GENERAL ELECTION.

Grey River Argus, 2 November 1928, Page 6

GENERAL ELECTION.

CIVIL SERVANTS. No Restoration of Cut. WHAT MR COATES SAYS. PUKEKOHE, November 1. The Prime Minister addressed a capacity house at the Strand Theatre at Pukekohe to-night on similar lines to his previous speeches, except that he directed attention to Mr Holland’s speech at Auckland last night relative to an increase in the family allowances. Mr Holland credited him with saying that the Government intended to make the allowance £250,000 annually. In this Mr Holland had misrepresented the position, as what he said was that the allowance would ultimately range from £200,000 to £230.000, and increases, he said, would be made as soon as the country was in a position to stand it. Mr Holland had made reference at Auckland to the restoration of the 1921 cut in the wages of civil servants. This was made by the Leader of a Party which was putting itself up to the highest bidder and which was going to pay for it with the country’s money, and by a Party which had no responsibility. The position was that since the cut was made a process of re-grading and re-classification of public servants had taken place. It would, said Mr Coates, be ex tremely difficult to restore the cut to the public, servants. How it could be done Mr Holland only could say.. As soon as the country was in a position, the Government would consider the matter and give benefits if possible. THE RAILWAY MANAGER’S SCREW. Reference was made to Mr Sterling by Mr Coates, who said that Mr Holland criticised his salary and his superannuation, but did not say where they could get someone better to manage the railways. He (Mr Coates) believed Mr Sterling would make good, because ho had the co-operation of the railway servants, and was striving to obtain' eo-operation from the public. NO EIGHT HOUR DAY. Mr Coates described Mr Holland reference to there bein* neither order nor method in the running of Parliament to-day as being ridiculous and too. absurd'for words. “What would he suggest? Eight hours a day?” asked Mr Coates. Parliament, he said, .was conducted well, and he believed a majority of members agreed such was the case. Last session more work had been done in less time than usual. He declared Mi Holland had received better treatment from him than any other Leader of the Opposition ever had. THOSE BALLOT PAPERS. Mr Holland asserted that the Government had tricked people over the Licensing Bill. He (Mr Coates) gave it an emphatic denial. lie considered the country had had a fair and squai e deal He said the people knew it and that the Leader of the New Zealand Alliance had confirmed this. Mr Coates spoke relative to printing of the three issue ballot pap e-s for the referendum. Mr Holland had been assured, he said, that nothing but local restoration papers had boon printed, and not those dealing with the main issue. Despite documentary evidence ■ „ that effect and the assurances, why did Mr Holland continue to make sueh statement A unanimous vote - thanks and confidence in the Government was paused, and Mr Coates was cheered from the commencement to the conclusion of his meeting.

Opposition Leader. TO SPEAK AT GREYMOUTH. The Leader of th 0 Opposition, Mill E. Holland, who has been addressing a succession of crowded meetings from end to end of the Dominion, including a vast audience at Auckland both inside and outside the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, will next week return to the West Coast. He will deliver an add.es- at the Greymouth Town Hall on the evening of Wednesday next. Sth inst. The Leader of the Opposition has now the reputation of being the finest orator in the New Zealand political field, and his probing analysis of the Dominion’s economic foundations is attracting the keenest interest wherever he speaks. PETER FRASER’S SEAT. WELLINGTON, November 1. Mrs Young, whose nomination for Wellington Central caused so much surprise, states that her reasons are: First, there is a place for women members in Parliament; and, secondly, she is dissatisfied at having Mr Holland, Mr Fraser and Mr Semple at the hea_ of the Labour movement m New Zealand, as she considers them Rea leas and extremists, under whom the Labour movement cannot hope to progress. GENERAL NOTES With the g noral elections less than two weeks oil, Ibero is 11 0 interest at present being shown m m Nelson "contest beyond the usu» “street corner” talk. Both candidates, Mr 11. Atmore, the retiring member,’ who is seeking re-election, and Mr F. W. O. Smith, who is carrying the Reform banner, have addressed thcitv electors in some of the smalhr places in the electorate. Mr Atmor: bad a crowded meeting at Neison While Mr Smith had a wll filled building, in spite of a wet night. Mr Smith created a good impression. Mr Atmore had a majority of 2466 at the last election, when he was opposed bj Mr Gilbert (Reform) who polled 248-1 votes and Mr T. Brindle (Labour), who is opposing the Hon R. A. Wright this year for Wellington suburbs) who polled 11-00 votes. Mr Smith has a long and creditable record of local body service, and before coming to live in the city, was a farmer in the Waimeas. He is meeting with a good deal of support and his friends ar: emphatic in stating that he will make a good fight oi it. “The only ev nt that, would make me stand down would be to attend my funeral,’’ declared Mrs C. E. Maugiro Reform candidate , addressing Auckland East electors ’at Newmarket. “Docs your mother know you’ri out Tommy!*” called an interjeeter to a youthful Auckland candidate. “No” replied, the budding politician, “but sho will know I am in after November 14.”