UNDER FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10735, 5 November 1928, Page 5

UNDER FIRE.

AIR.. LYSNAR ON LABOR PARTY. PLATFORM STRONGLY CRTI- - SITTING MEMBER AT MURIWAJ. Alter addressing meeting at- WaiToaarid Nuhaka, Mr, W. D. Lysnar, sitting member for Gisborne, returned t.o /town on Saturday, afternoon and that evening, journeyed, out to Muriwai where lie addressed between 21) wnd 00 electors ■ in the schpolhouse. Mr.. Richard Black was in'"the chau and introduced the candidate.

After remarking that, in a triangular contest, it was hard to forecast the result, Mr. Lysnar delined Ins position as ah .Independent Reformer who would put country and district first, with party second. Party va» necessary, but it could he carried too far as in the case of Labor and United. Since the other candidates had spoken at Muriwai, they bad both pub forward their platform. That of the Uiiiteds’ appeared very limited arid almost wholly hinged around the £70,000,000 Ran. Air Lysnar doubted yery much whether Sib Joseph Ward cpuld get this money at 44 per cent, as stated, for there appeared ho reaso.n why Sir Joseph should be especially priviledged when other Dominions found they could not liaise money so cheaply. ' If such cheap money was available, then Reform would be quite ready to take it and they appeared far better situated to take it than a new party. Mr. Lysnar then dealt with other points of the United platform as at previous meetings. The official United candidate had confined a large portion of his campaign to personal attacks. “Pe- has attacked me,” added Mr. Lysnar, “but I don’t mind that in the least. You have seen what iny work lias been iii the House; the papers havo been very fair in. detailing it all to you.” Mr. Lysnar defended the Reform Government on lines of previous addresses, remarking that, if anyone was to blame for the recent depression, it was the ex-Kaiser for starting the war, which brought the •slump as an aftermath. Taxation could not be reduced until times unproved and Mr. Holland’s promise to increase taxes, especially oh the laud, was wrong in principle, lor it would make the lot of the poorer man much harder—without affecting the rich who. under such heavier taxation, would simply "hold back and defer development of his property'until taxes came down again. The poorer man, however, would not have the resources to enable ldm to adopt a similar course/ .“When Mr. Holland uay K tic will make the land tax stcepei it shows clearly that lie doesn’t know at all what he is talking about, remarked Mr. Lysnar. UNEMPLOYMENT QUESTION. The speaker went on to state that ■unemployment, from figures quoted in ■ the House last session, was lower iii*.'New Zealand than elewhere. “You’f© wrong,” caino an interruption. • > r I‘Tmndb wrong,” replied Mi'. Ly - uar emphatically. “You wUl_ find R all in a recent Hansard, and the statistics were official figures.’’ 1 “What about France?” inquired the filterjector. couldn’t say about l'ranc©,’ answered Mr. n kut, the countries mentioned in the House, New Zealand liad the lowest rate.” “France has only I,TOO unemployed,” .asserted the interjector. “If that is so,” Mr. Lysnar said, “then it is probably accounted for by the great amount of ’rehabilitation work going on there as a result of the . war, but I really have not studied up the position of France.” Continuing, Mr. Lysnar dealt with finance for farmers as at previous meetings, mentioning the different receptions, accorded at Home, to Australian Labor and Now Zealand loans put on the market a few weeks, ago. Only 20 per cent, of th© former was taken up, whereas the New Zealand Joan was subscribed live, times over in ilbbut two hours frbiri opening. , 'f.lf, Labor cam© into powenhere,” he added, “J. believe history might repeat itself and we find ourselves unable to borrow money. That is a serious risk and' the Dominion cannot afford to take any risks which may' jeopardise her "financial stability, as, for instance, b.y putting Labor or United in:” '.LABOR'S REVOLUTIONARY •. f . ’AIMS. -After emphasising how the weirare of; the j whole Dominion depended on the, primary producer, Mr. Lysnar went on*to criticise the Labor Party’s policy. “They are against” the King, church and Parliament,” he said A voice: “Nonsense.” Mr. Lysnar: “I’ll show you it’s uot. TV ill you deny that Lafor is out for revolution, by force if necessary?” t ••'■■ '■ ■.

“Yes, certainly, that’s absolute nonsense,” replied the interrupter. “Well, you’re- the first man I’ve heard, deny it. Do you deny they believe that the whole Dominion should he slimed up equally amongst all?” •“Yes', certainly.” '• > • ■Mr. Lysnar quoted extracts from a Labor statement wherein it .was said that each person’s share of New Zealand was approximately £SOO and “silver bullets” were ashed for,: to assist in 'capturing ‘ the Government so that this’ 'division could be made‘A nice hew freedom,’’’ added the speaker. “To carve up' your earnings with people who haven’t earned anything and to do it simply by capturing the Government!” Mr. Lysnar also quoted from the “Alaoriland Worker” and quoted a resolution passed in Australia, both statements'showing Labor's aim *o be revolutionaryi “How long ago was that resolution passed ?” asked a voice. - “In 1922.” replied Mr. Lysnar.. ••“They have changed since then.’’ “No,' they haven’t,” stated the candidate'. “At Matawliero Mr. Colaman expressly said that Labor’s aims and views were unchanged. We have a constitutional platform, but Labor has only a revolutionary and confiscation platform.” s “Wait until the 14th,” countered tho interjector. " ’ '“l’d loso a lot of sleep if I thought Labor was going in.” answered M r Lysnar. _ * Tho interjector: “No doubt von Would.” -Another voice: “So would I.” A third voice: “I thought Labor' was against war?”' ■ Mr. Lysnar: “Yes, in a way they are. They want to abolish militarism so that it will be all the easier for them to obtain their revolutionary ends with the soldiers absent. Their platform .provides expressly for the repeal of the Defence Act. Will my Labor friend Over in the corner say there --should , be no-..defence? 1 A* pause.) No;’he keeps silent.’! 1 'This roused the interjector, who averred that the candidate was only guessing Ut. “No, I’m not,” answered Mr. Lysnar.<- ‘Micro is a copy of Labor's platform, published by Labor, and it is from that that I’m quoting. After Mr. Holland’s- visit to Australia, it was stated that lie -was to be head of the Labor Council here.” “He’ll be head of all New Zealand in a fortnight.” came a rejoinder. “I don’t think so,” said Mr. Lysnar. ” . / ‘ . • “You’ll get a shock,” promised the interrupter. _ ” After 'further denials, Mr. Lysnar continued his criticism of Labor, stating that its followers bound themselves down to obey all the principles of-the platfoym. ’constitution and decisions ‘of the Labor Party and no other, quoting from Labor’s own printed platform in proof of this- Mr

Coleman had to make such a promise and Mr. Holland had introduced the Labor candidate at Gisborne as a man eminently fitted to carry the Labor Party’s banner. “Surely the district doesn’t want a rnan who is tied down and must take orders from the Labor people only?” asked Mr. Lysnar. “Reform represents all classes—isn’t that much better than the man who represents one class alone? In the House, Mr. Howard said that he was bound to obey none ether than, the Labor Party arid that they aimed at abolishing Parliament as it was now constituted. Labor followers will not sing the National Anthem.”

“Nonsense,” sard ,the persistent iuterjector“They simply stand with their mouths shut- I, and others, havo often watched them,” stated Mr. Lysnar, who went on to quote from Saturday’s papers the remarks made by Mrs. Margaret Young, . the 'Wellington Labor candidate, wiio declared she would not support Mr. Holland on Anything, as. he. and other leaders, were too “Red Fed.” “That woman,” added Mr. Lysnar, "has the stamina and patriotism to stand out for the good of the country and the Empire.” 5 Oilier planks of Labor’s platform were criticised ty Mr. Lysnar 1 on lines of previous addresses, he aiso pointing out that, though Mr. Coleman made a point of Labor’s plan of unemployment insurance as a new idea, it was not so and he (Mr. Lysnar) with other Reform members, had urged it in the House. As a result the Minister for Labor had promised to bring down a comprehensive report last session, even sending an export overseas to investigate, but Mr. Anderson’s illness had delayed the report until too late this year. GISBORNE RAILWAY NOT NEGLECTED.

In dealing " with the Napier-Gisb-orno railway, Mr Lysnar ridiculed the suggestion that Mu. Coates was neglecting its construction, stating that, last year, of the total allocation for railways construction, about oncthird, or £324,000, was the share of this line, and it was going ahead as rapidly as ever, despite the tact that Mr. Clayton had asserted lie (Mr Lvsnar) had caused it to be held up. Mr. Lysnar also dealt with his reasons for supporting the inland route on linos ot previous addresses. In'conclusion, Mr. 'Lysnar referred shortly to the United candidate, lor the Gisborne seat, stating that, though Mr Clayton held the label a great honor, it was only . ottered to him after it had been' hawked about and refused by many others, both 111 the Gisborne and Wairoa districts. WHAT REFORM HAS DONE.

A ' questioner asked, what was* the National debt of New Zealand to-day. Mr, Lysnar: “i have the figures here—it is somewhere about £240.000.”

Questioner: “No, you're wrong, it is £253,000.” ■ 41 The chairman; “You re both wrong; it’s millions.” Mr Lysnar: “Yes, somewhere about taut figure/” Questioned': “And, with all that the Reform Government has added to tho dei’tt during the last 10 Years, they can give us only soup kitchens. What have they done for the country?” Mi'. Lysnar appeared staggered by tho question'and then: “There you are,” ho burst ouj, “that’s the: sort of soap-box talk we get every where. What has Reform done 1 I’ll tell you what it has done. Look around you in Gisborne." Haven’t we got a splendid all-weather/highway from Gisborne to" Napier? lielonn gave you that. Isn’t there a great hydroelectric, scheme' in' progress, which, in 12 years, will probably bo producing £8,000,000 a year ? We have altered school buildings almost throughout New Zealand, making them more healthy and up-to-date. Haven’t we made big advances to returned soldiers and settlers and opened up large areas of country—all reproductive? Didn’t wo spend £83,000,000 on tho. war? That saveel us and civilisation, liut lor that, we might l , to-day, he blacking the boots of Germans, and yet you and your Labor Party want us to be without defence. Now Zealand has passed through her most troubled times in recent years and. it is not fai’’ tc compare tiie position fo-day with what it was in the past. ’ A voice: “Not fair Hi the slightest.”

The questioner: “That’s your opinion. Anyway the workers have dono more i s or tho country thiiu anybodv also.” , ' V ~ Mr. Lysnar: “The good workers, the 95 per cent., but not tlio 5 per cant, of loaders.” Mr. C. Clayton asked whether Mr. Lysnai' did not consider it a better ploicy for all construction to' be carried on on one railway line. In reply, Mr. Lysnar stated that such was the Government’s policy as much as possible. It would not bo possible to concentrate vho.ly on one line, as- the costs of transporting plant would lie too groat- and, anyway, it would be impossible to employ the whole resources of the Dominion on any one line. ‘'Vote for the United Party' if you want the Gis-borne-Napiev line stopped.” added Mr Lysnar,' , “for, 'in the House, Mr. Forbes advocated its stoppage. I replied to Mr. Forbes and pointed out, that, lie, being a South Island man, had nothing to do rvith our North Island lines, especially as the south Hues were paying only $ pei- cent, against 3-4 in the north.” Asked by Mr. C. Clayton his views on Government interference with private enterprise, Mr. Lysnar explained his stand as in previous addresses. In moving a hearty vote of thanks and .confidence to Mr. Lysnar. Mr. Chas. G!bson recalled the United candidate’s stand when he opposed Sir Janies Can-oil. ‘‘Then,” said MrGihson, “there was never a more rabid, old-fasliioned Conservative than Mr. 'Lissant Clayton, and now we have him changed right round to Liberal colors. In , Mr. Lysnar- we have a man who is not afraid to speak out, who will come to grips with both the Labor leaders, and the extreme capitalists, and to whom we owe a very great debt for his work in tlio interests of the district.” sApplause.) The motion was seconded Mr. Mr. {_(. Clayton and carried with acclamation and not a dissenting vo'ice.