ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Evening Star, Issue 22194, 23 November 1935, Page 26

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

LEADERS’ ADDRESSES Ml FORBES AT TIMARU [Pwt United Press Association.] TIMARU, November 22. “ Thank you very much for the good hearing I have received. It has been it good-tempered meeting and I have enjoyed it very much; thank you. In these words Mr Forbes concluded an address at the Theatre Royal to-night after one of the liveliest meetings ol his tour. The theatre .was packed to the doors long before the meeting started, and a section of the audience persisted in interjecting in spite oran appeal by the mayor, Mr 1. n. oattertbwaite, for a fair hearing. The mayor was howled down, ana Mr Forbes smilingly continued m a spirited fashion. _ . . ' At times interjections came so fast that ’ the Prime Minister could scarcely he heard. At one stage he reminded hii audience that when Mr Savage addressed them recently the Labour people and the Government* supporters too had come along and had given him a quiet hearing and a chance to put his story over. In every way he hart treated Mr Savage in a courteous manner. . f “I like a meeting with a hit, ot noise. I would not like to have the quiet meetings Mr Savage hhs. (Laughter and applause.) He described Mr Savage’s inee-ting in Timaru as a nice friendly meeting, almost like a Sunday school treat. Mr Forbes spoke on similar lines to his previous addresses, criticising the Labour Party’s policy of guaranteed prices, which he. described as a miracle plan 1’ which had not been thought of until the elections came round. He also replied to Mr Hislops innuendos in regard to juggling the public accounts, and remarked : That s not cricket, and Joe Savage would nob say it, anyhow.” (Applause.) Mr Forbes referred to the speech made bv Air J. W. Munro in Dunedin in which Mr Munro was reported to have said that Labour had its guns readv to deal with “ the moneyed interests.” In certain circumstances it would assume control of the Reserve Bank, and if the directors opposed Labour’s instructions they might find themselves in prison on a diet of bread and water. “ What happened in New South Wales.” continued the report of •Mr Munro. “ can happen in New Zealand, but we hare got piir guns ready and they will get shot. I don’t mean that in "any other but a metaphorical way.” ... Mr Forbes said he had read in the papers that Mr Savage would he returned with 44 Labour men, but it was evident that when J im Munro, who was regarded as one of the more levelheaded members of the party, put over that sort of stuff he was not so satisfied about his own chances.” I have never remembered a more favourable reception of Government candidates than there has been at this elec- . tion,” concluded Sir Forbes. MR SAVAGE IN AUCKLAND AUCKLAND, November 22. Addressing a crowded meeting in Auckland West to-night, the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr M. J. Savage, replied to statements )inade by the Prime Minister at Rangiora on Thursday night. Mr Savage stated that Mr

Forbes was reported to have said that the work of the Executive Commission of Agriculture, the Court of Review, and the Reserve Bank would pass into the hands of Labour politicians instead of being controlled by experts as at present. “ 1 give that an emphatic denial,” said Air Savage, “ and the reports ol mv speeches throughout the country will substantiate my objections to the Prime Minister’s deliberate misrepresentation of the Labour Party’s policy. I have repeatedly stated that it would be the duty of the Labour Government to lay down the policy to he administered by experts and not by Labour members,” continued the speaker. “ The Prime Minister also said that only Labour supporters would get any consideration. That comes very badly from the head of a Government that has stuffed all the boards and commissions with its own political friends. There is not a hoard in existence to-day that is not made up of political friends of the Government. A motion of confidence in the Labour Partv and in Mr Savage was carried.

MR HIBLOP IN HIS OWN ELECTORATE [Per United Press Association.] MASTERTON, November 22. The Democrat leader, Mr Hislop, addressed several meetings in his electorate to-day. He said that from information that reached him from every part of the country he was convinced that the present Government -was doomed/ It might deem itself fortunate if 20 of its members were returned at the forthcoming polls. One of the most striking features of the campaign, Mr Hislop stated, had been the persistence of the Nationalists and the Labour Party and the Nationalist Press in reiterating that the Democrat Parly did not count. He invited the people to cast their minds back over events during the last month or two and asked against whom the Government and the Labour Party had concentrated their attacks. _ The inevitable answer, said Mr Hislop, was against the Democrat Party. The plain fact of the matter was that both were afraid. The Government realised that it was doomed. The Labour _ Party knew that its chances of attaining the Treasury benches had vanished with the advent of, his party. Speaking at Pongaroa last night, Mr Hislop dealt with the mortgage legislation, particularly with the stay-order system. He said that Mr Coates was very proud of the mortgage legislation, but even in Russia the farmers had not more severe restrictions and compulsions than the New Zealand farmer under the stay-order system. That legislation, he said, must be amended in order to give justice to both mortgagor and mortgagee and to remove those humiliating shackles from' the farmer. DUNEDIN NORTH Mrs” Black addressed the electors of Pine Hill last evening. Introducing the candidate, the chairman, Mr Murphy, stated that Mrs Black would be pleased to know that that was the largest political meeting ever held in their district. Mr Murphy spoke in glowing terms of the work Mrs Black had done for the relief of distress during the strenuous time she was mayoress of the city. The candidate answered many questions, and was accorded a unanimous vote 'of thanks. .Mrs R. S. Black addressed an enthusiastic meeting of women yesterday afternoon at the North-east Valley Bowling Club pavilion, the chair being taken by Dr Siedeberg-M'Kizi-non, who, when introducing the candidate, stated that women of Mrs Black’s

ability would be very useful in Parliament. Besides traversing the policy of the Democrat Party, Mrs Black dealt with subjects specially relating to women and children, pointing out that present legislation was detrimental in many ways to their welfare. The Government, in taking away the grant for the protection of women and children from the four main centres in New Zealand, hampered the activities of the societies concerned. A great service could be rendered by women in Parliament in the recasting of Acts pertaining to family protection, where a number of anomalies existed, causing great inconvenience and hardship to many women and children. The question of family allowances was one which affected an increasingly large number of the poorest of the people. Under the present law the father was the only person entitled to make an application. Consequently, if a man deserted his wife and family he could please_ himself whether he applied for their _ allowance, and there were many families suffering to-day through this weakness in the Act. Surely, said Mrs Black, women should bo able to obtain their just due without all this unnecessary humiliation. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously;

DUNEDIN CENTRAL ” I attack policies and promises, not persons,” said Mr Sidney Wren, Independent candidate for Dunedin Central at Macandrew Bay last night. “My friends throughout the electorate and all who have heard me speak know that I have treated’ my political opponents ns they have treated me—with fairness and courtesy, and I trust the campaign will finish ns it started.” Mr Wren made a vigorous appeal for the return of an Independent candidate as the only remedy for the neglected condition of Dunedin. Mr Cameron had stated that he would act independently when he wished, yet his leader, Mr Forbes, had announced recently that any Nationalist member who did not give whole-hearted and complete support to the party was ‘ no good to the party or to anyone else.’ Mr_ Neilson, on the other hand, was making halfhearted denials of his love of Russia. The candidate outlined the present political and financial position, and dealt in detail with his proposals for the reduction of taxation, increase of revenue, and the raising of the standard of living and purchasing power of the people. Many questions were answered, and Mr Wren was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks. Mr A. M'Hutchou occupied the chair. OAMARU The Democrat candidate for Oamaru addressed two meetings on Thursday night, the first at Ivakanui and the second at Kauru Hill, At the foimer place Mr Vincent APDonald presided. The candidate was given a most attentive hearing from an audience of nearly 40 interested electors. In answer to a question regarding unemployment, Mr Hill ventured the opinion that tree-planting and constructioa work on tbo coast road froni Oamaru to Kakanui, making it one of the finest marine drives in the country*, would be creating a national asset_ of tremendous local benefit. The meeting was one of the most enthusiastic held by the candidate. On the motion of Mr Alex. Mitchell, a vote of thanks to Mr Hill was' carried by acclamation. At Kauru Hill Mr D. Rodger presided over a very good attendance. Mr Hill dealt more fully with legislation pertaining to the farmer, and received a most attentive hearing. He pointed out the demands being made by the Mortgage Corporation to add 2 per cent, to the value of the mortgage transferred from the State Advances to the corporation to provide for a reserve fund, said stated that such action was, in his opinion, most inequitable, unjust, and entirely without precedent in this country. After many questions had been answered Mr Jack Pringle proposed and Mr R. Ewing seconded a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker for his address. Mr Hill will speak tq-night at Awainoko at 7 and Papakaio at 8.30. On Monday the leader of the Democrat Party, Mr T. G. A. Hislop, will broadcast a speech from the Opera House, Oamaru, of eight minutesj duration, after which Mr Hill will deliver a constructive policy address. On Tuesday, at the Town Hall, Palmerston, Mr Hislop will again broadcast his speech to electors, while Mr Hill will give his final address to the electorate. LABOUR’S FINAL RALLY On Tuesday the local Labour candidates will join forces for their final rally, which will take place in the Town Flail at 8 p.m. Each candidate will address the meeting and deal with the constructive policy of the first Labour Government. On account of home ties and other reasons many have been unable to attend night meetings during this campaign. Labour candidates : therefore will address elderly electors and their friends in the Concert Chamber at 2.30 on Tuesday afternoon. ELECTION MEETINGS The two final addresses to the electors by Air T. K. S. Sidoy, National candidate for Dunedin South, will be given at the South Dunedin Town Hall on Monday next, and at the Coronation Hall, St. Kilda, on Tuesday, both meetings at 8 p.m. Airs Black will speak at Logan Park Bowling Club at 3 p.m. on Alonday, Ravensbourne Coronation Hall at 8 p.m. on Alonday, Alaori Hill Coronation Hall at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, North-east Valley Town Hall at 7.45 on Tuesday, and George Street School at 8.30 on Tuesday. Dp D. G Al'Alillan will address the' electors in the Roslyn Presbyterian Church Hall at 8 to-night, and on Alonday, November 25, in His Alajesty’s Theatre at 8 p.m. Air P. Neilson will address the electors in the Mornington Baptist Church Hall at 8 to-night, aud_ on Alonday, November 25, in tho Marigold Salon at 8 p.m. Mr F. Jones will address an open-air meeting at St. Clair Band Rotunda to-night at 8, and on Alonday. November 25, in the Coronation Hall, St. Kilda, at 8 p.m. Air J. W. Alnnro, AI.P. will address the electors in the George Street School Hall at S on Alonday, November 25.

THE GRAIN AND THE CHAFF I Will Go Back! Mr Bodkin, M.P. at Cromwell, was quoting remarks about the goldminer attributed to Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., which were distasteful to the followers of Labour, and an inter, jector called out “O’Brien will go back.” “Yes,” said Mr Bodkin, “of course he’ll go back, and so will I, and few know that better than you, for you have just spent a week in going around the electorate, and you arc sore because you have ascertained I’m going back.” (Applause). “ Political Rat.” “ An English politician,” commented Mr F. B. Logan, Government candidate for Napier, at Port Ahuriri, “ 1 won’t mention his name ” A Voice: Why don’t you say jt? Lord Snowden, and add “ that political rat.” A Cry of Pain! Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., in his meeting at Cromwell on Thursday night scored repeatedly off the interjections of supporters of the Labour Party. When quoting from the official plan of the Labour Party,, he was subjected to a considerable amount of heckling and cat calls. “Yes,” said Mr Bodkin, “that was a real cry of pain. The truth hurts, and the pain of that home truth seems very real.”’ (Applause). The Gold Miner. , “Labour,” said Mr Bodkin, National candidate, at Cromwell on Thursday evening, “ has nothing to offer the goldminer for it will take off the exchange, and that in itself means a reduction in the price of gold of 35s per ounce.” Mr Bodkin said he had persistently and consistently pleaded for the removal of the gold tax of 12s 6d per ourlce, but prominent men in the goldmining industry had said the tax was fair. Labour would give no encouragement to goldmining. Not Business Men! Mr Clinkard (National candidate) : That’s the Labour Party and guaranteed prices. If they had sprung that just before the election they might have got in, hut now it has been shown up. There is not a business man on the Labour benches. (Uproar.) Mr Clinkard: Oh; I forgot Mr Langstone. He ran a fried fish shop. A Voice: That is a foolish remark. What about Mr Schramm? _ Mr Clinkard: A solicitor is hardly a business man. Slave Labour. Recently, in the Old Country, said Mr Edie (Labour), at Cromwell on Wednesday evening, a movement was commenced to endeavour to boycott New Zealand butter because it was contended it was produced by slave labour. There was an element of truth in the contention, said Mr Edie, and from experience he knew that butter could not be pi-odueed at under Is 3d per lb if the producer was to enjoy that standard of living he should, and if his wife and children were to be kept out of the cowshed. We Pay! Mr J. N. Massey (Nationalist), at a recent_ meeting: We have six banks operating in New Zealand. A Voice: And the Bank of Jerusalem ! A Second Voice: What about the salary of the governor of the Reserve Banlc—£6,ooo a vear, free of tax I Mr Massey: He is a specialist, and his salary was arranged. Voices; Haw, haw! Why shouldn’t he pay the tax P It’s a disgrace to the country. Mr Massey; When we bring specialists into the country they generally make their own terms, and one of the terms laid down was that he be paid in sterling. If you get a, specialist you have got to pay for him. A Voice: We pay all right. Labour and Liberal Mantle. When introducing Mr H. Iv. Edie, Labour candidate, to his Cromwell audience on Wednesday evening, the Mayor, Mr J. Roberts; said the candidate was following in his father’s footsteps, only his father had been a Liberal, and Mr Edie was a Labourite. Mr Edie, on rising to speak, averred that he was following faithfully in his father’s steps, contending that the mantle of Liberalism had fallen on the Labour Party. Retort Discourteous. “ Are you a parliamentary candidate or a history lecturer?” asked an auditor of Mr J. R. Lundon (Lib.Lah.), Auckland Central. “Well, my dear sir,” he replied in dulcet tones, “if God did not give you the brains to discover it, what would be the use of me telling you? ’’ Another Voice ; There’s one for you. British Farmers and Milk. According to the Rev. E. T. Cox, who spoke in Labour's interests at Kaitangata on Thursday night, 81 per cent, of the British dairy producers voted for the continuation of guaranteed prices for milk. “ The farmers had a vote,” said Mr Cox, “and the cows had a vote. . . .” Voice: Didn’t the bulls get a vote? Mr Cox explained amid laughter that if a farmer had 10 cows he was allowed 10 votes for them. If he had 100 cows he was given 100 votes, and so on. Later he was expressing the opinion that there was a great market for New Zealand beef in Japan, when ho suddenly looked in the direction of the previous interjector, and added: “For your bulls.’ (Laughter.) A Terrible State. “If they are as reckless'with public money as they are with their language they would have us in a terrible state in no time,” said the Hon. S. G. Smith when denouncing the Labour Party at Tarurutangi. Labour’s Chance. “ Give Labour a chance,” interjected an elector at Mr A. E, Ansell’s meeting last night when the candidate was criticising the Labour policy concerning the conversion of overseas loans. “ Labour has had its chance,” replied Mr Ansell. “ Did it not bring Great Britain to the verge of disaster? And did not the electors emphasise the fact a few days ago that they wanted no more of it? Think of Australia under Lang, too. No, Labour has had its chance and it failed.”

Souls Mortgaged. “ The Civil servants to-day can’t call their souls their own. They can’t say a word which might bring discredit on the Government which means they can’t opeii their mouths.”—The Rev. F. L. Frost at Fitzroy, Old Lady Scandalised, Talking of marriage led Mr London (Auckland Central) to speak of children. Ho would legitimise every child born. A child should bo saved from any stigma of birth. That it was born was enough. And then an old lady brought the house dowja.

“ But,” she interposed, slightly scandalised, “you would encourage it.’’ No Change! “ Do you want to hand over our monetary system to the Labour Party? ” asked Mr V. H. Potter, Independent candidate for Roskill. A Voice: It would be a change. Mr Potter: And you would have no chance in the end. (Laughter.) “ Stand up and let me soe you,” said

Mr Potter when one interpector became persistent. _ This the interjector promptly did. Mr Potter: I just wondered whether you had tw'o legs or four from the way you spoke. The Elector (indignantly) ; I’m not a cow, anyway, (Laughter.)