tho great Commonwealth of Australia.” whereupon the Maori followed up with,the question: “Is this your country or tho Maoris’ country?” * * ■» « An amusing incident enlivened a meeting addressed by Mr IV. J, Holdsworth (Independent Reform candidate for Grey Lynn, at Kingsland. When question time arrived a woman, well known in Labor circles, was proceeding to address the candidate at some length on various topics when the chairman, Mr A. F. Bennett, said: “The yomi" lady must not make a political speech; she must only ask questions.” “I am not a young lady. I'm a grandmother,” -retorted, the woman amid loud laughter. » * * * Mr Gilchrist, at Forbury, last evening: “ I have no objection to Lord Nelson being paid a pension for winning the Battle of Trafalgar*if you can produce him, but_ I have a most decided objection to paying a pension to bis descendants, as is done to this day.” * * * * Speaking of the Rev. Howard Elliott at Now Plymouth, Mr S. G. Smith (Liberal candidate for Taranaki) said ; ‘‘The first point I wish to stress is the statement that I have referred to Mr Elliott as a very dangerous ‘man.’ I have never said it: 1 have never called Mr Elliott a ‘ man ’ yet. What I did say, and I am quoting from ‘ Hansard.’ is that this organisation (the P.P./L] is being organised by a most dangerous ‘ person.’ ” # * * « “ Sowiali'ts cultivate a .spirit of hatred among their supporters. They are, in my opinion, a menace to the State, and should be deported.''—Mr J. M. Dickson at Port Chalmers on Tuesday night. * * * # "It is curious how certain, people, and sometimes working people at that, will draw attention to the loafer at the bottom of the tree, yet have nothing but respect .arid admiration for the one at the top of the tree.”—Mr Gilchrist. ■Jf ■}(- & -Jf “The whole proposal is so absurd that I wonder fit any sensible man agreeing with it."—Mr J. M. Dickson, in dealing with the Labor Party's platform. » •» * # “ When the economic situation impelled the reduction of taxation, the Massey Government took the lines of least resistance. and made a reduction in the wages of ail -State employees, as well as dismissing many deserving men and women, and at a time when the cost of living did not warrant such a drastic step.” remarked Mr G. H. M. M'GTure, candidate for Otaki, in an address at the Upper Hutt. ■» # # # " The worker, whether of brain or of hand, is the only producer of wealth. No capitalist working ns such ever produced an ounce of wealth; Ids business is to manipulate capital for his own personal aggrandisement.”—Mr Gilchrist. # # * # “ What do you consider a living wage for a married man With four children?” was a question asked Sir John Luke at a meeting. “ Well, that is somewhat of a poser,” replied tho candidate; ‘‘when I was mayor of Wellington wo made tho living wage £4 5s for unskilled men.”

* * # # At Mr Dickson’s meeting at Port Chalmers on Tuesday a man handed u-p two written questions asking if tho candidate would -resist any attempt to interfere with educational expenditure that would- impair educational efficiency or to introduce State aid for denominational schools. This caused Mr Dickson to remark -that he had received a number of circulars from various bodies, but he did not answer them. He was responsible to his constituent's, -and would answer any question pub by them. If the questions .came from an elector lie would answer them, but if they came from an outside body he would not-.

The Mayor; An elector handed up the Questions. Mr Dickson : Well, then, that is all right. I hardly understand the question, because the vote for education is going up by leaps and bounds, end there has been no interference -that I know of, I do not think any such attempt would be made. If that is the question I would answer "Yes.”

The second question Mr Dickson answered in the affirmative.

" It is dragging loyalty down to a low level when wo have to parade it,” said Mr Mifccliell (Independent) at Newtown. ‘‘ J don’t believe it is necessary in a country like this to make loyalty compulsory.” * * * * “The working man’s wife is the only one who is mily entitled to have a fur coat, Abaukl tjha. ’ ’—-Mr Gilchrist,