ON THE HUSTINGS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2805, 25 November 1931, Page 5

ON THE HUSTINGS.

o CANDIDATES’ MEETING. Mr A. M. Samuel, Coalition candidate, visited the Coromandel Peninsula last week. He spoke to large and enthusiastic audiences at Mercury Bay on Wednesday, and at. Coromandel on Thursday. In the main his addresses followed the lines of his opening speech at Rikutaia, the variations being to deal with matters of particular local interest. Mining. At Coromandel he dealt at length with the mining industry, and promised to do everything in his power to assist the industry. He would naturally be assisted materially in this direction by the gratifying returns from the recent crushing of quartz. The systematic plan of sending out prospecting parties gave indications of the revival of a mining boom in the Peninsula. Mr Samuel was asked whether he would favour an amendment to the Mining Act, providing that if prospectors found alluvial gold or quartz in original country they be allowed the use of ten acres, free of rent for three years. In reply, Mr Samuel said that provided a man worked the property the Crown would give him every assistance. Dealing at Mercury Bay with the subject of mining, Mr Samuel said that as Mr Montgomerie had made reference to his (the candidate’s) attitude on the matter, he would say unhesitatingly tfhat (lie had always done his utmost to bring about an improvement in the industry. On receipt of a telegram from the Waihi Gold Mining Co., Ltd., concerning the proposal to increase 'the amount of income tax payable by the company by £14,500, he had fought the proposal very strenuously, not for the sake of the mining company, but for the people of Waihi, whose living depended upon the work provided by the mine, and also to protect the industry and preserve the incentive to investors to provide capital for mining propositions.

QUESTIONS AT WHITIANGA. Asked at his Mercury Bay meeting by Mr J. G. Browne as to how he could reconcile his position with regard to voting a retiring allowance of £6OO to Mr J. B. Thompson. Under Secretary of Lands, Mr Samuel said that it had been the practice in the Civil Service that when an officer retired he was entitled to six months’ salary on full pay. Mr Browne did not think the question was answered. If a civil ».crvant was entitled to it, why was necessary for Parliament to pass i vote to that effect. Mr Browne also asked why. as an economist, did he vote some £3OO or ‘‘■’oo to Mr Sterling in those depressed times ? Mr Samuel, in reply, pointed out that Mr Sterling had voluntarily reduced his own salary by £6OO, To another question Mr Samuel said that he had always advocated the reciprocity of old age pensions, with England and Australia. The matter of meat trusts operating in New Zealand had been discussed in Parliament, and it had been decided that no further facilities would be granted overseas works in competition with farmers' freezing works. At Coromandel Mr Samuel was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, and at Mercury Bay a vote of thanks.

COALITION AT NETHERTON. Last evening at Netherton, Mr A. M. Samuel, Coalition candidate for the Thames electorate, addressed a crowded meeting in the Netherton Hall. He dealt exhaustively with the Rivers’ Improvement Scheme, and land drainage generally throughout the district His address covered much the same ground ns at former meetings, and nt the conclusion he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and of continued confidence. This morning h? passed through Paeroa to Waihi, where he will continue his activities. Mr Samuel speaks nt Kcrepeehi on Friday and at Paeroa on Satin day evening.