HAURAKI SEAT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32312, 13 September 1943, Page 5

HAURAKI SEAT

MR SUTHERLAND SPEAKS GOOD MEETING AT TURUA NATIONAL PARTY POLICY Maintaining that the forthcoming elections would be fought between the National and Labour representatives, Mr A. S. Sutherland, National Party member for Hauraki, addressed a large attendance of electors at the Turua Hall. * Introducing the speaker, Mr H. H. Hicks, chairman of the meeting, gave the history of Mr Sutherland’s many years of public service, and spoke of the way Mr Sutherland had carried out his duties as member since he was elected 18 months ago. The chairman maintained that Mr Sutherland, by his knowledge of public affairs, was well qualified. to continue representing the Hauraki constituency. He then called upon Mr Sutherland to address the meeting. Mr Sutherland opened his address by expressing his pleasure at. meeting so many electors. He proceeded to explain .the policy of the National Party, of which the speaker said the main plank was to win the war. The next important matter facing the country at the present time was manpower. It was becoming more evident every day, said Mr Sutherland, that this country could not maintain such large armed forces overseas and at the same time keep up the large production of its primary industries. Domination of Parliament Considering that the censorship regulations required overhauling and political influence eliminated, the speaker dealt with the control of the present Government by the Federation of Labour, and considered there was far too much domination of Parliament by persons outside Parliament. The speaker then told what happened to “Scrim” after his suspension, when the “big four” outside of Parliament waited on “Scrim” and suggested that he should stay in the movement, as it would be better for him to be looking out than outside looking in. The result was that “Scrim” was reinstated. The National Party believed that such domination should cease, said the speaker. High Taxation

Dealing with the question of high taxation of £53 4s 5d per head in. this country, which he mainted had reached its ■ limit, Mr Sutherland thought that every effort should be made to have it more equitably spread and reduced. Regarding superannuates, the National [Party considered that they should be- tax-free for the first £l6O. This would bring- them on the same basis as the age benefactors. When speaking on broadcasting, Mr Sutherland said the service had suffered because it had been used for political purposes. When the National Party became the Government it would set about to rectify this injustice. Housing The question of housing was also dealt with by Mr Sutherland, who maintained that every opportunity should be given to the tenants of State houses to own- their own homes. When the men returned from the war there would be many requiring homes. The National Party considered that if we can train men for the intricate work of the Army and make them efficient in 18 months, then surely men could be trained to become expert carpenters in almost the same time. The average rental for a Government house was about 30s a week. The National 'Party would institute a scheme whereby tenants could arrange to buy the houses they were living in at the same weekly payment. Rehabilitation Regarding rehabilitation, Mr Sutherland said 1 the 'government had appointed Majoi- Skinner as 'Minister of Rehabilitation, and the National Party considered the appointment a good one. They had also appointed Mr Moohan as Director of Rehabilitation, but in the opinion of many members of the House, Mr Moohan was far too busy a man to give the position the attention it required. “The National Party, when it became the Government, would immediately abolish the Internal Marketing ing Department,” said Mr Sutherland. “Since it was inaugurated it had proved a costly and useless department of Almost every article of consumption it had commandeered had become dearer, poorer in quality, and less in quantity. We of the Na- \ tionsl 'Party therefore consider it should be abolished,” said the speaker. Contentious Matters I The speaker then dealt with the I matters recently brought down in » - %

Parliament. He maintained that there were far too many contentious matters introduced. Since this Parliament had been in power, 344 Acts were brought before the House and after discussion were passed. There were also 1705 orders-in-council put through, many of them of a contentious nature, and the National Party maintained that this form of putting legislation on the Statute Book should cease. After dealing with a number of other matters, including the broken promises of the Labour Government, Mr Sutherland concluded by asking all present to vote on election day and vote Sutherland as the representative of the Hauraki electorate. (Applause). Reduction of Debt In reply to a question by Mr J. C. Miller, Jnr., as to how the National Party proposed to reduce the national debt, Mi* Sutherland stated that it would set up a non-political currency control commission to deal with the matter. The party would continue t» control the Reserve Bank. There being no further questions, Mr iP. Henry moved and Mr R. Baker seconded, that, thanks he accorded to the speaker and the meeting confirm its confidence in the National Party. The motion was carried unanimously.