ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Evening Star, Issue 22191, 20 November 1935, Page 2

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

MR COATES IN MARLBOROUGH RECORD CROWDS AT MEETINGS [Per United Press Association.] NELSON, November 19. A crowded theatre with 100 loudspeaker listeners on the pavement outside greeted the Minister of Finance, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, at lunch time, when he gave a political address in the Theatre Royal. The meeting was called at a few hours’ notice, in lieu of the meeting Mr Coates was prevented from homing last evening through the aeroplane in which he was travelling having to return to Wellington owing to bad weather in Cook Strait. , ... Mr Coates referred to the position facing the Government four yours ago, and he traversed the legislation undertaken to deal with the situation, outlining the future policy of the Government. ■ , .. , ~ The large audience listened intently, and there were no interruptions or interjections. At the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks to Mr Coates and confidence in the Government was carried unanimously. The Mavor of Nelson. Mr George Page, said” that Mr Coates had taken a big risk in attempting to cross the strait in the boisterous weather to keep faith with the Nelson people. He extended a warm welcome,to the Minister to Nelson. Mr Coates said that four years ago world prices for our exports had dropped. The unemployed then numbered 40,325, and the value of our exports had dropped from £56,000,000 to £35,000,000.. Drastic measures were necessary, and as a result of the immediate action taken the deficit had been reduced to £3,500.000. A. crisis had been reached, and the Government had had an unpleasant task . The speaker explained that in J.yoJ the Government was faced with an estimated deficit of £8,000,000. The dairy farmers were in financial difficulties, and the Government realised that something had to be done to bridge the gap between production costs and prices. The Government called in a committee, from the report of which the Government chose what it considered would be essential in the interests of the country. When the proposed programme was issued it would have been a miracle to find a Government supporter on Lambton Quay. That was the immediate reaction to the proposals. . ■ , - “ I am described in sonic parts as a terrible person,” lie continued, but I’m only one of you, a citizen ot this country, and I ask you to place yourselves in our position. We were a team of men using our initiative and resourcefulness so that we might bung the Dominion back to a position where all would have work and where the facilities for work would be provided. Mr Coates also announced the Lovernment’s proposals for the development of industries., QUIET AND ATTENTIVE HEARING BLENHEIM, November 19. The largest political gathering held in Blenheim for many years greeted Mr Coates to-night, His Majesty s Theatre being packed to overflowing. The Minister was accorded a quiet and attentive hearing, .with very .few interjections. In fact, the proceedings might almost be described as tame. At the conclusion of his address a vote, of thanks was earned on the voices. , . At Havelock this afternoon Mr Coates addressed a large and enthusiastic gathering from the steps of the Town Hall, and was accorded cheers The Minister will leave by air at 9 o’clock to-morrow morning. He will speak at Palmerston North at 11 a.m., Hastings at 3 p.m., Havelock INorth at 4.30 p.m., and Napier in the evening. , THE ACCOUNTS BOGEY MINOR TECHNICALITIES [Per United Press Association.] PAHIATUA, November 19. The Minister of Lands, Sir Alfred Ransom, addressing a large meeting ol electors at Pahiatua last evening, declared that the Leader of the Demo crat Party, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, at Masterton, attempted to magnify into a public scandal the Auditor-General s account of a number of technical points. The Democrat leader, had accused the Government of downright deception and trickery in the manipulation of the public accounts, Sir Alfred Ransom declared. All the points raised were fully investigated by the Public Accounts Committee in 1933, the committee being, representative of all parties in the House. The committee at that time reported “ that the prominence given to the Controller and Auditor-General s report haa created an erroneous impression in respect to more or less minor matters of a technical ■ nature. The report itself has mistakenly created a feeling in the minds of those not well versed in public finance that the financial administration is at fault. We are of the opinion that the public accounts represent a true and accurate position of the financial administration of the. Dominion.”

The Minister said that this was an effective answer, and he proceeded to deal in detail with several technical points raised by Mr Hislop, characterising as most unfair the latter’s attempt to’miderminc public confidence in the Dominion’s principal Department or State. MR HISLOP RENEWS CHARGES [Per United Press Association.] EKETAHUNA, November 19. Referring to Sir Alfred Ransom s reply to his statements regarding the public accounts, Mr Hislop said,there was no need for him to magnify technical points into a public scandal, as Sir Alfred had stated. All he needed to do was to quote the actual words and opinions of the Auditor-General. In his reports the Auditor-General had given a straightforward statement that be was not satisfied with the public accounts. In 1931 the Auditor-General had drawn attention to the unsatisfactory position in regard to the methods employed in accounting for the expenditure from the Native Land Settlement Account. It was not until three years later that the whole of the. Native Affairs scandal was exposed. Regarding the £14,000,000 which was shown in the public accounts as cash, but which Sir Alfred Ransom stated was represented by fixed deposits or investments, this money was not cash and could not be called cash by any stretch of imagination. If it had been invested in the funds of a department and utilised by the department for its ordinary purposes there was no cash available, although there was an IOU. There was no doubt there had been wholesale bungling and juggling with the public accounts, and the word of the Auditor-General was reliable enough for most people. Mr Hislop stated that he had asked Mr Coates certain questions in regard to the gold that had been taken by the Government from the banks. So far Mr Coates had ignored the questions, but he asked them again, as he be-liev-ed the people were entitled to an answer. He believed it to be the intention of the Government to make this next Parliament a five-year Parliament. Mr Coates had spoken strongly in favour of an extended parliamentary term, and the Government had persistently referred to the necessity for long-range planning and the fact that its policy proposals would take some time to put into effect. Neither Mr Forbes nor Mr Coates had stated that they would not extend the life of Parliament. It would be tragic for the country if they had to suffer the present Government until 1940, and this was a possibility if the Nationalists were returned at the forthcoming election. , AH INDEPENDENT SPEAKS MR WREN AT ANDERSON'S BAY A vigorous condemnation of the party system of government, an enthusiastic plea for support in a campaign to develop tourist traffic in New Zealand, particularly in the South Island, and the need for increasing the scope of the markets for New Zealand primary produce were the chief points outlined by Mr Sidney Wren, Independent candidate for Dunedin Central, in his address to a fairly large audience in Cameron Hall last night. For the most part, Mr Wren was accorded an attentive hearing, his sennarks being! punctuated with pungent humour. Inter] ectors who attempted to ask questions in the early part of the address were effectively silenced by the assurance of the speaker that all questions would be answered at the conclusion ot the address. Mr Wren began by stressing the fact that he was an Independent candidate, and. therefore, not tied to any particular party. He considered that only Independent candidates could carry out the expressed wish of the electors, and because conditions in New Zealand were still in a state of flux, only Independent candidates could work in the interests of the people. After referring to the apathy of the people in connection with political affairs, he pointed out that every child bom into the Dominion today inherited a debt of £3OO as its share of New Zealand’s national debt. “ Do you realise that the future of your children is being taken out of your hands? ” he added.

Dealing with the question of tourist traffic, Mr Wren said that it was about time that Dunedin people stuck up for their rights. He quoted from a newspaper clipping which announced that tourist traffic was being diverted from Dunedin and Invercargill, and that Lyttelton was to be the port of call for the South Island. In the old days, he said, Dunedin was an important centre. “ Why, there is grass growing in your main streets. Why? Because there is a depression? No. Because of your apathy,” asserted the speaker. Mr Wren said he had not so far made reference to his opponents for the Dunedin Central seat, but in view of the fact that the socialistic candidate, Mr Neilson, had done so, he intended to do likewise. Mr Neilson, he said, had flattered himself in saying that the main contest was between Mr Neilson and Mr Cameron. “Mr Neilson wishes that it were,” commented Mr Wren, ironically. “Mr Neilson keeps his ear to the ground, and he knows that he is losing ground. Mr Neilson is a mild person these days. At one time he was constantly expounding stories about Russia. We hear nothing about Russia from him to-day. Mr Neilson does not know Russia, he has not been there. I have.” A Voice : When ? Mr Wren : Questions will be answered later.

Continuing, Mr Wren said that Mr Neilson was holding up Russia as a Mecca for New Zealand to follow. A Voice: A pity it was not. Mr Wren: Mr Neilson does not know what he is talking about. A Voice: Do you? Mr Wren: Mr Neilson might be sincere about Russia, but he does not know anything about it. At any rate, wo do riot want to know anything about Russia in Dunedin Central. Russia has been a land of slaves—poor, ignorant people who have always been led along. We are not slaves in this country, and we never will be. Dealing with Mr, Cameron, the speaker said that he was an excellent candidate, but he was unfortunate in that he was tied up with a party which was “ deliciously ” unpopular. (Applause. mingled with laughter.) Continuing, Mr Wren said that Mr Cameron could see that the writing was on the wall, and was claiming that he was independent arid would vote as he liked. Mr Wren qusetioned whether that would be possible without letting his party down. “ Mr Forbes,” said the speaker, “ is his leader. He is Prime Minister. You may not have thought so when you heard him the other night. (Laughter.) Mr Forbes packed the hall with his own supporters. and they laughed at him. .I’hey were all convinced that the Nationalist

Government is not going back into power.” (Loud applause.) Mr Wren: 1 am glad you know Uiat too. . , ;

'•'Upon reiterating the statement that Russia was a land of slaves, and they did not want similar conditions in New Zealand, Mr Wren was loudly applauded and the discussion on this subject ended. At the conclusion of his address the, candidate received a vote of thanks, the motion being carried by a majority. DUNEDIN SOUTH “ While its policy is neither new nor showy, but more a continuation of its present one, the Government intends to maintain the country’s stability by orthodox budgetary methods,” announced Mr T. K. S. Sidey, National, contestant for the Dunedin South seat, in last night’s address to about 90 Musselburgh electors. The people, he said, would bo required to support either Labour’s dangerous financial experiments in a programme of inflation, guaranteed prices, and credit, which would destroy confidence, or the National Party, whose policy had so improved sound, and which was pledged to live within its means, with no risky experiments, and determined to serve as far as possible the interests of every section of the community. Much that Labour proposed had been tried, ami would simply fail to work out, and its unreserved scheme to abolish boards, some of which were necessary, and had justified themselves, was analysed, in conjunction with a discussion on the evils of political control. Mr Sidey expounded the effects of both policies on pensions and taxation, and in reference to the latter he favoured an early removal of 'the sales tax and the wages tax, especially as affecting the lowerpaid workers. He indicated how, since the alteration of the Arbitration Act, “ industrial peace ” had reduced the annual loss of days through strikes from 180,000 to 10,000 last year. Among other subjects he referred to the exchange, motor taxation, industrial development to prevent economic waste, and of the unemployment problem he said it must have a solution, though as yet only alleviation of its effects rather than the eradication of its causes had been accomplished. After a patient hearing Mr Sidey answered a brief series of queries and was accorded a vote of confidence, carried by acclamation. Mr J. J. Marlow Was chairman. DUNEDIN CENTRAL Mr P. Neilson addressed two meetings last evening—one at the corner of the Queen’s Drive and Anderson’s Bay road, the other at Waverley. The candidate dealt chiefly with the party’s financial policy in relation to guaranteed prices and standard rates of pay. It was on this basis that the prosperity of New Zealand depended. Good wages in industry meant good business to the business man and manufacturer. Guaranteed prices would mean likewise. Both would fit into each other, and as a result the economic system would once more start to revolve at a greater speed. They must see to it, said the candidate, that’the people were enabled to procure the goods that the country could produce. This could only be done through sufficient purchasing power being issued in wages, salaries, and a price sufficient to enable the primary producer to pay his way. A vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate and the party was carried at both meetings. • Mr D. C. Cameron, the National candidate for Dunedin Central, addressed a meeting of electors last night in the Methodist Hall, Caversham, and was" given an attentive hearing. The chairman was Mr R. H. Todd, who referred to the candidate’s lengthy and varied experience in public body work. In tlie course of Jus address Mr Cameron stressed that during the depression, which was not caused by the Government, the Administration had endeavoured to control the country on sound business lines, and in doing so had not taken the easy way of courting popularity. Indeed, as a result of wise legislation the financial position of the country had improved since 1931. The number of unemployed had decreased. In the solving of the unemployment problem he favoured the development of our manufacturing industries, and suggested that the Unemployment Board might with advantage consider the subsidising of industries that lacked capital, and so keep men at work to which they were accustomed. The raising of the exchange rate, despite adverse criticism, had proved to be a wise policy. The scheme of guaranteed prices of the Labour Party was a hazy and indefinite one, and farmers themselves were not found to be supporting it. Mr Cameron, who dealt with a number of other subjects, was accorded a vote of thanks for his address. OAMARU Mr H. Gladstone Hill, Democrat candidate for tho Oamaru electorate, addressed two meetings on Monday night, the first at Weston, where an audience of 70 persons (presided over by Mr Walter Falloon) heard the candidate deliver an interesting and vigorous speech of over an hour. The chairman stated it was the largest political meeting held in the district for years. The speaker, after answering many questions, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Tho second meeting was at Enfield, where Mr Bruce Meek presided over a huge gathering. For an hour and a half Mr Hill addressed those present, dealing particularly with the dairy industry, the position in England from the consumers’ point of view, and the results of overspeculation in farm lands, particularly in the North Island. Mr Hill’s contention was that no country could go on administering political propaganda rather than face an operation in the shape of lower land values. The speaker also dealt exhaustively with the socialistic legislation in connection with agriculture and farming generally, and warned farmers they were m grave danger of losing their independence. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr W. Malcolm proposed a very hearty Vote of thanks to Mr Hill for his excellent address, and this was carried by acclamation. A questioner at Enfield asked Mr Hill what the Democrat Party would do, in the event of their getting to power, with the exchange rate. Speaking personally, he said it had benefited himself over £IOO in the sale of his lambs. He admitted, however, that it had “ come out of the pockets of the townspeople, who could look after themselves.” The candidate lost no time inanswering that question by declaring that “ Any one section of the community which profited by legislation at the expense of the other sections of tho people would find such benefits shortlived. History showed that the other sections combined for their own protection, so that in the end thp plight of the favoured section was worse than it was at the beginning.”

DUNEDIN NORTH

Airs R. S. Black addressed a large number of electors’ at St. Leonards last evening, the chair being taken by the Mayor of West Harbour (Air Smith), who, in introducing the candidate, spoke of the work she had done for tho city of Dunedin. In. dealing witli our secondary industries. Airs Black said we should encourage our secondary industries in order to build up a balanced national economy. _ We should not be obsessed with the idea that we were purely a primary producing country. Airs Black dealt with the borrowing policy of the v Democrat Party, which, she said, would reduce taxation, not increase it. By borrowing £8,000,000 now that money was cheaper than it had ever been, the unemployment tax could ho reduced to 3d, which was sufficient to pay off the interest and sinking fund, £400,000, on this amount. By this policy twice as much money would be available for reproductive works at a quarter of the cost. The tax for unemployment today was Bd, which brought in about £4,000,000 only. It was absurd, therefore, to suggest that by our policy we were increasing taxation. It could be plainly seen that we would reduce it. Airs Black was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.

THE GRAIN AND THE CHAFF

HARVEST OF THE HUSTINGS Those Guaranteed Prices. The proposals of 'the Labour Party for guaranteed prices came in for strong criticism last night by Air D. C. Cameron, the National candidate for Dunedin Central. “ The scheme is hazy and indefinite,” he said, “ and not practical as we see it at present. The men advocating it do not know the details of the scheme, and they do not know the cost or where the money is to come from. If guaranteed prices to farmers is such a good policy, why has it not been adopted by Labour Governments in other parts of the world? I doubt if you will find a farmers’ union in any part of New Zealand supporting it.” Out of Order. After engaging in explanation of several technical subjects at Alusselburgh last night, Air T. K. S. Sidey (National candidate for Dunedin South) told his questioner that very soon they would find themselves in deep water if they pursued the argument, and the chairman (Mr J'. J. Marlow) asked the elector to confine himself to questions of the day. “ Aline are questions of the moment,” the man protested, but Mr Marlow baulked further comment by ruling: “ This is no place for academic discussion.” What Are Economists? “ Economists are apostles of a great inexact science and are not worth office boys’ salaries.’—Air Sidney Wren, Independent candidate for Dunedin Central. Set Them Seeking Jobs. Will the Labour Party, if elected, still allow superannuated servants to draw superannuation and also a salary besides, as is now done on these boards ? —“ I think we might abolish the hoards,” said Mr Neilson last evening. “ Then they may have to look for another job.” Just Noise. “ Do not he misled by a lot of noisy crickets in a paddock. I have known a couple of frogs in a pond make more noise than a herd of bullocks.”—Mr A. E. dull, Government National candidate, at Waipukurau. “ Dead Men 11 A comment by the Government candidate, Mr F. B. Logan, at Greenmeadows that there were 20,000 less men employed this year than last made an interjector. remark: “They all died.” Improve With Age. “ Sir Alexander Herdman was formerly a Reform supporter, but now he has gone over to the . Democrats,” remarked a member of Mr N. R. Jacobsen’s Taradale audience during tho course of a discussion with the candidate on the matter of politicians who change their party. “ Yes,” replied Mr Jacobsen, “it is 'wonderful how people improve with age.” ' A Suburb of London. “ New Zealand is not more than a Crown colony and a suburb of the city of London,” declared Mr Sidney Wren at Anderson’s Bay last night, when stressing the need for development of markets outside London. This could be done, he said, by the establishment of a diplomatic and consular service throughout the world. Denominational Schools. ■ “Is tho candidate in favour of subsidising Catholic schools?” was a question addressed last night to Mr D. C. Cameron, the National candidate for Dunedin Central. “ I am not in favour -of subsidising any private or denominational schools,’’ replied the candidate. “lam a Methodist myself, and I would not agree to the subsidising of Atethodist schools, nor would I favour grants to Anglican, Presbyterian, or any other denominational schools.” Wanted —an Undertaker. Speaking at Enfield tho other night, Air H. Gladstone Hill, Democrat candidate for Oamaru, was elaborating his contention that if individual effort was eliminated mankind would die of inertia, when an interjector remarked; “ You wouldn’t want a Government then.” “ No,” replied the candidate promptly, “ you would want an undertaker.” Extending Education, Criticising the Government's drastic amendments to the education scheme, Air T. K. S. Sidey (Dunedin South’s National nominee) said at Musselburgh last night that he hoped one day there would be a continuous national education system' from the kindergarten to the university. “ Bull’s Wool.” During the course of his address :,it Greenmeadows, Mr F. B. Logan, Government candidate, was the target for considerable good-humoured banter. “ Shearers’ wages have admittedly decreased this year,” he remarked, “ because ” “Because wool has gone up!” suggested a voice. Further comment on wool introduced the fact that there was still a quantity of wool stored at the Port. “ Bull’s wool,” came the prompt response from the back of the hall. Falstaff’s Army. “ This is Falstaff’s army, called the Democrat Party.”—Mr H. G. Dickie at Ha worn.

Can’t Get Their Own Off. “ Wages last ' year rose by £3,500,000,” Mr F. B. Logan, National candidate, told his Taradale audience. An Interjector: The shearers’ wages were reduced even this year. They are getting so little that they have to shear, six sheep before they'earn enough to get their own hair cut. Guaranteed Prices—And Acts of God. “ Unless we can control the laws of supply and demand, quality and quantity, monopolies, human nature, and acts of God, we cannot control guaranteed prices.”—Mr C. R. Cameron, National Government candidate for the Bay of Islands, speaking at Hikurangi. Dragged in the Mud'. “ The red, white, and blue has been dragged in the mud in the present campaign,” said the Rev. F. L. Frost at Hmrangi. “ I fought for it once, and 1 don’t like to see it used by a Government that has dragged thousands down to starvation.” Drawn! Douglas Credit supporters were prominent at question time at Air Sidney Wren’s address at Anderson’s Bay last night, but the candidate refused to be led into a discussion, on the subject. However, a persistent questioner eventually drew Air Wren when lie asked: “ Are you in favour of inflation? ” —No. “Are you in favour of deflation? ” —No. “ Are you in favour of equation?” (Uproarious laughter from tho audience.) Air Wren: You asked me that question the other night. I forget the answer I gave you. (Renewed laughter) . “ Bill’s Gone to Sleep.” There was one amusing incident during the address given by the Alimster of Finance, Mr Coates, in the Whangarei Town Hall. After Mr , Coates had been speaking for over two hours it was noticed that the mayor, Mr W. Jones, who presided, was nodding drowsily. Suddenly a voice from the hall shouted: “ Bill’s gone to sleep,” said the mayor awoke to a roar of laughter.

Not the Dickey Seat. “ The Democrats well not get more than two or three seats. They will be able to go to Wellington to Parliament in a two-seater car, and they will not have the dickey seat.”—Mr H. G. Dickie at Hawera.

PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR

[Per United Press Association.] GORE, November 20. Continuing his tour of Southland the Prime Minister this morning visited Kelso and Tapanui, where he was accorded a good reception, delivering short addresses along the lines of his previous speeches. This afternoon Mr Forbes visited Mataura, Wyndham, and Edendale, afterwards proceeding to Invercargill. ■