POLITICAL MEETING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1937, Page 4

POLITICAL MEETING.

MR C, L. HUNTER AT FEILDING. An address to the electors in Feilding was given by Mr C. L. Hunter, M.P., last evening. Mr Ernest Fair presided in the absence of the Mayor (Air T. Collins). The Alajestic Theatre was comfortably filled, and at the conclusion of his address, which lasted over two hours, Air Hunter was accorded a vote of thanks coupled with a vote of confidence in the party he represents. A vote of thanks was also accorded the chaiman.

Air Fair, before introducing Air Hunter said that the' member fur Alanawatu was shortly to become a resident of Feilding, probably early in the new year. Air Hunter explained that in the re-shuffle of electorates Oroua had become ■ part of the Alanawatu, and his reason for coming to Feilding 10 live was to enable him to be in closer touch with the electorate he represents, and to attend to its requirements more readily. The speaker emphatically denied that there had been a “Left Wing” revolt” in the Labour ranks, and stated that the rumour was vcseless. Such rumours could be expected in the next few months. The Opposition, of course, would like to see a break, but the Labour Party was well knit and there was no chance of a break-away. Continuing, Mr Hunter referred to what he termed a fear complex in the minds of some people regarding alleged Communistic tendencies on the part of the Government. Progress, he oaia, had been mistaken for Communism.

“Why did Air Nash go to Russia?” asked a voice.

In reply, Mr Hunter said that he .was concerned with New Zealand, and that other countries could look after themselves. Personally, he would like to go to Russia for education. Referring to the National Party’s personnel, the speaker said than iu was still the old group under a new name, and comprised the same men as those who controlled the country in. the 1931-35 period. Air Hunter went on to deal with hardships suffered during that period. Touching on unemployment, Mr Hunter stated that of the 14,000 at present unemployed 8499 were unfit, and that armv of unfortunates had to be provided for. The Government was facing up to that responsibility. Every country had its quota of the unfit, and there was no shame in the Government providing for that section. Early next session the national health insurance and superannuation measures would be passed ; the latter, in effect, would make provision for aged workers displaced by machinery.

Fifty thousand farmers were on the verge of bankruptcy, Rtt Hon. J. G. Coates had stated and that statement was true, said Air Hunter. They were tied up' to stock and station firms and the banks, but the Government now in power had helped them. The guaranteed price system had been inaugurated because the Government realised that the farmer had to be saved from exploitation. “To-day we give the farmer a stabilised market price and the farmer knows at the beginning of the season what he is going to get for that season,” the speaker added. Furthermore, over half a million pounds of farm mortgage liability had been written off by the Adjustment Commissions set up. Guaranteed prices might be inaugurated for the wool growers, some having already asked for such a system. Finance for the guaranteed prices would be arranged through the operation of the Reserve Bank. The people of New Zealand owned the credit and currency of New Zealand, and were not being dictated to by financial magnates now. As long as the Government did not get ahead of the value of the production in New Zealand in currency and credit, there could be no inflation. The whole of the people producing wealth and assets in New Zealand were behind the Reserve Bank. Air Hunter also dealt with public works being carried on at present and stated that despite the payment of higher wages the work was being done, at prices lower than hitherto known in New Zealand. “We are the local bodies’ friends and not their enemies,” said Air Hunter, who added that the Government had relieved them of 4000 miles of highways and had offered them cheap money to build houses for their employees. Three to six times the present amount of State houses building would be done if the Government could get the tradesmen required. Private building operations had not been hampered) In fact, more money was being lent them than previously by the former Government for private buildings, and even then private enterprise could catch up on the acute shortage of houses. There were several million pounds lying ready to be used for housing purposes. There had been suggested that the Government would shortly own everything, if returned to power, but the speaker said the Government could control everything now if it desired without contesting or risking an election. It could do the same as the former Government and vote itself a further term. Since the present Government took office savings bank deposits had increased appreciably, and radio licenses had shown an increase of 49,000 last year. A phenomenal' increase in the number of labour-saving devices had been recorded. Air Hunter dealt with what he termed the liberal treatment shown B class radio station owners in respect of the purchase of their stations by the Government. Concluding, the speaker contended that the twelve main points in Labour’s election campaign had been given effect to. Replving to questions, Mr Hunter said that the exchange was a legacy handed to the Government by its predecessor and it was a fairly difficult problem to handle. He could not say if the Government was going to abolish the sales tax before the next election came round.

Archdeacon J. R. Young, of Wanganui, will address the pupils of the Feilding Agricultural High School at the annual prizegiving ceremony.