GENERAL ELECTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1433, 5 December 1919, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTION.

Mr Nash Speaks. A DULL RECOUXTAL OF THE VIRTUES OF REFORM. t The 1 Opera House was crowded to the doors last night, when Mr J. A. Nash met his constituents and gave an account of his brief stewardship. Mr P. A. McHardy presided. Mr Nash stated that it was jiist a year since his return to Parliament. He had found customs prevailing in Parliament which did not obtain in local bodies. There was an unwritten law providing that a new member shall not speak more than two or three times during his first session, and, unfortunately, he had been there only one session. However, no had spoken on several occasions when Bills of importance were under discussion, and he had put in questions referring to the affairs of this town and district. The session had been short, but the hours long, and much good work had been accomplished. The' Liberals had retired from the National Government, and had left Mr Massey to carry on the Government, and, although unprepared, it was satisfactory to note that much good legislation had been passed. PRICE OF BACON. Mr Nash referred to a pamphlet that was being distributed at the door by the Labour Party, which quoted “Hansard” in support of its allegation that Mr Nash was lighting for profiteers, and desirous of increasing the cost of living. “If this is all they can urge against me,” he said, waving the pamphlet (Cheers, chorus of questions and yells.) Mr Nash explained that the big bacon companies, who dealt also in by-products, were making a profit, but the small companies were being crushed out of existence by the restrictions imposed, and in asking relief it was with the object of assisting the small man. There was too big a margin between the wholesale and retail prices, and it was the wholesale price he wanted to see increased, not the retail price. If the large companies were allowed to mop up the small ones, it would be a serious thing for the farmers when the restrictions were removed. MORTGAGE EXTENSION ACT.

Parliament had met within three days of the expiration of the Mortgage Extension Act. Now a mortgagee had to serve two months’ notice on the mortgagor, and if the mortgagor declined to pay, it would be necessary to prove in a court of law that the mortgagor was able to pay the amount before an order enforcing payment could be made.

HOUSING BILL. Both the Liberal and Labour members joined in congratulating Mr Massey on this measure. A voice: They were a long time waking up! Mr Nash: Yes, but under the compact the National Government could not deal with any contentious matters, but had to coniine themselves to winning the war. (Laughter and interjections.) A voice: That’s you all over, Jimmy! Mr Nash stated that a person requiring a house under the Government scheme was entitled to have one provided his income did not exceed £355 per annum. The houses would be built of wood and brick, at a respective cost of £750 and £BSO, the terms being 26?. years for wooden structures, and 36? years for those in brick. The purchaser was required to put down a deposit of £lO only, and it was estimated that the rent would be from 13/6 to 15/6 a week. One portion of the Act specifically prohibited trafllcking. Should a purchaser desire to relinquish his house, he would receive a refund, and be paid for all improvements he had effected, but the house must be returned to another person who was qualified to participate under the scheme, and not be used for speculative purposes. Palmerston North Borough Council had raised £IO,OOO for the erection of 15 houses. EDUCATION.

“Even my greatest opponents cannot say that i have not honestly attempted to take a live interest in education,” said the speaker. The people should take up a very firm stand in regard to this matter. It was not necessary to go outside our own town for examples of the prevailing conditions in schools. To. improve these conditions the Government had provided £500,000 this year, and-£'750,-000 had been allotted for the future to provide suitable buildings throughout the Dominion. An amendment had also removed many disabilities from education boards, and they were being - placed on a better financial basis. Grants for technical education wore absolutely essential. But for the donations from local bodies in past years, it would have been impossible to carry on. The whole money for technical education should be provided by the Government. “We have every reason to be proud of our secondary education,” the speaker remarked, “but wo have made the mistake of commencing at the wrong end. The child is the greatest asset of the State, and it is imperative that we see that the children are properly taught.” Figures showing the overcrowded condition of the schools wore quoted, and the withdrawal of many able teachers from the service to take more lucrative appointments was indicative of the dissatisfaction prevalent. The substitution of urban schoolcommittees for education boards was urged, and the setting up of a National Board of Education. Last year the amount expended on education was £1,251,000, but it had been increased to £2,800,000 this year. Agitation should be continued until the annual grant had been increased to £5,000,000. To prove that New Zealand was not the most niggardly in regard to education, the Commonwealth was shown to have spent only 17/10 per head against New Zealand’s £1 0/3 in 1915-16, and the current year’s expenditure in this Dominion had amounted to £1 16/8 per head. SOLDI EDS’ G RAT LTT Y. Mr Nash recounted the history 91' the gratuity. The first suggestion had been for 1/ a day, but the speaker considered 10/ a week a fair thing. When the proposal before the House was 10/6 a week, the Liberal Party had objected, and asked for 2/ a day. The gratuity was not a payment to the soldiers, but. a. free gift. (Howls, interjections, “Oh! Oh!” and “Rats!”) A, voice: ft was overtime! (Laughter.) Mr Nash said the Returned Soldiers’ conference had recognised it as a gift, and stated they were prepared to accept whatever the Government gave. "Yon must not forget that in pills, when the Bill was introduced, tin; Labour Parly voted dead against it.” A voice: You voted again! it! Mi- Nash: 1 was not in i he (louse (hen. Thai Bill dealt with conscientious objectors and shirkers, (Howls, jeers and applause.) Mr Nash: I have not suggested that the soldiers were shirkers. They did noble work, but God help you if you had to depend on the Jxibour extremists. The Labour Party then

wanted 4/. This was at 3 a.m., and they talked till 6 a.m. A voice: I suppose you were asleep. Mr Nash: If you ever get into the House you will know that it is impossible to sleep when a Labour member is talking. (Laughter and applause.) The Liberal Party went home to bed, all except two, who Voted with the Government. Mr Massey considered his proposal for 1/6 a reasonable one, and was not going to outbid his political opponents. A voice: Oh, no; of course he wouldn’t! REPATRIATION. Mr Nash gave details of the work of repatriation. He considered the results excellent. Large areas had been acquired ,and numbers of, men had been settled on the land. Others had been started in business, I urniture had been provided, establishments for vocational training instituted, and the returned ; oldiers helped in every way. An amo ament also provided for the widow and widowed mother of a soldier anally participating in the benefits of the repatriation scheme. RAILWAY BILL. Greater co-ordination was necessary between the three branches of the railway service. He had suppo. ted an increase in wages for the men. A voice: We haven't got it yet! Mr Nash: If ordinary labourers were paid 13/ and 14/ a day, it was only right that the Government should pay the railwayman a proper wage. A deputation had urged upon him the necessity of setting up a board to inquire into wages aiid conditions. The Premier had considered this the best thing to do, and a board was now being set up. As soon as the report was available, the recommendations would be put into operation at once. SELF-RELIANCE.

John Ballance had preached the doctyine of self-reliance, but it was not until the formation of the National Government that it had been realised. They had raised '£53,000,000 within the Dominion. New Zealand should be self-supporting. To do this we must produce more. The country had been very prosperous— A voice: It was all right for the fat man! Mr Nash: There were many Indications of the country’s prosperity. Savings bank deposits had increased, and other financial barometers had registered increased prosperity. Taxation had risen from £5 7/5 per head in 1015 to £l2 7/8. Land tax had doubled itself in five years, and income tax had increased tenfold in that time. COST OF LIVING. The candidate dealt exhaustively with the cost of living question and said they undoubtedly wanted a reduction. N.ew Zealand, however, was in a much better position than many other countries. A series of inaudible interjections followed this statement and the candidate told those responsible to mind their own business; lie was doing the talking, not them. Continuing, he said the c-c.-t of living in the tinted Kingdom luu: risen 110 per cent., in Australia ‘.O ;>ei cent., while in this country ii had readied 43 per cent. When the Queensland Labour Government had come into power the cost of living in that State had increased to 60 per cent. Anticipating that the Imperial Government would bo requiring meat for war purposes—-the same as was done in New Zealand —Queensland started to commandeer all the stocks of meat they could, paying- something in the vicinity of 3:id per pound. As time went on the Commonwealth Government. received instructions from the Imperial Government to commandeer the meat and the Queensland Government charged them 4 7-8 d for it, as well as charging £19,000 for storage. The deficit under the Queensland Labour Government in 1917 was £253,000, and there was also a deficit of £171,000 the following year. The State taxation was about. 14/7 per head of population, while they were also taxed on incomes of £2OO. The inability of the Queensland Labour Government was also evidenced in railway revenue. This had decreased from £3 16/9 per cent, to 13/9 per cent, (last year’s return). Unemployment was greater in Queensland at the present? time, now that a Labour Government ruled. In 1912 it was only 4 per cent., in 1917 (under the Labour Government) it had reached 10 per cent., while last year it was 11.6 per cent. It was increasing every year. Voices: “This is all from the Tory Press.”

Continuing, the candidate also instanced the Queensland State fish in ■ dustry. The price of fish had mounted up to lid to 3d more than the retailers were charging. They failed to make a trawler pay and in seven weeks had lost about £2090. Thinking they should help the farmers, a Stave lime-crushing concern was started. It took them three months to produce 29 tons of lime, which they sold at a loss, and when they showed a debit balance of £2500 the concern was closed down. Voices; “Give us your policy; we have heard enough about Queensland.” Mr Nash: “I know you have and you don’t like it!” .(Applause and dissent.) A carbide venture was also launched into when the cost of carbide in Brisbane at this time was £4O a ton. The Queensland Government placed an order with Japan but it cost them £IOO a ton to land it in Queensland. Despite the numerous complaints about the price of sugar in New Zealand, they could get it in this country for £23 a ton, whereas in Quensland and other parts of Australia it cost £29. A short time ago we were running short of sugar and someone in the House wanted to know why. It was found that a very large shipment reached the Auckland wharf but the watersiders refused to unload it, w-ith the result that it w’ent to Australia. He did not think the Board of Trade had carried out the work that w r as wanted of (hem. They should have had more prosecu* tions. However, they had now been given wider powers. The candidate, after reading an extract of Sir John Findlay's views on the matter, said that with their wider powers a line of £2OO or imprisonment for three months f-ould be inflicted. Notwithstanding the shortage of shipping, Mr Massey had been able to make the position good in regard to butter and cheese, and retail prices had been kept down.

J NDENTI' 11 I'M) LABOUR. The candidate referred to ftinion, and the indentured labour. The position was, he said, that when war broke out Xew Zealand soldiers were the first to roach enemy territory and they captured Samoa. (Bond laughtor, and comments on ‘•capture!”) The Germans were removed and they had been a menace to our country. It was necessary to keep them out ol (ho Pacific. He deprecated the fact that sections of Xew Zealand people were under the impression that tin Government had countenanced a form of slavery in connect ion with ‘‘indentured labour.” This was only an electioneering' bogey. KHicient sanitation and proper sleeping accommodation had been provided, and in Samoa they were not now under military, but civil control. Kvery comfort and advantage that the Kuropeans had were provided for the Chinese, and if they had any complaints to make they had their Gonsiil to go to. When the British took over

1 Samoa there were only 1000 Chinese on the land, but now there were 3000. When the three years of the employment was up they had signed on for another two years. It would be a grave mistake for Now Zealand to say they could carry on in Samoa without indentured labour. The Samoans would not work, and it was for us to educate them up to it. White men could direct, control or supervise, but could not do agricultural work in that climate. However, the whole matter was to be reviewed at next session of Parliament. The Plantations had gone to rack and ruin and it was necessary for these to be cared for. Voices: "Give us your policy!” Mr Nash: "There is going to be a trip to Samoa next year to see what is going on.” (Laughter.) NAURU ISLAND. The candidate considered Mr Massey was deserving of congratulation for what he had done for the farming community. (Dissent, mingled with applause.) He further congratulated him on his work in respect to Nauru Island. The arrangements of Mr Massey, Mr Hughes and Lord Milner in connection with the distribution of the Nauru Island phosphates would result in the United Kingdom getting 42 per cent., Australia 42 percent. and New Zealand 16 per cent. Commissioners were to be appointed, and would not be subject to political influence. Tnterjector: ‘‘Or municipal influence either?” Mr Nash: “No, nor municipal influence.” (Laughter.) WORK OF THE SESSION.

Continuing, he said there was one Bill passed last session called the "Undesirable Immigrants” Bill. (Laughter.) This Bill was strongly opposed by the Labour members. (Dissent.) Mr Nash; “1 should think they would; it is not good for them.” The Bill provided that if men were landed in this country who were disloyal and a menace, they could lie sent back. Further, if any man became disloyal to the flag while living in New Zealand he could bo arrested and deported for good. “This,” said the candidate, “will have a steadying effect on New Zealand for some time to come.” Dealing further with the work accomplished during the recent session, he enumerated the increased widows' pensions. He contended the country could afford to make still further increases in this connection. “We often hear a good deal said as to what the Reform Party has done for this country,” said Mr Nash. (This was followed by cries ol "Nothing - ! from a section of the audience). Continuing, he said that the Reform Party had abolished political patronage. 'granted the right of freehold of property, remodelled the native land laws, and reformed the Legislative Council. Mr Massey had succeeded in obtaining ‘women’s rights in Parliament.

Interjoctor: “He ‘pinched it from Jimmy McCombs!” Mr Massey denied this, saying- Mr Massey had had the scheme in mind fur some time past. When the House agreed to the Bill it was sent to the Legislative Council, but the latter refused to have all the provisions cairied out. The candidate disagreed with the nominee system and contended that any man who was prepared to take part in the affairs of the country should come out and stand before the people to be elected. Included in other matters accomplished were those appertaining to the Civil Service, also miners’ and Maoris’ pensions, while public defenders were also provided for. The Massey Government had increased the rates of interest in the Post Office savings bank to 3| per cent., and the deposits from £6OO to ft 000. Mr Nash was strongly opposed to land aggregation. Voices: “Land agent!” The candidate replied to the effect that if some people earned their living as honestly as he did they would have less to say. People had no right to large areas of land while others were crying out for it. (Applause.) POLICY OF THE FUTUfIE.

Mr Nash. proceeding-, said the Massey Government stood for sound Government and would do its duty without fear or favour and wouid do its best for the country and the people. He was proceeding to deal with roods and transport when he was interrupted with a Query about the railway cut. He said that the railways had reached such a position in this country owing to the go-slow policy in the mines that they could not carry on. If the cut had not taken place when it did, the whole of the railways would have stopped running in ton days. He went on to say that the Massey Government advocated accelerating' industry, improved civic conditions, and pushing on with the hydro-electric power scheme. In the latter connection he deprecated the loss to the country in Mr E. Parry, who was now receiving double the amount of salary paid him by the New Zealand Government. He further advocated development and encouragement of trade with the Pacific Islands, increased naval protection of the Pacific, the eradication of trusts and combines, telephone system to be extended to outlying parts, reafforestation and planting of sand dunes (laying particular stress on this point). Speaking of the future, ho said there were many great problems to bo grappled with, industries must be started and encouraged so that we should not be paying In times as much for the finished article for the raw product, wo exported. Electricity would play an important part in regard to this matter. lie ad\oeated state ownership and Hie improvement of the ferry service between both Island-, and the colliers for the convevauce of coal from the mines to Ibis island; and the reduction of freight charges on exported goods. The 'deform Party also stood for a better understanding between capital ■ aid labour. That was absolutely necessary. Ho had always shown his synnathy with labour and was showing H every day of his life. \ voice: “Why arc you standing foi ;il then?” M Nash: The workers must be paid a ii ting wage. Ho quoted figures tq show how Hie cost of living had in-crca-od. Continuing, he said the business of the country could be carried ■ n with safety and they could do so v ifhout borrowing money outside New Zealand. Me pointed out, as an ex;r :ie of how a country could recow from the war, that Germany in m months after the signing of pea had exported to Britain £2l- 00,000 worth of raw material. Ito • . reoated the go-slow policy and ask why we should have to import coal com Australia to run our railway Proceeding, he said they war d to see an improvement of natter highways, greater facilities for od”' Hon, free denial and medical 1p,.: , icid for school children, and SI. emu's homes in the larger tov Mo did not favour the four mon Os military service, but the conlin : on of the present system. He. stn 1 the necessity for stable G0v-,.,-v d and for get'mg back to near lire ... l conditions as quickly as possjlii He believed wages would nc\ to I Kick if < lie cost »f living incre I; there should be a !Hither visi n wages. In conclusion, lie U r: : lie need lor unity and common mid landing. “Met us go on and me i, fliis country what it ought to be,’' said Mr Nash, “one of the brie ll test spots on the face of God’s carte” (Applause.)

QUESTIONS. Mr W. Holmes wanted to know if Mr Nash had tried to get the questioner to manipulate the Belgian Trust funds. Mr Nash said atS once that he did not, and he went into a lengthy explanation, pointing out that when the Americans took over Belgian relief the committee in charge of the fund had voted £2OO to the French Orphans’ Fund, subject . to the Minister’s approval. This was not granted, and finally the whole of the fund was handed over to the Government. Mr Holmes expressed dissatisfaction at the answer, and continued a running fire of comment throughout the rest of the proceedings, despite pressing and continued invitations from the audience to “sit down” and “go home,” and intimations that the subject wasn’t "politics.” He was finally counted out with great gusto. At this stage a gentleman in the dress circle began to make inquiries in a husky voice for something be had apparently dropped into the stalls. The candidate then read a written question asking whether the present Labour leaders were against reinforcements going to the front. Mr Nash answered in the affirmative. The Labour leaders had done their level best against it. A voice: What is the signature? Mr Nash* If any man doubts that the question is not genuine, ler him come up here. A voice: Don’t get angry, Jimmy! (Laughter.) Mr Nash; I am not getting angry. The next question (a written one) was; “Are you on the water wagon?” Mr Nash said that if that meant “did he belong to the Prohibition Party?” he did not. Mr McAvinue asked if, under the Government housing scheme, a loan is granted at 5 per cent with a-half per cent rebate for prompt payment, why did the returned soldier have to pay 5 per cent with no rebate, and interest in advance? A voice: That’s the stuff to give ’em. Mr Nash: I don’t know. He went on to say that probably the position was that when the repatriation scheme was introduced four years ago houses were cheaper. The Housing Bill was only introduced recently. At the same time, there should be no anomaly, and he would do his best to do away with it. If anyone should have the benefit it should be the returned soldier. , (Applause.) “Are you in favour of doing away with the 10,000 land sharks in New Zealand, and, by so doing, break the back of the big land gamble going on?” was the next question read by Mr Nash. A voice; Let the chairman read them! Another voice: He can’t read. (Laughter.) Mr Nash: This is a personal question, but I don’t mind answering it. If it were not for men such as myself dealing with land, some of you fellows would have a hard row to hoe. The next question asked whether Mr Nash, in the event of his return, would support a Bill that the cheese people should be placed in the same position as the butter people with regard to the butter fat test. Mr Nash replied in the affirmative. A voice: You’ve supported everything so far, Jim! (Laughter.) Mr Nash produced a list of questions from the New Zealand Public Service Association. He said there was nothing in the requests they made, because they were only improvements on their present position. He was strongly in favour of full political rights for Civil servants. The next question dealt with the holidays of borough employees. Mr Nash said he did not know of a man in Palmerston of the name subscribed, but would answer the question. A gentleman here asserted himself. He stated that some of the employees had gone to Mr Nash personally last year and asked him to look into the matter. “You are still looking into it!” declared the complainant, amid laughter. Mr Nash explained that the question had been gone into. The Palmerston borough employees were the best treated in regard to holidays of any borough in New Zealand. A voice: Never on your life! Mr Nash explained that employees had to be on the staff for a certain time before they wore entitled to get the 14 days’ annual holiday. He had made no promises he had not fulfilled. The period had been reduced from two years to twelve months. A voice: Give them six days’ holiday a week and full pay and they would not be satisfied. (Laughter.) A questioner invited the candidate to explain why he voted in favour of a bill empowering inexperienced men to work in the mines, and asked whether the bill was not designed to smash organised labour. Mr Nash said the measure referred to had met with the approval of twothirds of the House. They had heard sufficient about, what was going on in regard to the mines. Mr Massey had done all he could to bring about a better understanding between the miners and mine-owners. (Cries of “Rot!”) Personally, he was in favour of nationalising the mines. He thought it would be a step in the right direction. It was the only solution to the “go-slow” policy. “Are you in favour of State control of the liquor traffic?” Mr Nash: “No.”

“Will you support the closing- of the bars, hotels and chartered clubs at 6 o’clock?” Mr Nash said he did not think the right thing- had been done in this matter. There should be a better understanding and more consideration shown as far as the hours of closing were concerned. A voice; “Get in between Jimmy!” (Great laughter.) Mr Nash would support a 4 8-hour week for hotel and restaurant employees, and one day holiday a week. In reply to another question, the candidate said he was in favour of increasing the salaries of hospital nurses throughout the of the hospitals. A substantial increase had been made in the salaries of the nurses in Palmerston hospital, and he himself had moved the motion. He also moved that a conference of all hospital boards should be called in Wellington to discuss the question of increased salaries. Mr Nash refused to answer a question signed “Moses.” At this stage Mr Nash said that in regard to the other candidate so lar he had not had the pleasure of seeing him. (Cries of disbelief.) From what he had heard of him, he would be very glad to, and was anxious to meet hipi. He believed ho would conduct his side without personalities and in a gentlemanly way. (Applause.) Mr Holmes again asserted himself and enquired why correspondence from him to the Borough Council had been returned, to which Mr Nash replied his letter had not been couched in proper terms. Mr Holmes continued his comments till counted out. A member of the audience fainting created another diversion. In replying to a question, Mr Nash said he had tried to have the promised bonus paid to I’. and T. servants, and would support it. Mr J. Hodgens asked whether Mr Nash would support a measure increasing the graduated land tax and the income tax. Mr Nash said he would support an increase in the graduated land tax, and also one on death duties. With regard to income tax, people should

not be called upon to pay more at the present tim§. Mr Hodgens endeavoured to make further remarks, but could not be heard. After an interval, in which the audience held the floor, and attempt was made to pass a vote of thanks, but Mr Hodgens asked if Mr .Nash did not consider that, in any position, in this country—all things being equal —a returned soldier should be given preference. Mr Nash said he knew what Mr Hodgens was driving at. He referred to the position of Borough Engineer. A returned soldier had applied, but they did not consider that he had the qualifications of the present Engineer (Mr Hughes). Mr Hodgens: There were 32 applications for that position! Mr Nash: It’s all right. It’s no good talking about it. A vote of thanks was then passed to the speaker and the chairman, and the meeting concluded with mingled hooting, cheering and applause. WARD AT TEMUR A. (Per Press Association). TIMARU, Last Night. Sir Joseph Ward arrived at Tcmuka from South by the express. He spent an hour at the Methodist garden party, and visited the Bramwell Booth Boys Home. At night he addressed a crowded meeting at the Dominion Theatre. Many were unable to obtain admission. People were present from all parts of the surrounding district. Sir Joseph Ward was received with cheers on entering, and at the conclusion of a two-hours' speech was cheered and given a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence as the Leader of the Liberal Party. He spoke vigorously, and had a sympathetic hearing while he outlined the policy of the party, as sketched in his manifesto, and said if he was returned to power, that the policy would be carried out. The country needed a progressive Government to enable it to meet the great obligations resulting from the war, and claimed that the Liberals alone could furnish the necessary stimulus to the energies of the people, to enable them to go safely through the very critical period. He will go north to-morrow, speaking at Geraldine on his way.

CANDIDATE TAKES ILL. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON. Last Night. Mr A. J. R. Isherwood, candidate for Otaki, held a meeting at the Upper Hutt to-night. Mr P. Robertson, who presided over a large attendance, explained that the candidate w F as suffering from a heart attack, and probably would not be able to speak very long. Mr Isherwood then rose and said he was r! a c ling as a Liberal, although not supported by the Liberal Party in any trade or profession. The candidate denied the statement alleged to have been made that he was the nominee of the liquor trade. At this stage Mr Isherwood announced that he was too unwell to proceed, but would address the electors on a future occasion. The meeting then terminated. FASTIDIOUS ME HAN AN. (Per Press Association). INVERCARGILL, Last night. Mr Ilanan opened his campaign in the Municipal Theatre. Ho.said he had been asked if he would take a seat in the present Government if offered it, but he declared that he would not. On a no-confidence motion he would vote to put the Liberals in po.wer, but would not take office in any Government where the Ministers were not selected purely for their qualifications. He favoured an elective executive, and he also stated that he would not take a portfolio unless lie had complete control of the department and monies of the department. A vote of confidence was carried with a fair body of dissentients.