ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 October 1928, Page 5

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

MR. COATES AT AUCKLAND. GIVEN SPLENDID RECEPTION. DIFFICULTIES OF UNITED PARTY (By Telegraph—Special to The Star.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 30. All previous receptions accorded t-o the Prime Alinister in the current election campaign palled into, insignificance when compared with the scenes of enthusiasm whic-li marked lii® address at the Town Hall last night. Long ■before S o’clock the hall was filled to its capacity of 3000 and an additional audience of from lour to five thousand people heard the speech through loud speakers. As Mr Coates entered the hall he was cheered. Up in the gods a group of Labour supporters commenced, to boo, but the Reformers were equal to the. occasion and as cheers and applause rose in a gigantic crescendo they subsided. Throughout his speech Air Coates was subjected to interjections from this group, who were supported on a few occasions by a section* of the Uniteds, who were in the more sedate gallery. Before commenting on the United Party’s platform, the Prime Minister expressed deep sympathy with Sir Joseph Ward in his illness and wished him a speedy recovery. As for the difficulties of tlia'b party, he . amused the audience by quoting editorial opinion concerning the efforts of the Liberals to find a policy to go to the country with in 1914. The quotation was apt, as regards the emergence of the Uniteds and their leader. Mr Coates said that the only respectable parts of the long deferred policy were those which promised a continuation of the Government’s good work; the other things were merely blatant electioneering, one of the m-ost desperate bids for power ever made in the country. Uniteds had searched everywhere for a leader and had at last put their hope in Sir Joseph Ward, expecting that he might startle New Zealand.

“Sir Joseph Ward rose to expectations all right,” said Air Coates. “He gave New Zealand the biggest fright it had had for many years. The'."Uniteels are saying, ‘Let us ea’b. drink and be merry with- the other fellow’s -financial champagne, and let those who are coming behinci us have the headache.’ ”

The Labour Party were described as soft pedallers, who were trying to deceive the electors into believing that, they are ndb so Socialistic as they really Were.

Mr Coates dealt with the statement of Air R. W. Holmes, Jate chief engineer of the Public Works Department, that the Arapuni dam was unsafe, and he quoted telegrams from Air F. W. Furkert, the chief engineer of the department, Mr Alarchbanks, Dr. P. Alarshall and Dr. Henderson, members of the commission that investigated the site in 1921, to the effect that the foundations were sure and safe and Shat the dam was the right one for the purpose. Outlining the Government’s achievements during the past three yeans, and its policy measures for the future, the Prime Alinister said that it was intended to make use of the Rteturriecl Soldiers’ Association for getting into touch with soldiers who .were now cracking up. ■ The Prime Minister was accorded a vote of thanks and of confidence, further cheers over-riding a. counter demonstration.

MR R. MASTERS AT INVERCARGILL.

INVERCARGILL, Oct. 29.

Mr'Robert Masters, Dominion chairman of the United Patty, delivered an address to a large and most enthusiastic audience this evening. He said the party provided in its platform a promise to ensure that candidates represented qn absolute majority oi electors by passing legislation to provide for preferential voting. Mr Masters declared that Sir Joseph Ward’s proposal to raise £60,000,000 for loans to farmers to provide assured finance at a low rate of interest was .statesmanlike and economically sound. Criticism being levelled at the proposal was only the same criticism by the same party that was so bitterly opposed to the Stake Advances Office. The Prime Minister had criticised Sir Joseph Ward’s proposal as a “borrow, boom and burst” policy. “We will borrow: and boom, and the only bursting that will take place will be the Reform Party on November 14, and the bonds when they are redeemed in 32V years,”, said Mr Masters. Mr Maskers attacked the Government’s settlement policy referred to the speech delivered in Wellington by Mr Hawken. The Minister had made it clear that whatever assistance was rendered was given primarily for the purpose of keeping the Reform Party in power. It was a, most scandalous exhibition of people’s votes being bought with their own money. A resolution was carried that the meeting “Express complete endorsement of the statesmanlike policy of the United Party as calculated to bring renewed prosperity to the Dominion, and declares its unabated confidence in Sir Joseph Ward as the leader and pledges itself to use every endeavour to secure victory of the party of progress at the forthcoming polls.”

ELEVENTH HOUR NOMINATION

WELLINGTON ,Oet. 30. An eleventh hour surprise was- the nomination of Mrs. Young for Wellington Central ais an Independent Labour candidate. She is the wife of Mr. W. T. Young, well known in connection with the local Seamen’s Union. He himself told an audience that he knew nothing about it. and urged his hearers to support Mr. Fraser.

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE.

SERVICES APPRECIATED

At Auckland, on- Wednesday last, the largest meeting of New Zealand citrus growers held in. th-o Dominion to date unanimously adopted the following resolution: “That this meeting of New Zealand citrus growers places on record its deep appreciation of the valuable services' rendered to- the citrus industry by Hon. 0. ,T. Hawken, Minister of Agriculture. ” EGMONT ELECTORATE. MR. HAWKEN AT OAKURA. REFORM 'CANDIDATE ’,S MEETING. The Hon. O. J. Hawken addressed a largelv attended meeting at Oakura last night when lie was accorded a good rccent-ion and an attentive hearing. Mr H. G. Bell presided.

Mr Hawken’s speech outlined the record of the Government’s activities

during the last, three years, the speaker de'aling* at length with. finance and loans to settler® and (workers, the railway policy, the protective tariffs, and allied subjects.

After answering a few questions', Mr Hawkcn was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, riroved by the chairman, and seconded by Mr W. 'K. Morris. MR WILKINSON’S CAMPAIGN. Since the large meeting at Eltham on Wednesday night last, Mr C. A. Wilkinson hais addressed meetings at Awatuna, Opunake (a.® previously mentioned), and at Rowan, where on Saturday night a small meeting presided over by Mr Wilson concluded the week’s work. During the present week Mr Wilkinson will complete his addresses ait the northern end of the electorate. MR. DICKIE’S ENGAGEMENTS. MEETING'S ON SATURDAY. Mr Dickie spent a busy day in the campaign on Saturday, when he gave addresses at four meeting places. At ten o’clock he was in attendance at Moeroa, there the chairman of the meeting was Mr L. E. Jackson and a vote of thanks and confidence was passed on the motion of Messrs Flyger and Reid. He was at Omoana at one o'clock and Mangamingi at three o’clock. Mr W. Hardwick -Smith presided at the Mangamingi meeting and the vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr P. Brown.

At eight o’clock Mr Dickie addressed another wel 1 . attended meeting at Rawhitiroa. where the chairman was Mr J. Crocker, and the customary motion was recorded by the meeting.