ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 31 October 1928, Page 7

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

| PRIME MINISTER’S TOUR. I DIFFICULT PERIOD OVER. I•_ ■ ' CAUSE ENTIRELY ECONOMIC. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NGA.RU AW AM A, Oct. 30. A -crowded house gave an enthusiastic reception to the Prime Minister at the town hall to-night. Mr Coates emphasised that the past three yc'ars had been a 'difficult period. The blame had been laid on the Government and especially an himself. The cause, was entirely economic and not political. ' Difficulties were 'inevitable when the imports had exceeded exports' by £5,000,000. 'The deflation of land values was also proceeding. Now the position had changed. There whs a great, favourable trade balance, and the bank position was £11,000,000 better than a year ago. Production was higher than ever, almost all exports had increased and there- was nvore money 'in the country 'than ever before. A Voice: What are you doing with it? Wh'at about the nine shillings a day ? Mr iGoate's said prosperity was assured as this money worked down into circulation. If the .Government guaranteed standard pay to all unemployed, probably thousands of struggling farmers would be glad to take 15s a day. Every .industry in the country would suffer. Other workers on the borderline would drop their tools and -there would be a race for these job ; s. Mr -Sedd-on had refused to pay arbitration -rates to relief workers. Under unemployment insurance men could demand full wages during idleness. Let them take every possible step to avoid -imposing ion the Government a 'constant burden -of £300,000 to £500,000 per annum for unemployment. Mr Coates said the critics o'f 'the Government questioned immigration and misrepresented t-he position by quoting the total immigration -of people paying their own -passages and nominated -members of separated families as if they were ordinary assisted immigrants. The -Government was urged to cut costs, and where it could it h'ad cut costs. A Voice: 'Cut down the -Prime Minister’s and -Mr Sterling’s salary? Speaking of Mr Sterling,' uMr iCoaies said, “These fellows do not- grow in the garden every day.’’ 'He was sure Mr Sterling would give value for the salary he received. Mf Goates dealt with 'defence,- the railways, the public debt and tariffs on the lines of his Auckland speech. -He claimed credit for the Government in relieving the burden on local rates by passing the Highways Act and imposing the petrol tax. These measures would be a benefit to the motorists and every settler. It was ultimately intended to give further relief by expansion of: the highway system. He urged that children be encouraged to take u-p agricultural education, as the profession was superior to 'other .professions. The Government ‘had brought agricultural education to a higher position than ever before in -the Dominion. Questioned regarding free school books Mr Coates asked if the questioner. would prefer -these to free dental treatmen for school children. An interject or: Have both! Mr Coates: .By all means, when we can afford it. Tie said he -preferred to attend ..first to -the children’s health. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with enthusiasm, the Maoris in the hall performing a h-aka. Cheers were given for -the Premier and rival cheers for Labour. UNITED CANDIDATE FOR MIDCAN TERR CRY. ASHBURTON, Oct. 31. Mr J. Connelly, United Candidate for M-.’d-Ganterbury, addressed -a burgle meeting last night. He advocated the purchase of s-nia-ll areas, cutting them into twenty acre blocks, as a. corrective to the -drift to towns. He also supported the Agricultural Bank proposal. He Was accorded a- vote'of thank-. INDEPENDENT REFORMER. GISBORNE. Oct, 31. Air W. D. Lysnar addressed the electors last night, declaring -himself to be an Independent Reformer. He sa.id that he had always been that, al-so that he had had an opportunity to put the Government out of office in 1926, when it had a majority of oiwy two, but he 1,-opt his pledge and maintained the Government in preference to extreme Labour. He was out mainly to fight extreme Labour. The Reform Pairty was the best in .sight and could best be trusted to take the right course.