A PLUNGER.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10725, 24 October 1928, Page 5

A PLUNGER.

HON. DOAVNIE STEWART ON SIR ' J. WARD • i —- THAT £70,000,000 PROPOSAL! “EXTRAVAGANT AND SPENDTHRIFT” (Press Association.) V . DUNEDIN, Oct. 23. The Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Donwie Stewart), opened his campaign to-night, being well received by a large audience. The problem in New Zealand, be sadd, was not as was so frequently 'alleged, tBo problem of land .aggregation or of land monopoly—but of restoring stability tef farming conditions and restoring,financial confidence in farm securities.. In this respect he disagreed, with- Sir J t AVard when he said that it was necessary to. import £60,000,000 for farmers’ , finance. In lii’si (Mr ; Stewart’s), opinion there were large sums in all the financial institutions ’'awaiting investment, if ’they could be assured that land values were stabilised and that security was adequate. To .lend vast sums of money at less -than the market rates would only produce a fresh inflation of land values and recreate the artificial conditions from which the country was just escaping. ' This led the Minister to an attack •on- Sir J. ; Ward’s, borrowing policy.-, which was made in no uncertain terms. He described the proposal as extravagant and spendthrift and stated that Sir J. AVard was too much of a plunger for the prudent people of New Zealand. The Minister went on to reply to recent criticism by Mr Holland, refuting allegations made by the Lender of the Opposition, particularly in regard to tax reduction. No fair critic who examined the facts, hei stated, could deny that the Government had carried on a very active programme in tliei interests of all sections of the community and, at the same time, kept within the limits of what the Dominion could reasonably afford. ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CAAIPAIGN. SIR J. AVARD’S IMPRACTICABLE SCHEME. 'Ptchp Association * TTMARU, Oct. 23. The Hon. Mr. Rolleston, AttorneyGeneral, opened his campaign for tho Timnru seat to-night, when he addressed a. sympathetic meeting in the Theatre Royal. He gave a' resume of what, had been accomplished by the Reform Government during the past three years, and outlined its policy for the future. He criticised the policies of the Labor Party and-the United Party to show that they were greatly inferior to that of the Reform policy. Referring to Sir J. AVard’s proposal for a seventy million loan, Mr. Rollcston said this was impracticable on the terms suggested.- Labor’s proposals, if given effect to, would be still more costly and would also involve more.borrowing than under the Reform Government. Referring to Labor’s professed interest in farmers, Mr. Rolleston said that, when protection for the vital wheat-growing industry was gefore the House, Labor had voted solidly against it. The Reform Government had striven for goodwill and industrial-peace among all classes progressive development and national safety. AGATNST ALL-COMERF WOMAN ASPIRANT FOR GREY LYNN. AN AMUSING"THREAT (Special to the Times.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 23. “I would like to make it known to you that 1 am going to stand against all-comers in Grey Lynn,” announced Alts. Patterson, a lady well-known in Grey Lynn, in addressing the United candidate, Mr. John S. Fletcher, in a series of rapid interjections at his meeting last night. Mrs. Patterson led up to this announcement by asking the candidate if he believed in women candidates, and Mr. Fletcher that he did, providing t.hev weie United Paitj candidates. (Laughter.) Mrs. Patterson: “Well, why did the party fail to put up a woman candidate in Auckland?” Mr. Fletcher: “There were no ladies offering.” Mrs. Patterson: “Now be careful. (Laughter.) Mr. Fletcher: “Before it was definitely decided who were to be the candidates this lady had aspirations but the committee thought I should stand, as I had a good chance of going in.” „ ~ ■ At tin’s stage Mrs. Patterson announced that she would stand against all corners. . . Cries of “The more the merrier. (Laughter and applause.) LABOR’S PLEDGE CHIEF PLANKS WITHIN THREE YEARS MR HOLLAND ASSAILS PREMIER (Preaa Association ? CHRISTCHURCH, Oct.. 23. , Mr Holland, Leader; of the Opposition, addressed a meeting here tonight. The Mayor (Rev. Mr Archer), presided over a crowded and entiielv friendly audience. , Mr Holland accused Mr Coatee , of having failed to redeem his election promises and declared that, if Labor were returned to office, the chief points of its platform would be put into operation within the first three years. The Labor Party would revise the whole pensions system, with an all round increase, would make all education free with free books and would give equal pay for equal work bv school teachor«. ’ The Labor Party proposed to take away from the Government departments power to over-ride statute iaw. It would repeal conscription m New Zealand. Special attention would bo paid to the secondary Industries by the Labor Party; which would not be ultra-Protectionist or ultra-Free Trade, hut , would, deal with each industry on its merits. Referring to the Licensing question, Mr Holland said a number of members of -the Reform Party were Prohibitionists, and these members had prevented Mr Coates from, carrying out his promises to the liquor people. 1 - Practically all Mr Holland’s speech dealt with topics already fully reported in previous addresses. At the conclusion of his speech, he was cheered and ai motion oi thanks to Mr Holland and confidence in the Labor Party, proposed by Mr Howard. M.P., was carried with one or two dissentients. BAY OF PLENTY SEAT. HON. Iv. S. 'WILLIAMS AT v RU ATORIA AND APPRECIATIVE GATHERING. (Special To The' Times). RUATORIA. Oct. 21. Last night the Hon. K. S. 'Williams, Minister for Public, Works, opened his campaign here in a .panicked hall. , . Mr A. AY. Kirk, chairman, of Waiapu County Council, was in the chair. It was, be said.-the first public occasion on which they had had to welcome Mr Williams .since his elevation to Cabinet plause.) At the same time, they wished to thank him for all that he

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had done for the electorate and especially for Waiapu County—(Further applause. After dealing at length with the principal matters of national political interest, Mr AVilliams mentioned that ho did not mind being opposed in the 'slightest degree. Opposition was always a very good tiling whew the criticism was fair. AVhafc naturally pleased him most was, that no*one in his own district had scon lit to enter the gists' against him. It would also be a splendid thing if every elector' who could do so made a point of recording his vote. Tliis was' an important election and it was essential that Mr Coates should be returned to power to continue his policy, which, lie could assure tho electors, was in the very host .interests of all classes. —(Loud applause.) 'A very 'hearty vote of thanks and of renewed confidence in Mr AVilliams was accorded on the motion, of Mr Eaana Walker, seconded by Mr D. McMillan. ' .