THE EGMONT SEAT

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 October 1925, Page 8

THE EGMONT SEAT

MR. HAWKEN’S CAMPAIGN. KAPUNI AND KAPONGA MEETINGS. Mr 0. J. Hawken, the sitting memhei- and Reform candidate for the Egmont electorate, continued his campaign last evening, when he addressed well-attended meetings at Kapuni and Kaponga. .At both places Mr Hawken was well received, and on the conclusion of ,the respective addresses and discussions was ' accorded enthusiatic vote of thanks.

Mr J. F. Stevenson presided at the Kapuni meeting, which opened in the hall at 7 p.m. Mr Hawken’s address dealt with the achievements of the Reform Party whilst in office!, and its future programme. He gave answers to a number of queries from his auditors, and was heartily applauded when the vote of thanks was carried.

The business of the meeting at Kaponga commenced shortly after 8.30 p.pi., Mr A. V. Tait, who extended an apology for the unavoidable absence of Mr A. R. Bates, chairman of the Town Board, being in the chair. Mr Hawken sketched the planks of the Reform Party’s platform, and proceeded to emphasise the progressive steps the Government had taken in furthering educational faculties, its extension of the pensions scheme, its land policy and the measures taken to prevent land aggregation by owners of large areas, Criticising the “use ho Id” tenure advocated by the Labour Party, he described it as partial confiscation. The party mentioned could be divided into two factions —the Communists, who advocated revolution, if necessary, to achieve their ends, and the Socialists, who aimed at control by but he issued a warning that the objective of both parties meant literally the confiscation of all wealth-producing resources and the consequent restriction of individual freedom. Mr Hawken wished to correct an erroneous .impression which seemed prevalent, to a. certain extent, among tiiose opposed to the Labour Party, that it did not matter whether a Reform or Nationalist candidate was voted for. In Mr Coates the Reform Party had a leader possessing the full confidence of his followers, who believed that, if given the opportunity he would, with his confreres, guide the country’s destinies in accordance with principles which would provide for the stability and safety of the State, the security of the individual and equality of opportunity and for order and peace m the community. Tire safest way for the electors to ensure that such principles could be put into practice would be to discard any theories relating to the impression mentioned, and by giving solid support to the Reform candidates, enable the party t'o secure a good working majority in the new Parliament. REPLY TO MR. W. A. SCOTT.

Referring to a letter signed “W. A. Scott,” which appeared in last night's Star concerning, the question relating to the fusion of the Reform and Liberal Parties, asked at _Mr Hawken’s Manaia meeting on Friday evening, Mr Hawken said: “The whole of the facts are on the table, and electors may judge for themselves who was right or wrong in the matter.” When the representatives of the tw'o parties had first discussed the position, there had been no dispute as to the leadership ' of the amalgamated party or the general policy. Tip to this point they had been in perfect accord. Then the Liberals, in response to inquiry, had asked for five portfolio® in the Ministry, but the Reformers had stipulated that the choice must, he left to the Prime Minister. Eventually the Liberals had agreed to this, but when the question of the time for the fusion was mooted they had insisted on an immediate reconstruction of the Cabinet.

It was on this point, and not. the reconstruction of policy (which cbuld have easily been overcome) that the parties had failed to agree. This presented a very difficult problem, and the Prime Minister could not reasonably have been expected to reconstruct his Cabinet on the eve of ah election. In the speaker’s opinion, it was a pretty shrewd move lon the part of the Liberals, and was tantamount to a reiteration of theirs former demand for portfolios. The Liberals should have waited and relied on the Prime Minister’s assurance that the Cabinet would be reconstructed and their party treated fairly in the matter after the elections had taken place.

“As to the question of debating the matter on the public platform, as suggested by Mr Veitch,” said Mr Hawken, “such a proposition is ridiculous. They could not get any further in the matter by such means, and there was no object to be gained by debate between representatives who had been opposed during the negotiations.’’ The available facts could be reviewed in Hansard, and the public could judge for themselves. QUESTIONS.

Asked the amount the Hawera County was contributing to the hospital, Mr Hawken said he was unable at the meeting to give the exact figures, but he understood the county was paying about £I3OO too much in proportion to other counties, on account of the high valuation. “If this is so, is it just that a man should he compelled on an order made under a judgment summons to pay hospital fees?” asked the questioner. Mr Hawken replied that apparently the case in point had been dealt with on its merits by the court. If a person was able to pay hospital fees, it was quite right that he slxpuld be made to do so.

.“Would you favour the , financing of a housing scheme ‘by ia sweepstake competition of say 6s entrance, the winner to receive the Government bond for £500?” asked another questioner.

Mr Hawken replied that it would be better for the Government to finance housing requirements by loans, as the issue of bonds would tend to decrease the value of the country’s currency. Answering further questions concerning sweepstakes, Mr Hawken said that whie not altogether opposed to gambling within reasonable limits he did not favour .any undue encouragement of the spirit. Replying to a request for an explanation of the Government’s action in regard to an amendment to a Bill so as to compel county councils to erect approaches to bridges, Mr. Hawken said the amendment liad been negatived because it was considered impracticable. and the Government could not reasonably dictate to county councils in this matter, and so add in such a specific manner to their financial burdens when it was tlieir function to provide for the maintenance of the whole. of the roads within tlieir respective areas.

To 1 a further question Mr. Hawken replied that lie did not favour extending the recurrence of the prohibition poll to nine years, as if the issue was not decided at the coming poll a further three years would enable the suc-

cess or otherwise of prohibition in America to be judged. He would then be in a position to' offer a further opinion on the matter.

“Do you think it right that the poll should be taken in conjunction with Parliamentary elections?” continued the questioner. Mr. Hawken replied that while the separate poll might be considered more satisfactory, it was questionable whether .the great expense entailed would be justified. He personally thought, however, that the xieriod between the elections and prohibition poll alike might well be extended to live years, as was the system in the Old Country. Asked if lie would support the abolition of short leases, Mr. Hawken said be did not think short leases were (in, the Lest interests of the country districts, and he would favour legislation revising the terms of leases in New Zealand. Votes of thanks to Mr. Hawken and the chairman concluded the meeting. ■ <