PALMERSTON ELECTORATE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 285, 30 October 1928, Page 2

PALMERSTON ELECTORATE.

REFORM MEMBER’S ADDRESS. ACHIEVEMENTS OP GOVERNMENT. Maintaining that the Reform Party was as solid as ever, and expressing confidence in the result of the election issue, Mr-J. A. Nash; official Reform candidate for the Palmerston electorate, delivered a political address to an exceptionally large audience in the Opera House last night. Mr Nash recounted the achievements of the Reform Administration and entered into an extensive survey of the financial position, making comparative statements on taxation and expenditure. The speaker was subjected to a considerable amount of heckling from, the opposition element in the audience, but he replied spiritedly to the interjectors. A vote of confidence was passed with acclamation, though there was opposition from a small section of the audience.

“ONLY TWO PARTIES.”

It was ten years, said Mr Nash, since he was elected as member for the district and during that time he had faced four elections. It had been gratifying to know that on every occasion his majority had increased, the number at the last election being 3240. Only two parties had to be considered in thee present issue. During the late Mr Seddon’s political life, he had had the following of Labour, but of late years, and rightly so, Labour had carried its own political banner, leaving the once great Liberal Party stranded in the middle of the road. The same thing had happened in the Old Country. The Liberals there were very much in the minority and in this contest the fight would be between Reform and Labour. The new party, formerly Liberal, then National and now United, was trying to resuscitate the old Liberal spirit. When it was formed with a great flourish of trumpets, it was stated that it was cbpiposed of all classes of members, including a largo number of Reformers, but lie could not find a single one in its ranks, and every vote to the United Party would help Labour. At the eleventh hour the United Party were fortunate enough to secure the services of Sir Josenh Ward as their leader and the policy, had been liberated. Strangely enough, continued Mr Nash, the Reform Party had been abused for excessive borrowing. A voice : Quite right, too ? PROPOSALS NOT IDENTICAL.

| A PERSISTENT INTERJECTOR. ! | . The address was suspended for a few ; minutes when a demand was made by ; j a member of the audience that a per- ;; sistent interjector be removed, amid | cries of “Keen-quiet,” “Put him out,” I etc. After this tho interjector became I silent. ' ' || “In 1912 the annual grant for edul cational purposes was £1,133.000,” Mr ; i N ash continued. “Under the Reform i Government the vale has increased so ;! rnpidly that in 1927-28. the amount ex- ! pended was £3,756.300. being an in- ! crease from 21s 5d to 52s Id per head , ! of the population. New schools are ,i being erected all over the Dominion, I and in passing let me say that I think !we have fared very well here. - It is j interesting to note that per head of ; the population New Zealand expendij ture on education is greater than in I any -other British State or country. II have always taken a keen interest in education matters, and believe in the | State' providing only the best possible j education for the children of our country; indeed. I would go so far as to make it possible for children of humble parents to be able to. reach the university. The teachers have always , had a warm supporter in myself. I realise their responsibilities and I do I neb- hesitate to say that the present salaries of the higher grades are not , commensurate with the work the teachers do. “Speaking of pensions,’ said the candidate, “the amount paid for old age pensions from 1899 to 1912. a period of 13 years, was £3.556,633, some 16,649 people receiving an aver- . ago payment of £25 per annum. Under Reform, taking the period from 1921 to 1923, spine £6,659.906 was paid to 24,000 pensioners, or an average of £42 1 per annum. Under the Gov- ’ eminent the age was fixed at 65 and the pension at 10s a week. Under Reform the age of women was reduced ; to 60, and thepension'increased to I7s 6d a week. lam confident the Government will increase the old age pension. “The Government is to be commended for its Family Allowance Act, for those earning up to £4 per week, an allowance is made of 2s per week for each chikl after the first two. This absorbed £38,000 last year. There has been a substantial benefit in the case of large families, but in riiy opin--1 ion the sum can be increased., Under tho Liberal administration, a widows’ pension commenced at £l2 per annum, 1 while to-day under: Reform,: with the first child, it begins at £52 per annum, ! with £26 for each additional child. The ’ amount paid per annum under the Liberal Administration was £1963, and under Reform £302.765. The total amount paid out under Reform is £2,322,903. Our soldiers’ pensions are recognised as being the highest in the British Empire. (A voice: Rot). Tho Maori War pension was introduced by the Reform Government, and the same can be said in regard to pensions for the blind. Other pensions havo also been liberalised by the Government. TAXATION REDUCED.

Sir Joseph, proceeded Mr Nash advocated borrowing £70,000,000 and that alone would kill the prospects of the United Party. . It made the general taxpayer sit up and take notice. Sir Joseph Ward now said that his criticism of Reform borrowing and his loan proposals were not identical, but, nevertheless, the latter, if adopted, would add £70,000,000 to the public debt. A member of the audience who had persistently interjected advised the speaker t-5 “Look out for Ward.” “The welfare of the workers has been one of the special feature of the Reform Party,”" added Mr Nash (ironical laughter from a section of the audience). “It is the only Government in the world making an advance of 95 per cent to enable* people to secure their own homes. When Mr Massey brought down his proposals, it was considered that he had gone too far, but events had proved his policy to be sane and wise. Since taking over the reins of Government, nearly £12,000,COO ha« been provided by the Reform Party for workers* homes, a record of which any Government might feel proud, and to show that it Ls not relaxing its efforts in this connection no less than £4,714,422 was provided in 1926-27. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. “The Advances to Settlers’ branch has, since Reform came into power, advanced a sum of £22,749.416 to help the farmers, and nearly £3,000,000 of this amount on rural security during the past year. These figures sliow conclusively that the Government has been mindful of the needs of the workers and the farming community. . I have always held that if you establish a worker in his own homo he becomes a far more contented and better citizen. I have contcnded'in Parliament that if the State Advances Office were allowed to take money, on deposit for their work, it would simply flow into the office, investors would know that they had an absolute safe investment, and, further the office would always havo a plentiful supply of money.” Voices: AVhere is it coming from? “The Reform policy is very different from the usehold policy of the Labour Party,” continued Mr Nash. “They propose to take over all land at Government valuation ; .under Reform the worker who improves his property is not deniod the right to sell and make all. ho can. This has been the case with a good many; they have made a good, profit, and I say good luck to them. You havo only to make a comparison of the houses built for workers under the Liberal and the Reform administrations. To-day the houses are of the latest type, bright and cheerful and a credit to the workers of the Dominion.

“The lat© Mr Massey always held the opinion that heavy, taxation retarded the country’s progress. Ho made promises during the war that he would reduce the taxation, and he did so. Tho present Government, in a short space of time, has further ed the annual payments by £276,000, and if wo go back to 1920 we find the total remissions to lie £4,026,000, and the Government-had no help from tho Labour Party in this connection. Income tax has been reduced from 8d to 7d, the mortgage duties from 5s per £IOO to a flat rate of 2s 6d. and in respect to discharges from 12s 6d to 2s 6d. Reductions in Customs duties amount to £200,000. It is impossible to do everything at once, but if the country continues to prosper as it is doing at present, there can be no doubt further concessions will be made.” Quoting from a comparative statement showing the amount of income tax paid in New Zealand, the Australian States and Great Britain on selected incomes up to £IO,OOO per annum, Mr Nash stated, that this Dominion compared very favourably and was lower in every respect in the smaller class, as well a 6 in tho larger, in nearly every case. Most of the Australian States were under a Labour Government and that accounted for tho high rates. LAND SETTLEMENT QUESTION. “Our opponents argue that land settlement is dead, and people'aro not being placed on tho land,” said the speaker. “It must not be forgotten that the great boom in land in 1919 and 1920 has been responsible for many farmers not being able to carry, on. At that time butter-fat had reached 2s 8d per lb, but it suddenly fell until only ls 3d to ls 4d was obtainable. These low prices made it impossible for the small farmer to meet his obligations, but, happily the price to-day has advanced to Is 6d to Is 7d. Beef fell nearly, to half on the Home marr ket, and a heavy drop occurred in the price of mutton. These were some of tho factors responsible for people leaving the land. We are constantly reminded of the £17,000,000, left by Sir Joseph when ho retired as Finance Minister from the National Cabinet. Thirteen millions of the surplus was used to place soldiers on the land. No doubt mistakes were mado, and high prices paid for land, but no Government could stand up against th© demands of the people to help the soldier farmers. The amount advanced by the Government to repatriate the soldiers was £31,331,947. When tho boom burst, revaluations had to be made and £3,375,000 was written off to help the soldiers. I think the Government must bo given credit for giving every man who is a trier a chance. (Hear! Hearl). Without detailing all the Government has done in regard • to the purchase of land for settlement, selection of Crown lands on all tenures, education endowments, and deteriorated lands, if it did nothing more than, grant the freehold then it did a' great service to the farming community of New Zealand., (Applause).

“There is a class which appreciates that and records its thanks at the election,’ replied Mr Nash to a further attempt to interject. ■ / “A good deal of capital is being made by the Labour Party in reference to the increased rate of interest.” continued Mr Nash. “When money was cheap it was advanced ait 4f per oent, but the war changed everything and the Government has to pay more on tho Home market. The worker is being charged 5J per cent and I personally. have never heard one complaint from a worker wanting a loan. RURAL INTERMEDIATE CREDITS. Discussing the Rural Intermediate Credits Act, Mr Nash said that, under this measure, already a largo sum of money has been loaned to the farmers of New Zealand. Associations consisting of not less than 20 farmers could bo formed to take up 25 £1 shares, or it was possible to obtain a loan with a 20 per cent guarantee. These associations were becoming very popular, and already 17 have been formed in New Zealand. Stock and station agents were also taking advantage of the Act. The presence of leading farmers on the various boards was in itself a guarantee that applications would receive favourable consideration. “I do not hesitate to say,” continued tho candidate, “that it can fairly be claimed by the Government thnt every consideration is being shown to the sick and afflicted. .The subsidies paid to hospitals have increased during tho past five years from £633,267 to £850,499. It is tru,o of course, that the taxpayer has to find the money, but I maintain that we have our obligations to perform if we want a healthy, happy, and contented people. Tho Minister and Director-General of Health are both determined to have maternity hospitals erected everywhere in the Dominion. The one recently erected here is not only a-credit to the town, but is highly appreciated. Tho coot to- the ratepayers in this electorate was only about £300.”

DAIRY CONTROL. “Some of you will remember my opposition to the Dairy Control Board. The Act contained a compulsory clause giving the board the right to assume control of the farmers’ produce,

and I did my best to have that clause ‘removed, as there was always the danger that it would bo put into operation. Unfortunately it was and it meant disaster to the dairy farmer. The moment compulsion was enforced, the Horn© merchants looked elsewhere for supplies, with the result that the price and quantity of Siberian and Argentine butter began to range alongside that of the New Zealand product.”

A voice: Brought about by a system which you stand for. “If you mean the competitive system. it is the only wav for the farmer to obtain the highest possible price.” retorted Mr Nash. “I pleaded in the House with the Government to stop action being, taken until the Prime Minister who was going to the Imperial Conference had time to investigate tho matter, but nothing was done; I moyed five amendments to the bill, but these were "defeated.. However, when Mr Coates reached London, he soon discovered the position of the market, and immediately cabled to the Dairy Control Board.. But they carried on. until the pressure became so gj-eat at this end that they were even r tually compelled . .to abandon their policy. What it cost the farmers for that year will never be known. The cost of running the board is far too high, and tho membership could be reduced.”' WORK OF GOVERNMENT. Mr Nash then traced the work being done by the Government for the health of school children. In 1927 some 1137 schools were inspected and 108,000 children examiped. Areas where goitre was in evidence had been mapped out and preventive and curative treatment for goitre in schools firmly established. Children likely to become victims of tuberculosis had been kept under special care and supervision. The Plunket work had been greatly, encouraged and the - Department of Health paid £15,120 yearly towards the salary of the nurses. The total grant made to the society last year was £24.911. Rapid progress had been made with the Division of Dental Hygiene since its inception in; 1920 to provide free dental treatment',, for school children. About 55,000 were under treatment, representing an increase of 25,000 since 1925, and the Government was determined to enlarge the service.

The speaker referred briefly to the introduction of tile Third Party Risk Bill made law last session. It would, he said, considerably reduce the present premiums paid for accidents. Last year an industrial conference was arranged. Labour being represented on the Parliamentary committees. A lot of good eventuated and agreements were arrived at concerning immigration. workers’ compensation and unemployment. but 'nothing was done in regard to the main ouestion of arbitration. which would be deal'i* with when the conference sat again this year. Tho daylight saving measure would be considered again next session. Personally, the speaker had always supported it. and believed that when people became accustomed to it, it 1 would be a permanent arrangement. The events leading up to the trouble in Samoa were recounted by Mr Nash, who condemned the attitude of Mr 0." F. Nelson and the traders who fostered the movement for tho illegal Man, which had bred discontent among the natives.

LABOUR PARTY CRITICISED. The candidate, proceeding to criticise the Labour Party, said that its typed manifesto was on analysis, vastly different in its aspect from that of the printed official platform. In a vigorous denunciation he quoted several clauses as indicative of a difference in. meaning,, though to. the unwary they were apparently of the same character. The manifesto, ' he said, read “National Health Insurance,” but; the . official platform . stated “nationalisation of the medical-ser-vices, with free medical;- dental -and maternity attention.” Even supposing Labour ever occupied the' Treasury benches, would it comply with tho terms of the typed manifesto or the official printed platform? A leopard could not change its spots and the public could rest assured that, given the power, the Labour Partv would put the official printed • platform into operation. “Can the extreme Labour Party deny that Communists attend their conferences?” asked Mr Nash. “The proletariat Sunday schools have ten commandments. Some of them are : Thou slialt not be a patriot; thou slialt teach revolution; thou slialt wage class war.

A voice: Rot. The speaker then criticised the statements of members of the. Labour Party.

LABOUR ELEMENT BUSY. “In which part of. Hansard i s it reported that Labour is part and parcel of tho Russian Soviet?” challenged a member of tho audience. Mr Nash: I did not say that was said in Parliament, but what I say is correct and I am prepared to substantiate it. As soon as it became of official opposition, said Mr Nash, Labour applied the soft pedal, but everything was there beneath the surface. A voice: You have extremists in your party and worse. “What about tho Sunday school run in Palmerston North?” challenged Mr Nash. A Voice: Not by the Labour Party. Mr Nash: How quickly you fellows disown your own. QUESTIONS TO CANDIDATE. “Why is Mr Coates so quiet about tho returned soldiei'S this election?” Mr Nash was asked, and he replied that the Prime Minister had put into execution all his promises to the returned soldiers. None knew that better than those who had received the benefits, and Mr Coates had stated that a good deal yet remained to be done. “What wages were tho Liberal Partv paying to surfacemen in New Zealand when it crumbled to pieces ?’•’ A Voice: Half a crown a day- and soup. • The candidate replied that he believed it was 9s or ; 10s a day. “In-view of the fact that the cost of living is now on a par with that of 1920. wo contend that the Government should restore the salary cute -then made. Would you support that?” Mr Nash: I am a supporter of the Reform Party. (Voices: Wo know it). I will not support Labour or any amendment. (Voices: What.about the happy medium). If I sm elected I am prepared to do everything possible to increase salaries in not only the Public Service, but the telegraph and other departments of State. I will not, however, support Mr Holland on any amendment whatever. “If prohibition is carried in this electorate, aro you prepared to support the wish of your electorate in Parliament?” .' “I suppose I had better answer that in a general way,” said Mr Nash amid laughter. “That lias no bearing on tne question whatever. In future.l will not sign any pledge, but will act according to my conscience. The candidate undertook to endeavour to amend the legislation requiring old people to have to go to the Courthouse to collect pensions, and said that, in company with other measures of a similar nature, lie would support tho granting of pensions to chronic invalids. “If Sir Joseph Ward is such a blind financier, why did Reform make him Finance Minister during the war?’.’ — The obvious answer, sam the speaker, was that there was then a Coalition Government, and in the light of his previous experience, Sir Joseph was

the best man available for the portfolio. The candidate said that personally ho had a great admiration, for Sir Joseph, and never spoke of him disparagingly. V " In reply to fyrther questions, Mr Nash said he favoured the si/b-division of education leases for the erection ot homes, while he thought he could be depended upon to watch the interests of those concerned with the present rating system on farm lands in the boroughs. The speaker thanked the Labour element for the good hearing they had given him and congratulated them on their good behaviour (loud laughter from the back). A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with acclamation, there being a dissenting element. Mr A. E. Bennett presided over the meeting. MANAWATU SEAT. Mr P. J. Small, the United Party candidate for the Manawatu seat, received an excellent reception at Linton last night. His speech was a criticism of the Reform Party arid exposition of the United Party’s policy. The chairman was Mr M. A, Moody. A well attended meeting in support of the candidature of Mr J. Linklater was held in the Bainesse School last evening. Mr H. Bond presided. It was unanimously decided to form themselves into a committee to- further M* Linklater’s candidature. Several important matters were discussed and plans were made to assist the candidate wherever possible.—Bainesse correspondent. Speaking on the lines of his previous address, Mr J. Linklater, official Reform candidate for Manawatu, addressed the electors at Sanson last evening and received a good hearing. At the conclusion of the address several questions were asked, and a vote of confidence and thanks passed to the speaker. POLITICAL MEETINGS. Candidates will address .tho electors on Wednesday evening as follow :—-Mr P. J. Small (United PartV), at Grentford; Mr 11. J. McManaway (Independent Reform) at Levin. Meetings commence at 8 o’clock. Mr J. G. Eliott (Official Reform) will speak in tho Waiata School cn Wednesday at 6.45 p.m. and in the Colyton Hall at 8.15 p.m. Mr C. A. Loughnan, United Party candidate, ' will address the electors in the Opera House to-night. Mr W. A. Veitch, M.P., for Wanganui will also speak. The chair will be taken by His \vorehip the Mayor at 8 o’clock sharp. OROUA ELECTORATE. tn continuation of his campaign, Mr Gordon Eliott (Reform candidate) addressed two meetings on Monday. In the afternoon at Putorino, practically every soldier settler was present, and gave the candidate a good hearingj Mr Eliott was bombarded with questions, comprising principally personal grievances. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr I. Gibbs, who stated the grievances were against the department and not against Mr Eliott, whom the speaker considered had done everything possible as far as ho was personally able. Mr G. Harr presided. At Rata in the evening, there was a good attendance and the candidate was given a good reception, whilst at the conclusion very few questions were asked. Mr Eliott dealt with Bible-in-schools, licensing,.and general political questions, and at tho conclusion a. hearty vote of thanks was carried. Mr Lloyd Hammond was chairman.

PRIME MINISTER IN. AUCKLAND,

‘■L Pert-Press Association. •AUCKLAND, Oct. 29. The Town Hall to-night was filled long before the' appointed time when an audience of over 3000, and a large overflow gathering outside, listened to the Prime Minister’s speech as reproduced through loudspeakers. When Mr Coates entered the hall he was greeted with loud applause mixed with loud hooting, which was renewed after the singing of the National Anthem.

Mr Coates began his speech by expressing regret at the indisposition of Sir Joseph Ward, and the hope that he would soon be restored to health, so that he could again enter the political battle. Dealing with some local matters, he announced that , arrangements were being made to expedite the commencement of the new northern railway outlet, and the Government had decided to set apart Motuihi Island in Auckland Harbour as a public park under a local board of control, retaining for the quarantine station now on the island only sufficient land for its actual needs. The Prime Minister made reference to the Arapuni allegations, which is reported in another column. , Mr Coates dealt with the United and Labour Parties on the lines of previous addresses, and outlined the Government’s actions in the past three years, and proposals for the future, particularly land settlement, which would be worked up to a million a year. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with cheers, followed by a counter demonstration. This afternoon Mr Coates addressed a meeting of women, when two Reform women candidates, Miss Melville and Mrs Maguire, were present. He will be in Auckland province for the rest of the week. SIR JOSEPH WARD’S SUPPORTERS. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Oct. 29. “One of the most enthusiastic meetings ever held in Invercargill,’ was the verdict of those attending a meeting of Sir Joseph Ward’s friends and supporters held on Saturday evening. An informative address by Mr R. Masters was splendidly received and a general committee of over 200 was formed. The following motion, to which many spoke enthusiastically, was unanimously carried: “That supporters and friends of Sir Joseph Ward in Invercargill, having the utmost confidence on the Dominion campaign,' hereby in him and realising, the necessity of the leader being freed from his electorate during the election period in order that he may bo enabled to concentrate oil tho Dominion campaigrt, hereby pledge themselves to secure his return .and,.-urge him not to concern himself With the local situation. ‘All is well,’ is the message from his devoted supporters.” LAND SETTLEMENT. Per Press Association. STRATFORD, Oct. 29. Speaking at Whangamomona, Mr W. J. Pokon (Independent) stated that the Hon. A. D. McLeod “still continues to misrepresent my land settlement figures. Following Reform’s usual methods, he asserts that I declared that 1,000,000 acres per annum were going back to fern and second growth. Thp reports in the local papers show clearly that what I said was that in spite of the stepping down of classification by the Government, the Year Book figures for the last five years show beyond doubt that 100,000 acres per annum are going back, and not 1,000,000 acres.”