THAT ELECTION EGO

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10738, 8 November 1928, Page 2

THAT ELECTION EGO

WHAT THE REPORTERS NARROWLY MISSED. ‘

AMUSING INCIDENT AT WANGANUI.

(Special To The Times). WANGANUI. Nov. 6,

Dealing with , the question of unemployment, the Prime Minister speaking as a result of a complete study of the position, .said that N.Z was a more prosperous country than am; other in the known world. Replying to an interjection concerning the Queensland unemploy ment insurance scheme, Mr. Coates said that the introduction of such ; scheme here would be oiip of Ncaa Zealand’s greatest mistakes. Increas od taxation would not bring prosperity ; it simply knocked the initiative of those who had the money to spend and paralysed industry. Before tin creation of a permanent load whici all the people had to carry, it wiv necessary to ascertain the best means m which the surplus funds could bapplied to tlie benefit of the conimui ity. “Three cheers for Joey Ward” called a member of the audience. Three feeble cheers followed prompting from the Prime Minister the remark, “That does not look 13winnmg the election, does it 0 ” (Laughter and applause). “Have you ' ever tried living oi twelve bob a day,” a voice called when the Prime Minister was dealing with relief works. The Prime Minister: “You car take it from me, 1 have lived on less than that ”

Mr. Coates repeated that the relie rates of pay were not being give! with any idea of reducing wages Had standard rates been paid then were a great many farmers who. would have been glad of the opportunity of earning 15s a day. A voice: “You should keep tilt men when they are starving.” 'The Prime Minister: “There is no need for any man woman or child ii this country to starve, and you know it. You know there are public owned and managed institutions whose function it is to see that no one starves.” The Prime Minister said that, sine;the present Government had been i office, greater progress had beer made in industrial police than had been made in the previous 20 years Some one in the gallery at iliimoment showed that lie had not -thr same sporting spirit as Labor MaHr Rogers (who, was chairman), for the first egg of the campaign came down and skimmed the heads of the pressmen in the orchestra well, ft she'’ its fragrance. It was not a good shot and it Was not a very good egg. It is fair to Waiiganui to say that this incident was not in keeping with the spirit of the meeting, for the audience was a good-natured one, out for election fun.