ROWDY MEETING

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11493, 21 November 1931, Page 5

ROWDY MEETING

INDEPENDENT’S CASE

MR, LYSNAR AT CITY HALL

ADDRESS MARRED BY CONSISTENT HECKLING.

The City. Hall was crowded last evening when Mr. W. D. Lysnar, Independent Coalition candidate for the Gisborne, seat, gave his first town address. Every seat was occupied , x and many people were round the walls J*Rn-d listening-in at the windows. The Xsftecting was distinctly noisy and the Candidate was the target. for persistent heckling. At times Mr. Lysnar’s voice was almost drowned by tho chorus of ; interruptions and onco the chairman bad to make an appeal for order. At the, close, amid some - dissent. a vote of thanks and confidence in’ the' candidate was declared carried, by acclamation. Mr. A. Wade, in introducing the candidate, said that it was obvious that the country was facing f. very difficult period. It was more necessary than ever, to select a stable Government. The Government of to-clay did not know what was coming next and that was why capable men were so (essential, to pilot the ship of State.. Mr. Lysnar had had 12 years in the House and such experience must be of the very greatest value indeed to the district which he represented. In his opening remarks, Mr. Lysnar pointed out that in a triangular contest there was a great element of »risk and that this' position- in Gisborne had been forced for political reasons. The Coalition leaders, he held, were not acting up to their manifesto, certainly not in this district at any rate. Mr. Coates was responsible for the local triangular contest. Mr. Lysnar had boon chosen by the Gisborne branch of the Rpform Party as candidate and when this dficision was communicated to Mr. Coates the latter said that he did not want the speaker as candidate. He did not blame the Reform Longue, nor Mr. deLautour for the position created, except in that his opposing Coalitionist had been so weak as to bring about a. chance of Labor being successful here. However, they all knew the position in Gisborne, and he had no doubt as to the result. Mr. Lysnar went, on I a sny ihat he had delayed coming out until his opponents bad bad an opportunity, for it seemed to him that it was their duty -to show where they could serve hotter than ho could or to show where his defects and omissions were. When all this criticism had been summed up, there seemed nothing apart from the statement that he was an Independent. '* A s to whether I am no good because L am an Independent,”, added Mr. Lysnar, “l 'leave to you, but I say that it is in the interests of the district and the Dominion that you send as many Independents as possible to the House. You can send Mr. deLautour, but jho will only do the bidding of tho (Coalition;, you can send Mr.' Coleman, ' who will not. carry out what tiis reason dictates, but simply, what his organisation directs. If you want independence . . . .” A voire: “Vote for von.” , NEVER REGRETTED BEING AN INDEPENDENT. • ‘‘You’ve hit it,” agreed Air. Lysnar. ‘‘The very fact that Air Coates insists that I be opposed is one of the* best possible tributes to me. WlxV should they want to get rid of me," if it is not because- of what I have done in the House? As far as f ara concerned, I have done my best iu the interests of the district nnd the Dominion, nothing that I need he .ashamed of, and I have never regretted being an Independent.. I have been pleased and proud of it. Members have, come to me and asked me to bring matters before the notice of Ministers and the House, saying that thpy could not [bring these up as they were hound to their party, while I was not. A? first I used to do as they wished, hnt. later I told them that if they came to the House hound by party fties they must take tho consequences. I can sav to you that, apart <>OK! the Cabinet Ministers, no member in, the House has suggested so much of tho legislation now on the Statute hooks as 1. have.” A voice: “Oh-h-h-h. Prime AHniister.” Stating that he could occupy hall an hour in giving instances in proof of this statement, Air. Lysnar conlenL'cl himself by referring to 'he fact .that be introduced the plan of sinking: funds for debenture repayments? a scheme adopted by the late L\fr. ALlVsey after consultation, with himself. ■ ‘Acting on that principle he.secured..a London loan for Gisborne ah a cheaper rate than had been obtained .before or, since. Air. Forbes had tine greatest respect for the definite nature of the speaker’s judgments and had shown this was so by his attitude in Iho House. WOPLDNT GIVE COALITION’ A BLANK CHEQUE.

“I want to be quite plain as to my’ position,’’ said Mr. Lysnar. "At thf. last election, l stood as an IndepeYiden t with loaning towards Reform*'' It is suggested that I did so with a pledge that I would not vote nmiinsb Reform, hut that is entirely w'rong. Before the Coalition was formed, T had become totally independent and I told the Speaker m the House to treat me as not joined to anv party whatsoever. Nevertheless I did give the United Party (support in measures which were for if he good of the Dominion, I had been‘l.o years With Reform and got nowhere, so when f nited came in 1 decided to give them a. trial in the hopes of something better resulting, f went over to Mr. Forbes and company. Later "I urged Reform to •rome over too and help the country through her time of great stress They have finally done that. I went first and Reform followed. Prior to this the United Party was satisfied with rnv support and T was officially informed they would not run a candidate against; me:. During those ■,times, a breach was expected almost daily. Wellington communicated with - the United Party here which, endorsed that attitude. Then came the l Coalition and Mr. Forbes said that ho would do l.i s best to give mo the trig. Later T was told that Mr. Coates insisted that -niv support mf the Coalition must he entirely un•coinditi/onal. Without knowing the programme and what linos they were going to work oh, I was Pot ready to give them a blank cheque. I am satisfied that the United Party was doing its best lor New Zealand, but T am not that Reform was, .for I 'believe they were trying to jockey (themselves into a commanding position.” “They’ve done it,” claimed an mteviector. . * You will do it by voting for Mr ddUsutotir,” replied , Mr. Lysnar. Continuing, he coni ended that half a' friiUV>n peonie in the Dominion today w'drg facing bankruptcy and yet ■the Refdrm Pbrtv wanted him to give innconditiohai. support to a. programme ihnout which he knew nothing .and which 'might hot held, at all to relieve the position. .He had replied that he could give only .conditional support, reserving to himself independence in the.matters of the local railway', trusts and combines and the nrovision *. of adequate finance f° r farmers. The last two factors munitioned were, in his view, the main .'causes of the present trouble and until they wore dealt; with there was little to hope for jn the wav 'of imnroved, conditions. Indeed, things would become worse. '

WHY _ TIE LEFT REFORM. There were many causes f°r h' R dissatisfaction with Reform, They had. again and again broken their pledges regarding Gisborne. they had promised this district a ra,ilway , but had not given! it . -Instead t!hey had gone in for some £7,50G,00CL un the way .of unproductive works. If an they sent him to the House with his hands tied, he could nob have opposed such expenditure. They had fought all night until 9. o’clock m the morning in opposition .to *n° /extra 2d tax on petrol in order. t° raise funds for the bettering of the lot of the backhlocks settlers. Mr. Forbe s wanted the extra 2d, hnt the stonewall meant that he would he unable to attend the Imperial Conference, so he eventually gave way and let the backhlocks go. That Reform stonewall was nob so much to block the farmers, hut to keep the credit away from Mr. Forbes. Reform had promised that, if trusts and combines reared their heads, All Coates wefttd cut them off, hut, instead, when those heads rose he supported them. Mr. Lysnar had told Air: Forbes and Air. Coates that it was not what thoy did in. tho inatter, but what Vestey’s, Borthwmk s, etc. did. If tlie business people were to continue in existence, they must join tlie farmers and sweep -all overseas freezing interests out- of tho Dominion. They must he removed or the business people would find themselves facing bankruptcy. These trusts and combines had the world in their grip.

BROKEN PROMISE BY AIR

FORBES

“Could you have any better install cie of flow Reform broke its pledge than in regard to the Gisborne line?” asked Air. . Lysnar. A number of Reformers and some Labor members came here, saw the country and praised the project, lot the line, vet all of them, including Mr. Iv. S.‘ Williams, voted against it in. the House. He did not blame them so much, except for the fact thov had pledged themselves to Reform. Air! Eorbes had stated that the voting on this matter would not be on party lines the speaker had thanked him for tnat assurance. Mr. Lysnar went round among the members and ascertoned there were sufficient in favor to carry the completion of the Gisborne line. When the subject came before the House, tlie, loaders became frightened, especially Mr. Coates, who isont the Whip around to tell the members to vote against the line. A do/,on or so came to Air. Lvsnnr and said that they regretted they were not now able fo support the line. His reply was that apparently it must he so and that lie could not complain of them, hut only of the fact that party had entered into, the matter. Cards were pricked again, hut one by one these dribbled away. There's your party Government for you and. that shows where the Independent comes in ” remarked Air. Lysnar. The candidate went on to recall that, when Alt. Coates visited Gisborne ho stated that the local line would pay four per cent. In the press at .that time .Mr. Coaxes was reported as saying tlie following:

“When the Reform Party had embarked on tho Nnpier-Gisborne line, careful estimates had been prepared by the Public Works Department as to probable revenue returns. Those figures had shown that the line would be about a 4 per cent, investment and about 8 or I) vears ago the line had been initiated from Eskdale northwards. It had been treated as of first importance and had made steady advance up to the recent past. Further on, Air. Coates stated:--“The 1924-25 report, had shown the prospect of a. 4 per cent, investment- in this line and with the developmental value to add to that prospect his party had favored the line.”

‘HUhis is what Air. Coates jput through, the local press, ’ said Mi. Lysnar, “and both papers had it. U he was wrong I v ’ reported, it- was clearly A.lr. Coates’s duty io correct, it. When I charged Air Coates m tho House with making these statements, he denied them. If a person attempts to avoid responsibility m this way, I cannot see any good m it. One day he says one thing, and then another to-morrow.” The speaker added that he looked on the United Party as the most sincere of the three parties in the House, though h e was not too sanguine and reared they would tend to consider only the small matters and leave the more {lmportant .atone. They were not keeping their ejes on the hall, but were watching th G scrummage and other players LABOR UNDER FIRE.

Regarding Air. Coleman, the candidate said that he had nothing against him personally, except that he pledged to support a party whoso policy was liable to change at every annual conference. Some might like that, but’ it did not suit- him and was not in the best interests of the Dominion. Air. C-oleman might ho tho best- man in the town., but that was of little account when he was bound hand and foot. No •Laborcandidate could deny that he "was compelled ito make a statutory declaration that h e would abide by the Labor platform and no other. Air. Coleman must make that declaration and a representative in that position was not in the interests of the district. “Is that any good for you?” asked Air. Lysnar. “Yes”, came several voices.

“A mighty small small yes,” rejoined ilr. Lvsnar, ‘‘Even the majority of the Labor supporters won’t say that, for they have the welfare of their children at heart. Perhaps you can take what has been .stated in England, In this paper. . . “The Gisborne Times,” was the only intelligible remark to be heard above-a storm of heckling. Mr. Lysnar made several attempts to continue, but the' rowdy, element in the audience kept up a persistent uproar.

‘‘The News-Chronicle, of London,” began Mr. Lysnar again, hut his voice was again drowned in the uproar. After a pause until the roar decreased slightly. Mr. Lysnar stated emphatically: “1 will get this out, for it i s for your benefit.” Eventually, Mr. Lysnar gave the press extract amid a chorus of protest from the Labor portion of the Jiall, the clipping dealing with the reunuciation by- some of the prominent Labor men of the Did Country of parts of the Labor platform and ideals.

There wore frequent cries of “Traitor” during the reading. Mr. Lysnar then stated that he had greatt-sympathy for the. general laborer, wlijch again brought‘laughter from the Lahbr ranks. 1 ,-;,

“You extremists may laugh,” said the candidate, “but you know what is in my mind and a great deal more” “Too bally right,” 'agreed some body at the back of The ' hall. REMOVING THE DEPRESSION. Mr. Lysnar went on.’to say that ho regretted very much indeed that the Coal i-tion had not issued - a- manifesto, hut said lie would nob quarrel with them over .anythis®, which was for the good of the country. Then he continued :-.'“ln my opinion, there are certain cardinal matters requiring kigislaiffion *fo meet the root cau'se of .our .economic' depression to-day,. those being: (1). So;.far as is practicable, to do'everything possibly to. stabilise the marketing of

our exporting products, arid'for "this purpose to co-operate with tho producers of other countries selling or exporting similar products, and also to co-operate with the Governments of the countries in which there m a market for any of our product? with a view to stabilising the market in. those countries for such products. (2). To so far as is practicable see that some better system of finance is provided to assist tho farmers of this Dominion by, inter alia, establishing an Association with power to raise and lend money upon long term mortgages upon the Agricultural Banking principle with provision for amortisation, and each borrower to take up shares to tho extent, of 5 per cent, -ot his mortgage, which i R to he available to protect all mortgages, tlie debentures of such an Association to have a limited'guarantee of the Government to say live millions pounds, to bo spread at the rate of 12$ per cent, on all debentures first issued up to £40,000.000. (3). To see that a proper tribunal is established, if necessary. under the control of a Minister of the Crown, with power to prohibit imnronor trading of nnv and every kind, in eluding overcharging or undercutting, which in the opinion of the tribunal is detrimental to tho public interest.” To an intersection, tho speaker said that the question •of over-changing was a very difficult one and for which it was impossible, to lay down any specific table to meet all cases. He had always agitated for such legislation arid be considered there should have been no cut in the wages unless this aspect of living conditions had also been dealt with. In, the House it. had been proved clearly that 17- extra was .being over-charged for petrol. “Why worry about that? AVhat about tea? bread, butter?” were a few of the vociferous inquiries, “Look at Hansard arid you will see that I have been opposed to anything increasing the cost of living,” replied Air. Lysnar. He went on to say that extra finance for the farmers must be provided and until they all woke up and put things right in this direction, there' would be .moro and more- difficulties ahead.

AIORE ABOUT LABOR’S PLATFORM.

Turning again to Labor’s platform, the speaker said that this included the following proposals: To carry out the dictates of the Labor conference; a Right to Work Bill, with payment of unemployed relief at £4 per week, which would mean an extra £7,5000,000 per annum; the restoration of the wages cut to civil servants, another matter of some £l,400,000 the removal of customs duties except those designed to protect New Zealand goods, which would mean tho finding of £15,500,000 extra to make up the consequent decrease in revenue. Such proposals were wholly impossible to carry out. Perhaps tho Labor leaders were as sincere as they were in the Old Country, but there they had to come hack and say it could not he done, if they wanted more unemployment, which would he the inevitable result of attempts to carry out such a platform, they should put Air. Coleman in. Already Air. Forbes had told them tha t loan money, went as fast as it was obtained.

The real cause of the slump, Air. Lysnar stated, was the low prices ruling for produce, this being admitted by all economists. As compared with 20 years ago. the producers were receiving from 20 to 30 millions less in value for produce. Only the previous day he had been speaking to a small farmer who sent 18 bales of wool Home and drew 3d per lb advance from the hank. Now he had reclamation of only £24 for that wool, so that i nail he received only £7l for those 18 bales.,which, would not pay the cost of shearing. The .bank simply received their interest and exchange, but nothing else. At such prices it was utterily impossible for the farmers to get on and to pay wages. AIE AT PRICES IN LONDON. •23 Air. Lysnar dealt at .some length with meat prices in London. He recalled his work for the farmer in this connection. “I gave Smith field and London/- ho said, “as good a rating as ever they had. Owing to my protests the Port of London Authority sent a man out, and ,he said they would improve matters at Home. Ho said it would cost £14,000,000 but they would spend it. He said the Port of London Authority had asked for a guarantee but the speaker said ho could give none. He said however, he would go from one end of the Dominion to the other and get the farmer to support London as the port for the shipment of meat, and he did so, and the improvements were made. AIL that was duo to his action and the. action of the Farmers’ Unions of New Zealand. The speaker dwelt on the difference in the price of meat in London and the price paid to the producer. The price of the cheapest stowing beef was Is 3d per lb. That was for New Zealand meat. British beef was 2s 8d per lb. That was in April 1929. The. price in New Zealand then would, bo 4d to 6ld per lb., but the farmer had to pay all charges which meant that he did not get 3d per lb, clear. Thus they could see the position of the unfortunate farmer. 1 he meat and shipping people got their charges, and the retailer raked off over Is per lb. Vesty’s, Borthwiok’s etc. made a Is per lb. in a few days but the farmer got only 3d per lb. for a few years’ work. He had been fighting this question for a long time. If the stonewalling tactics of the Reform party could be stopped, then he could get legislation on the Statute Book. He had pleaded with the Government for urgency, but it was no use. “Reform,” hq ‘ said, “are wedded to those people who are crucifying you. Why I don’t know.”

“WHY DON’T YOU PULL OUT?”

Mr. Lysnar said that now h© must give a little time to his opponents. Mr. deLautour was advertising himself as a Coalition candidate, but he was not entitled to do so. It' was neither correct nor proper. The Coalition “tag” was offered to the speaker but be turned it down, and he was assured by the Prim© Minister that they would • not allow anyone else to carry the tag but the speaker. Personally, he Lad sympathy with Mr. deLautour and also with the executive of the .Reform Party. The question, was: Were the electors of Gisborne to allow Mr. Coates who had broken his word in regard to the railway to Gisborne, to dictate as to who should hold the seat for Gisborne. People said, “Why don’t you pull out?”. “If I thought any good purpose would be served by pulling out I would do so cheerfully,” said Mr. Lysnar, . “but I know no good purpose would be served -by pulling oiit for a chid.” (Laughter)’. AMUSING ANECDOTES.

Recalling his work in the House Mr. Lysnar said that it was largely due to him that the Slaughterhouse Inspection Act was passed.. “Mr Masesy asked me to see if it was all fight,” said Mr. Lysnar amidst interjections. “I altered it ’(more interjection) and a voice, “You were the Premier, eh?”) and the Bill was then passed as I altered it.” (Laughter).

; “I have refused to hold office as a Minister of the Crown up to now,” continued Mr. Lysnar. “I told Mr. Massey that. It, wars recognised by Mr. Massey that I had as much influence as a Cabinet Minister,” (Shrieks of joy from the back), t If -1 wanted to go to a caucus I went to it. I. didn’t go to many because I wasn’t interested. Mr. deLautour

said that millions were spent in caucuses. Nonsense! Absolute ri on sense! Hb doesn’t know what he is talking about.” (Laughtor). - Turning again’to Air, Coate ; s, Mr. Lysnar said, “When a man breaks’his promise to ane, so far. .as I am able, I iwasli my hands of- that man; . Are von content to give your vote to a man chosen for,you bv Mr Coates. I don’t think so. Is there any wonder Mr. Coates thinks that anybody would lie better than W. D. Lysnar?’’ (Laughter). - “On one occasion Air. Coates offered a seat next to him. Ho said, “Coime hero Lysnar. bury tho past and kill the fatted: calf,” (Cries of astonished “Oh! Oh!”). I said, “No thanks, 1 am more haj. py where I am.” (Alore laughter).

UNPRODUCTIVE RAILWAY ■ ...A.-. . WORKS. - ■ - “Why that great palace, the Auckland railway station,” asked Air. Lysnar. “It is too good .even for London. They have a palatial dining room which has now been closed. This has not added one penuy to productivity. All, told £7,500,000 has been spent on these unproductive railway. works arid doesn’t Air. Coates get annoyed when I bring it, up in the House. They don’t like Lysnar because he sees a little further than the others. That’big sum on unproductive works is one of the factors affecting the railways to-day. Gisborne is suffering because Reform did not keep promises made and when a person breaks a promise to me I wash my hands of him. Are you going to put the seal on a man who stands for that party ? Is it any wonder that Air. Coates and his other members are doing their best .to prevent, me getting bach into the House?” Air. Lysnar went on to say that the Arortgagos Extension Act’ was a very important measure and a very necessary one. Under it relief was granted to rural lands. They might ask why it was confined to rural lands and the answer was that as all prosperity depended on tlie country this had to be propped up. He considered, however, that the legislation should also apply to “he towns and at his suggestion Air. Forbes hod agreed to Look into this possibility during the recess. He would certainly support any move in that direction. “TO R WITH THEM.” The speaker detailed liis own experiences in connection with some !amh s he had to sell. He offered them locally at a time when the quotation was (id per lb., as compared with a penny more in Hawke’s Bay. a difference due, lie claimed, to tlie "fact, that Gisborne had no railway and was at the mercy of tho trusts. He was told that his lamb would be accepted, but that tho price quoted might be subject to a reduction of Jd. Two days after he received a wire saying that the price was then s’d. “So I said ‘To .hell with them’ and shipped it Home. It is now on the water. How can farmers get on with conditions like that? inquired the Independent. Touching on the matter of licensing bookmakers, telegraphing money to the tote and holding of art unions, Ah. jjyxr.a r ,-uid that he considered the legislature was wrong in not meeting tee position, for it was obvious the instincts of the people must bo provided with an outlet. If man secured his amusement in that way, by all means let him. Bookies were all over the Dominion and he had preached before that, tlie failure to license them was wrong. It- was like prohibition. What country had benefitted by prohibition? In America, which has had most experience of it, there was more lawlessness than in any other country except Soviet Russia. He placed bookies in the, same category. Any law not respected was worse than no law at all. All the operations were being carried on underground and the Government was getting nothing whereas it should lx>"getting its share. Human inclinations and nature must he faced—when the law wont beyond, it was not possible to obtain obedience. EDUC ATT ON AL Ar A TTERB. Education was also referred to by Air. Lysnar, who said that he favored the appointing of subsidiary committees to deal with all education in the particular district. There was great scope for economies, as for instance in the way of travelling inspectors and the cost of building. In tlie House ho had suggested wooden schools. He, also believed too many young men were taking advantage of tree higher education, wh<#n tfiey had no intention of going in for any profession. That class of education was not necessary to the lad going in for business and if he went through with it he became too old to be apprenticed.^ 0 a trade. If a lad had the special ability it was perfectly correct . to give him every- opportunity, but otherwise it was waste of time and monev. He was in favor of Bible in schools, for it simply meant the readmg of passages from the Bible, these being, selected by a- committee represntative of all churches. No church could cavil at that and the plan had been commended by one of the heads of the Roman Catholic Church in \\ clilington. Mr. Lysnar also considered that subsidies for travelling should be allowed to pupils attending church schools.

Replying to questions, Mr. Lysnar said that he was strongly opposed to taxing motor cars on the basis of liorse.opewr. He had voted in favor of the grant of £625 to Mr. Thompson on his retirements because the regulations provided as' of right the granting of the sum when a man retired before his due,time; actually a substantial saving was effected. He certainly would not vote with the Opposition, it Reform bad a majority in the Coalition. If elected he would certainly use his independence for the benefit or the district 'exactly a 9 he had in the past and would not hesitate to attack the Premier or any other of the Ministers. Under certain circumstances he would-favor the paying of return fares to send immigrants back to the Old Country. Asked if he favored a State bank, the candidate replied that what was wanted were long term mortgages. , On the motion of Mr. G. Smith, seconded • by Mrs. Goffe, a vote of thanks to Mr. Lysnar his address and 'confidence in him as the dis. tfjet’s representative in the next Parliament was declared qarried by acclamation. There wero a number of dissenting voices heard amid the concluding uproar and three cheers were given by one section of the crowd fbr Mr. D. W. Coleman and for Mr, H. E. Holland, MR, COLEMAN AT MAKARAKA. PLEA FOR RETURN OF LABOR PARTY. Mr. 3). W. Coleman, the Labor candidate, addressed a meeting of over 50 electors in the, MakarakaMatawhefio Hall last night. Air. C. Gibson was chairman and, in introducing the candidate.- spoke in vqry high eulogy of Air. Coleman, stating that ho had worked With him iff locffl body work and knew ' that anything he’undertook ho did well. The candidate spoke on much the same lines as in his address iff Gisborne the previous evening, strongly condemning, the action of the United Party for joining up with tho Reform party. He contended that, by so doing, the . United Party had linked up with a ; party that ’had always opposed true Liberal legislation. Whilst the, old time Liberals had been allies, with Labor ,the present so-called Liberals wore nOtt fighting them. He dealt with the proposals of the Labor party to render financial

support to the farmers, claiming that it was only by such proposals that the rates of interest now paid -by farmers could bq reduced, and that it was oiily by reduction of the rates of interest that the farmer could hope to better his position. He claimed that Labour was the only party at the present time -that would attempt to legislate in the best interests of whole of thq people. Both the other parties hrid had their, opportunity and had failed/ IHe appealed to the electors to give the Labor. Party an opportunity and said . that it, would not fail. ' •:

Several questions wore- answered and the meeting cbtsed with the usual votes of thanks |6 the speaker ,and chairman!

AIR:. deLAUTOUR AT MURIWAT

UNANIMOUS AtOTION WISHING SUCCESS.

A good attendance of electors met Air. H. deLautour, tlie Coalition candidate at Muriwai, last night. iMri deLaritqur spoke on trie lines of his recent addresses. He stressed the necessity loir electing the Coalition candidate if the district was to share properly in the .works which, would undoubtedly be instituted As a result ofthe improved , conditions which would prevail after, the election. All that iwas needed now was confidence and that could certainly be restored only in the one way—.by the return of the Coalition candidates. Several questions were asked and satisfactorily answered. Mr. C. IT. Williams, who presided, moved “That this meeting thanks Air. deLautour for his very instructive address and wishes him every success,”

The motion was enthusiastically carried.

COATES ON CRiSiS

NEED TO GET MORE MEN ON LAND ALREADY A GRATIFYING RESPONSE (Pre9s Association..* AUCKLAND, Nov. 20. A crowded but by no means wholly sympathetic audience packed the Town Hall to-night, to hear Air Coates and thousand listened outside to loud speakers. Cheers on Air Coates’s entry were mingled witli considerable hooting from the Back of the ball. An address of welcome on behalf of the Auckland branch of the Reform League could not be heard for the constant interruptions, but Air Coates quickly commanded compairiattive quiet .bud a vote- of thanks and confidence that Air Forbes and Air Coates would soon relieve the country of its difficulties was carried with enthusiasm.

Air Coates described the present crisis as the greatest the country had to face. His statement that it was all important for the people of New Zealand that New Zealand should pay her way was loudly applauded. A casual reference to the Labor party roused an instant uproar. Touching on the problem of what to do for the 13,000 unemployed unprovided for every week, Mr Coates said that anything in the nature of the dolo would undermine the moral fibre of the nation. If £500,000 was available, it would bo possible to place 20,000 in productive employment, but that sum could nob be got without causing increased hardships by increased taxation. But already there was a gratifying response to schemes for getting men on the land, which promised greatly to relieve the situation in the near future. Ho made an appeal to employers to ration work as far as possible. Air Holland had promised that every wage-earner would have his wage cut restored, hut neither Air Holland nor anyone else could do that. 'As soon as the country righted itself and tho crisis was past, then only could they seriously promise to return to the old standard. Air Coates reminded the hostile section of his hearers that tho Socialist party in Australia made a 22 per cent, cut and included tho old age and widows’ pensions. He c< ncluded with a strong appeal to face the position ’squarely and place the country first.

AIR. HOLLAND AT TIAIARU

(Rross Association* TIALVRU, Nov. 20.

Air H. E. Holland, the Leader of the Labor party, addressed an audience of SOO to-night and was accorded a good reception. He traced the moves which led up to the formation of the Coalition party and said that the Calition was fighting the election on the Reform party’s policy. He spoke at considerable length on statements by Mr Forbes and Mr Coates on the fusion and urged the electors to see that Reform and United W’cro. decimated at the election. Unemployment also was fully dealt wbth along the lines of earlier speeches and similarly the question of land settlement. Dealing with the secondary industries, Atr Holland said a courageous policy in regard to both the primary and the secondary industries would be undertaken and an endeavour would bp made to start new v secondary industries. If Labor were elected to the Treasury benches, the credit facilities would bo so organised as to fill the volume and value of - production. The Labor party believed that the State should take at more effective part in controlling currency and credit. Mr Holland also'dealt the wheat question, taxation, and tho pledges of the Reform and United parties as reported in the southern centres. A vote of thanks and confidence was given.

ASSISTED IMMIGRATION

anti-coalitionist fairy story

FLAT CONTRADICTION BY MINISTER

(Press Association* • HAMILTON, Nov. 20. At Rukulua last night, the Hon. J. A. Young-, the Coalition candidate for Hamilton, referred to the statement of the Labor candidate on Monday niglit where he said “a scathing criticism was levelled at the action of the party in power in spending thousands of pounds on assisted immigration in the present time. Not only wero the fares of new arrivals paid, but they were guaranteed work in domestic Service and other capacities.” In reply, the Minister said that, the Government in power was not spending thousands of assisted immigration at the present time. He spoke with authority as Minister of Immigration. It had been freely stated in the. campaign that the Government was advertising in newspapers in Great Britain inviting immigrants ito come to New Zealand. ' The position was that the last draft of domestics left England on May 22, 1931, under agreements contracted prior to March 31. All such contracts, had since been, cancelled and all applications by domestics for free passages received l after March 31 last were declined. MATAURA SEAT (Press Association 1 GORE, Nov. 20. Mr. Thomas Golden, the unofficial Reform-Coalitionist for the Mataura seat; addressed the electors at WaL kaka Valley.' He declared himself a supporter of the Coalition and adv<s ciated the derating of farm lands. He received a vote of thanks and confidence. :V ’

' WAIPAWA SEAT COALITIONIST DISAPPROVES OP ' -.GRADUATED LAND TAX (Press Association) DANNEVIRKE, Nov. 20. Mr. A. E. Jull, Coalition candidate for Waipawa, opened. his campaign at Norsewood. Ho declared' himself a supporter of the Govefhmont in. any action ft might take to put the Dominion’s finances in order. He expressed diso.pproval at the abolition of the graduated land tax, and agreed that the decision of - the New Zealand Counties’ Association against the derating of farm lands was sound. He was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

ROWDY MEETINGS AT AUCKLAND COMMUNISTS COUNTED OUT s ' / IPresn AssociationJ AUCKLAND, Nov. 20. A small delegation of Communists attended Mr. A. J. Stallworthy’s meeting in Eden last night and caused much of the disturbance -until they were counted out by Labor supporters, who themselves were' heckling the candidate. Then, declaring their disgust, the Communists, who included a woman, left the hall before the meeting closed; Mr. S. Rickard, whoso meeting at Onehunga was the rowdiest of all, said from tho platform that he did not blame Onehunga people but Communists who had come from the city SUPPORT FOR COALITION. . PREMIER PLEASED WITH PROSPECTS IN OTAGO. (Press Association DUNEDIN, Nov. 20. The Prime Minister expresses himself as pleased to note evidence or the large support which is being extended to Coalition candidates in Otago. Last night-, among other activities, Mr. Forbes appeared at 'Ravensbourne, in .support of Mr. McCrae, the Coalition candidate for Dunedin North, and had a favorable reception. This morning, he attended a meeting of the Unemployment Committee at the Town Hall, and discussed several aspects, including that of the financing of the unemployment problem. Subsequently, lie received a number of deputations on important matters and, at night, he addressed a very large meeting in the Town Hall. To-rnorrow, the D.ririie Minister will continue his tour northwards, visiting Oamai'u and Waitaki electorates, and speaking at Waikonhiti, Palmerston, Hampden and Oamaru, where he will address a public meeting in the evening. He will then proceed to Christchurch, where he will deliver an address on Monday night and on Tuesday lie will speak at Lees ton and -V-h barton, going on to the North Island by lorry steamer on Tuesday night from Lyttelton.