GENERAL ELECTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1943, Page 4

GENERAL ELECTIONS

MR. CHIVERS’ CANDIDATURE.

Mr. E. F .Chivers, the National candidate for Westland, addressed 20 electors at Kaiata, last evening, receiving a good hearing. Mr. D. Gibbons presided and the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of the chairman and Mr. F. Faulkner. At Gladstone Siding, due to the inclement weather, only a small number assembled and an informal discussion took place. MR NICOLAUS’ CAMPAIGN Mr E. W. Nicolaus, Independent candidate for Buller, addressed some 40 electors at Brunner, last evening. Mr J. Smeaton presided, and the speaker was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks, after replying to several questions. RICCARTON WITHDRAWAL CHRISTCHURCH, September 22. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle, Independent candidate for Riccarton, has withdrawn from the election contest in favour of Mr. J. T. Watts, National Party candidate. Mr. Kyle’s name must remain on the ballot paper; but he has asked his friends and supporters not to vote for him. He held the Riccarton seat for 18 years, first as a member of the Reform Party, then as a member of the National Party, and recently as an Independent, withdrawing from the National Party when he disagreed with its attitude towards the War Administration. The following statement was supplied to-day: “Mr. H. S. S. Kyle announces that, realising his candidature as an Independent in Riccarton would involve the dividing of votes opposed to Labour and' would probably lead to Labour’s advantage in Riccarton electorate, has decided to withdraw in favour of the National Party’s official candidate, Mr. J. T. Watts. Mr. Kyle, therefore, asks all his friends and supporters in Riccarton not to vote in his favour on Saturday.” Mr. Kyle was first elected for Riccarton in 1925, when the Reform Party swept the polls, and was returned with an absolute majority. The seat had been previously held by Mr. George Witty. FARMS AND MANPOWER

WELLINGTON, Sept. 23

The Minister of Industrial Manpower (Mr. McLagan) replied to-day to the recent statement of Mr. James Begg in which he denied that, the manpower position of the farming industries had improved, compared with the middle of 1942. “I can say quite definitely,” said Mr. McLagan, “this improvement >n the general farm labour position is real, and has actually occurred. Altogether there have been 13,800 farming workers released from military service to the farming industry, since June 1942, of whom 2100 had been released since April 1, last. During the whole period, however, approximately four thousand were remobilised after the expiry of temporary leave, and 1500 fresh postings occurred. The net gain to the farming industry may be closely estimated at 8300 men.

It may be remembered, said the Minister, that in June 1942, the home defence forces in this country had reached ap extremely high figure, and very sweeping reductions had taken place since then. The figure of 8,300 represents only that portion of the total reduction in the Home Forces which were actually transferred on to farms after making all allowances for remobilisation and fresh postings. “I do not suggest,” continued the Minister, “fanning industries are not in need of further men. The additional demands which have been thrown on to farmers for increased production are well known, and everything is being done to further augment the labour force available to the industry. The splendid work already being done by the farming industry is most warmly appreciated. Farmers are malting a very important contribution indeed to the war effort of the Dominion as a whole. In the continued release of personnel from the army, the highest priority of all is being given both by the Army Department and by my department, to the release of personnel who will become available tor farming work. Only this week, arrangements have been made for the release of a further five hundred men for this industry, and these men have already begun to come out of camp. I might say the release of personnel is not the only means by which the army has assisted the farming industry. Last year the whole harvest in the South Island was gathered by the army, and the iob has never been done more expeditiously in the history of New Zealand. Arrangements are in hand for this kind of assistance to be repeated in the coming season, while at the same time very complete mobilisation of students, teachers and others suitable for temporary work is being organised on a scale which has never before been attempted. The fact that certain farms are in need of labour is certainly no indication there has not been definite and progressive improvement in the labour position of the industry as a whole.”

PHOSPHATE SUPPLIES WHANGAREI, September 23. “We could not possibly have done more. In fact, to give the present rate of rationing of fertiliser we are eating into our reserves,” Mr Barclay stated, when replying to a statement by the National candidate for Marsden, Mr Murdoch, that phosphates were available in Tunisia. Phosphates were available in Tunisia, Mr Barclay stated, but there were no ships to carry them to New Zealand. “The last cablegram I sent before leaving Wellington to come north was to the United States, pointing out that unless ships were allowed to bring additional phosphates to this country it would not be possible to supply 'the United States forces in the Pacific with the foodstuffs they are wanting. If I can get ships I will give you phosphates,” Mr Barclay assured the farmers.

LEAFLETS FROM THE AIR AUCKLAND, Sept. 22. Election propaganda was dropped from a large American aircraft on parts of the city to-day. Most of the leaflets were dropped over the constituencies of Auckland East and Auckland Central. Some of them carried the Democratic Labour Party’s manifesto, others were in support of the party’s candidates, Flying Officer L. S. Dromgoole and Mr. L. A. Wheatley. Party officers later made an official denial of any knowledge of the incident, but speaking at a meeting tonight Flying Officer Dromgoole said that he was not ashamed to say that he had a lot to do with that “leaflet raid.” “I may have to stand before a 1 courtmartial in due course,” he said. “John A. Lee came back on the air in spite of the fact that he had been put off the air. What repercussions there may be because of that raid, I do not know, but is is possible that I may not be permitted within the next 24 hours to speak to you at the Victoria Theatre to-morrow night, as I was going to do.” At a Labour meeting to-night Mr. W. E. Parry said it was a serious offence and more would be heard of it.