POLITICAL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1940, Page 3

POLITICAL

ADD HESS AT TOWN HALL. J3Y MIL W. A. BODKIN, M.T. i < The Town Ijlall was well iilled last evening when Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.T. lor Otago Central, delivered n political address on behalf of the National Party. The Mayor (Mr 0. A. Perry) presided and briefly introduced the visitor. Mr Bodkin, on rising, was received with applause. He said he was very pleased to be able to visit "Westland, it was the first occasion he had come to this part of New Zealand. He came front Central Otago, where the rainfall was only 11 inches a year, and he envied the West Coast where they measured by feet. Referring to the acceptance of the invitation to visit this district at the invitation of the National Party, he said he did not propose to discuss the actions of the present Government in regard to the war effort. He felt that the whole of the people of New Zealand were right behind the efforts being made, and 1m called oil all to give everything possible. He was going to discuss the social policy of tfio Laoour Government. He said it could not be denied that the policy of the party was purely of a Socialistic nature. He read a statement from Hansard setting ouu the aims of the Labour Party, it was admitted by the Labour Party that it was not possible to enforce the policy that was in force in Russia, as New Zealand was a capitalistic country. Hie would be able to prove that the programme tha was arranged was of a purely socialistic nature. He would prove that the only two countries in the world that were controlled by Commissioners were New Zealand and Germany. He referred to the actions'ot the Transport Commissioner, who hau taken over the businesses of transport owners. He wished to refer to ton points, including the licensing ot industry, the licensing ot imports, the fixation of prices, the control or radio, and Government bv Order-in-Council. Democracy is based on the sacred rights of the individual. It had been me claim or every -British citizen thane had the right of appeal to tlm Courts. )>ut mat right bad been taken away oy the Labour legislation. ’Hie right oi appeal was taken aw.av under the Primary Produce Act. Dm Government nxed the price, and them was ho am>aa]. Tils same right or appeal had been taken away m the small harms Bill. It meant that the individual had no say in the matter, j here was no mail in this world who was big enough to be entrusted with the right to decide the destinies ot the people. Referring to radio control, ,m described the action of the Government; ns that of the worst action of a moaen, tostoiw. ill whk-L only tho views el the Government were allowed to be voices for propaganda of tliy worst description. In the matter ot tax collection the present Minister of finance would hold the undisputed title of being the greatest tax collector New Zealand had ever known. Control A Commissioners.• —They had them on the waterfront, of transport, and on the coalfields control by commissioners. By these means the Government (yore taking away the rights of democracy There was a big difference m Government by a. Government at the will of the people and government from the Cabinet room. References were made to the income of New Zealand in 1929-1932, which had dropped owing to the slump throughout the world. He claimed that though the Coalition Party bad made some mistakes they had been handicapped by a falling revenue which bad in slump years dropped to £35,000,000, while the present _ Government had an income up to £65,003,000, and therefore had many opportunities, but in spite of that they had not made any use of the added money i n assisting those with small incomes. He asked wliat was wrong with New Zealand ? There was 50,000 men serving in the war. Then why should they have an army of unemployed still among them. Income was the only money that could be conscripted. Hie National Party stood 100 per cent for conscription of wealth as well as tor conscription of men, hut in both there should be allowances for key men. The present National Party did not recognise the actions of the old Ooalition'Party. Tljeir party to-day stands for the welfare; of the middle people. Pie claimed that no Labour Govern-, mont in the British Empire did as much for their country as the Coalition Party cliff in the slump of 1929-32. ' There was not a home in New Zealand that was on a smal ; income to-day that can make ends meet, due' to the increased, taxation imposed under the regime of the;"Labour Government. Referring to the National Party, in an appeal for support at the general election next year, Mr Bodkin said they were' out to build a new world. There will be. ifiany changes at the end of the world war. He urged them all to rally round the National Party and assist to establish a Government with a policy truly representative of the best traditions of the country. He asked them to consider the position of their children and ensure their future hv supporting the National Party, instead of allowing the Labour Party to reign, whose whole endeavour was to rule under socialistic ideas. At the conclusion of his address, which lasted a full two hours, the speaker, who was . well received throughout, was Accorded a generous recognition of his address. Mr H. M. Con Ison asked if Mr. Pod kin thought if the Governor-General had acted quite correctly in his reply

to the request, .of the; Farmers’, Cqnfkr-j;C-nc,e not to sign- the Smajl Farm's, Bill, 2 , . Mr Bodkin stated that: the .Governor-: General had been,.quite, correct, ill 'll} action.. . The Government .had,' actq ( d; .constitutionally;,4n jhe passage of: tli/] ■Bill, which had., been - put> ■ (hroijglj, "Parliament in. a constitutional manner and- the , Governor/jGcneral hadoption but. to sinn it.-as.lie had..dope.. AH H. M. Cmdson moved, a-vote; o thanks to the speaker for his interesj;-, ing and -eloencuit address. .This way carried by acclamation., with a few djs, •senting •vx , ’aes> at. the -back of- the hall.. Air Bodkin, thanked those present for their vote,/and the generous recention given him. and moved a vote of thanks .to the Mayor Tor presiding,. This was carried .hv acclimation, ati.d; the meeting terminated at'10.45 pdn.>