COMING ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1935, Page 6

COMING ELECTIONS

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER

WELLINGTON January 10,

The appointment of three members of the Executive Commission of Agriculture' and the members of the reconstituted Hairy Board will be one of the main tasks ahead of the Cabinet when it reassembles in Wellington this week. The Prime Minister repeated his earlier assurance that the Government intended to announce the appointments soon. He said that Ministers had been making the most of their short holiday and that nothing definite had been decided yet. The Executive Commission of Agriculture to be established under the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act of last year, will consist of three members and the Minister for Agriculture, who will act as chairman. At least two of the members shall have been actively engaged as producers in some branch of primary production, in the manufacture and marketing of primary products, or in some commercial or other undertaking closely associated with the production, manufacture, export, f)r marketing of primary products. Parliament will be asked to deal with other dairy industry legislation when it reassembles in February, but this legislation, based like the previous act on the recommendations of the Hairy Industry Commission, will be concerned mainly with regulations and machinery for carrying them into effect. The principal work of the session, of course, will be the establishment of the national mortgage corporation, which has (already been described by the Government.

Mr. Forbes said that when Parliament resumes next month the business will be confined to important measures only. The sitting will be regarded as a special session than as the final days of the 1934 session. Minor bills would have to wait until the main 1935 session.

At present, said Mr Forbes, the only important- matter in view was the proposal regarding mortgage finance, and it was probable that it would be the main subject for consideration by members.

The Government had not considered sending a Minister to England for the Royal Jubilee and the informal Empire conferences to be held at that time. There was no need, anyway, to trouble about it until March. Mr Forbes said it was probable that a fairlv large section of the public would be disappointed at the delay of the Gaming Amendment Bill and the Bible-in-Schools Bill, but on the other hand a number of dog owners would be pleased to learn that the Alsatian Bill would be postponed indefinitely.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLLS

PROBABLE HATE IN APRIL,

SYDNEY, January 10. The New South Wales general election will probably be held in April. The date has not been definitely determined by those in control of the State branch of the United Australia Party and United Country Party, but it is generally accepted by well-informed political observers that the elections will be held in that month.

Ministerialists say they are confident of victory. Their two parties hold fio seats out of' the 90 in tlie Legislative • Assembly. A few seats, which have, always been regarded as strongholds of Labour, and which were lost by the Labour Party at the last elections in the landslide against the Lang Government, may revert to Labour, but Government members express the belief that the Minister will be returned with a strong majority. The Government, if returned, will continue its present policy of stimulating .employment. Ministers contend that the internal reorganisation which has been carried out during the last two and a-lialf years will stand the State in good stead, even if world conditions prove unfavourable to Australia during the coming year or two. The Government’s main objective has been to create a maximum of real business activity, budget improvement, the stimulation of industry, and the elimination of unemployment. In this direction, the Premier and his colleagues claim .that they achieved considerable success. The deficit in 1931-32, when the present Ministry came into office, was £14,200,000. Tn the next year- it was reduced to £3.700,000, and in the financial year ended on June 30 last the deficit was further reduced to £3,200.000. The estimated deficit for the present year is £2, 900,000. Ministers express the belief that if the Government is successful at the elections the budget will reach equilibrium in the next financial year. - j

Cabinet Ministers say they are pleased with the improved economic position, and the resultant decrease in unemployment. The number of registered unemployed is steadily decreasing, and is now less than 85,00 including those engaged on unemployment relief works, as compared with 115,000 12 months

ago. The campaign of the Lang Party has already unofficially begun, and in various electorates Lang Party candidates have made extensive preparations. Although in previous elections, Air Lang has refrained from making public appearance until he delivers liis policy speech, on this occasion he has been the central figure at a number of campaign rallies in the city and country. The rallies have taken the form of social gatherings. The purpose, of Hie functions is to arouse interest in the campaign, and to provide a rallying point for Labour supporters. It was stated lately that they had become necessary because league members had

had become disappointed and disheartened owing to the unprecedented series of Lang Party reverses. Great care has been taken by Mr. Lang and his advisers not to give the slightest hint of policy. Mr Lang’s speeches have been mostly based on generalities, and appeals for enthusiasm and confidence.