GENERAL ELECTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1931, Page 7

GENERAL ELECTIONS

FIGHT FOR WESTLAND \ MR. GREENSLADE’S CAMPAIGN Mr. >J. W. Greenslade, Coalition candidate, for Westland, opened his campaign last evening when he addressed two meetings, the first at Koiterangi, and the second at Kokatahi.

At Mr. Jamieson presided over a well attended meeting of residents of that locality. In introducing Mr. Greenslade the chairman outlined the activities of the candidate in public life, and welcomed him to their district. Mr. Greenslade spoke for half an hour, receiving a most attentive hearing, at the conclusion of which he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address.

Journeying to Kokatahi, Mr. Greenslade met the electors at the Public Hall, Mr. T. O’Neill occuping the chair. This meeting was also well attended, despite the short notice. Mr. Greenslade’s address was on the lines of his earlier speech, and was appreciated by his listeners. At the conclusion he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, Mr. J. Fleming moving the motion, Mr. O. Cox seconding.

. TO-DAY’S ITINERARY c Mr. Greenslade this morning visited South Hokitika, the Rimu Dredge and Arthurstown. This afternoon he speaks at Ruatapu while to-night he addresses the electors of Ross in the Totara Hall. 1 HOKITIKA COMMITTEE HOKITIKA, November 14. A meeting was held in the Town Hall last evening to set in motion the organising to assist Mr. Greenslade’s candidature. The Maym; (Mr. Perry) presided. He said that Mr. Greenslade was probably the best candidate that could be brought forward. He had given much of his time for the public benefit. A general committee of those present was formed and an executive of five elected.

MR. J. O’BRIEN Mr. J. O’Brien, the Labour candidate, will address meetings, at Bell Hill and Rotomanu this evening, at Aickens to-morrow afternoon, and at Jackson’s to-morrow evening. BULLER WESTPORT, November 13. Mr. H. R. Young, who was officially endorsed as the Coalition candidate, has decided not to contest the Buller constituency. AVON ' ' CHRISTCHURCH, November 13. Mr. H. R. Young, of Westport, is to be the official Coalition candidate for Avon. Mr. Young is a ciyil engineer by profession, and. is a director of several companies. He had intended taking up his residence in Christchurch, and he is now moving here immediately. EDEN. AUCKLAND, November 13. Mr V. 11. Potter, woh formerly was Reform member for Eden, has definitely decided to stand in the same electorate as an Independent, favouring one National Party. There are npw five candidates in the field for Eden, namely:—Mr. Stallworthy (Official Coalition), Mr. R. Glover Clark (Independent Reform), Mr. W. H. Nagle (Independent), Mr. W. T. Anderton (Labour), and Mr. V. H. Potter (Independent.)

WAIRARAPA.

MASTERTON, November 13. In a statement issued to-night, Mr. A. D. McLeod (former Reform Minister) has intimated that, in response to numerous and insistent demands that he should the Wairarapa seat, he has agreed to do so. v Mr. McLeod stated that it. was not without considerable hesitation, and full consideration, that he had so decided, but he was in agreement with those who considered that it was a very one-sided method of standing to a pact if the Reform Party was expected to pull out its candidates for such rural seats at Mataura, Wairarapa, Waitomo and Waipawa, while strong United candidates continued in the contests for Clutha, Temuka, MidCanterbury, and Riccarton. WELLINGTON SOUTH. WELLINGTON, November 13. Announcing that he was withdrawing his candidature for the Wellington South seat, Mr. S. T. S. Martin, who had been .announced as an Independent, stated this, evening that he considered the Coalition Government had made a wise selection in nominating Mr. Will Appleton. A deputation this afternoon waited upon Mr. Martin Luckie, asking him to stand for Wellington South, which he contested unsuccessfully at the last election. Mr. Luckie has decided to leave the field clear for Mr. Appleton to have a straightout contest with Mr McKeen (Labour).

THE NEXT SESSION. WELLINGTON, November 13. It is understood there is some likelihood of there being a session early year unless the economic situation shows improvement, but in the meantime Parliament at present stands prorogued until February 4, though this date will not necessarily be the date when Parliament will meet, the custom being to fix a date for the reassembling of Parliament and then to postpone it until the required,time. It is understood that if the Coalition are returned, the Cabinet will’ be ir creased to thirteen or fourteen members, in order to relieve pressure of administrative work on the present reduced Cabinet of ten. LABOUR’S PLEDGES. A POLICY OF INSINCERITY. The Labour Party’s appreciation of economic conditions in the Dominion is rather remarkable. ■ ' For instance, Mr Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, stated when the Prime Minister first revealed the critical state of affairs in the coun-

try, that he did not believe .that this should have been disclosed.' He denied that there was a shortage of money in the country.

This year, in reference to the wage cuts, Mr Holland stated that the Labour Party, if gaining office, would lose no time i n repealing the wagereducing legislation. In addition it claims that it would do away with unemployment and pay standard rates of wages on relief works. Either Mr Holland is not aware of the slump, and the tremendous reduction in the country’s private and public finances, or else he is shutting his eyes to these facts, and building his policy on insincerity and impossible pledges. The administration of the Labour Party in both England and Australia shows a miserable record of gaudy promise and dismal failure. The lesson learnt in England will not fail to have its effect in New Zealand.

The Coalition Government appreciates the position in the Dominion and is basing its policy on an appreciation of present needs and future prospects. It is quite confident that the people of New Zealand will rightly approve the sincerity of its appeal.—l