PRIME MINISTER TOURS MANAWATU

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6756, 8 November 1928, Page 8

PRIME MINISTER TOURS MANAWATU

Two Reform Cand Create Unfortunate Situation

Addresses Electors at Bulls, Foxton md Levin

'J'HE Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) continued his election campaign tour yesterday with visits to Bulls, Foxton, Shannon and Levin, giving addresses at' each of these places. He was accorded a good reception. The Prime Minister had something to say on the Reform position in the Manawatu electorate, where two candidates are standing in the same interest

' Reception at Bulls. The Prime Minister and party lunched at Bulls. They were greeted by Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., Sir J. G. Wilson, Hon. E. Newman, Mr. €. E Walker (chairman of the Town Board) and others. Mr. Walker presided at the luncheoa and extended welcome from the resi dents Of town and district. He ex pressed pleasure at the presense of Sir J. G. Wilson and Hon. B. Newman whom ha described as the old stalwarts and apologised for the absence of Mr, H. J. D. McManaway who had been in.X. vited to be present but who had to leave for a distant part to deliver an address. Two Candidates. The health of the Prime Ministei was proposed by Mr. J. H. Perrett, who expressed pleasure at the reception Mr Coates had received during his tour. In the Manawatu electorate there were more candidates than re quired but it seemed the electors woule have to put up with it. His own opinion was that there was nothing to worry about. Friends of Reform had nothing against Mr. Linklater. He had nothing to say against Mr. Mo Manaway who had served on local bodies and rendered good service for the district. There was a suggestion \ that he would split the Reform vote but Mr. Perrett said he was not oi that opinion. It was unfortunate, however, that Mr. McManaway was standing. “We have a good sound and honest administrator and we are satisfied,” said the speaker amidst applause. Those who were making, a fuss had never voted Reform and would never do so. Bulls esteemed it a great honour to have the head of the ■ Government with them (applause). Prime Minister’s Regrets. In replying, Mr. Coates said that ic one regretted more than he did, that in certain places splendid men were competing as Reform supporters. The effect must be to jeopardise the seat He had never known a case where tw» Government supporters ■' had fought it out and either won the seat. As I rule, the third man slipped in. The. only thing to save the situation in Manawatu was the fact that there were two others in the field. In any case, it was difficult to foresee the result. There was no stxaighter man than Mr Linklater; ,he would have nothing to do with any action that was shady., Mr McManaway had been a very old ■ supporter of the Party and a man who had won the respect and esteem of the Party supporters, not only in the dis trict but amongst the leaders of fht Party in Wellington. Mr. Massey had known his weight and the speaker also had felt it for many years past. It was unfortunate that two very excellent men were trying to do the right thing yet the one was interfer ing with the other. Mr. Linklater had been member for the district for years and one did not expect to find a man giving way after that length of service. Whether there was any way of clearing up the matter he did not know. He had thought h,round the question a good deal. The suggestion of going to a ballot was hardly fair when one of , the two had served in Parliament There was the position and ail must realise the pitfalls of the situation. All he could do personally was to emphasise that if an elector was a party supporter, then he should sacrifice likes and dislikes for the party. The real question was whether New Zealand was going to have a sound and stable Government. Stability of the Government meant a great deal and he U claimed Reform had brought about a *: measure of industrial peace such as ft the country had never experienced previously . The Outlook Satisfactory. In reviewing the accomplishments of the Government, the Prime averred that taxation had been relieved for the working man and State departments had been managed in a .manner which vied with any other part of the British Empire. The main features of the Government had been economy and efficiency. Every endeavour had been made to develop the country. The general ontlook from Ms own point of view, was satisfactory and the Party would go back into power with a bigger majority than before. “That is my straight judgment,” he added, “without embellishments.” Mr. Coates thanked the gathering for the generous manner in wMch he had been received. Outside the Town Hall. “T hope you do the right thing next week,” observed the Prime Minister when speaking to a gathering outside the Bulls town hall immediately after the luncheon. A voice: “Yes, vote, for McManaway.” , Mr Coatesi “He’s a very fine sup- ' porter of the present Government Knd a man, of whom wo have a high opinion :

After expressing his pleasure at the welcome extended him and Mrs Coates the Prime Minister observed that since the war the country had faced a general deflation in the value of products sent overseas. That had affected the primary producers, upon whom the prosperity of the country depended. When the farmer was pinched then the rest, of the community felt it also. The Opposition had claimed that legislation could have avoided the slump but he asked how could economic * depression be alleviated by any enactment of Parliament? His opponents were only misleading the people. In 1926 the trading balance was five millions behind but the country immediately aligned itself with the position. The worst feature, however, was the growth of unemployment. Conditions had changed fortunately and now New Zealand was experiencing a measure of prosperity. Had the prophecy of the Opposition been fulfilled? Had the salaries of the Civil Service and workers been lowered? The Government had not reduced salaries nor wages ana normal promotions and advancements had been met. Nobody hated uliemployment more than he did. His party had been accused of inact.vity. One in 300 Idle.

Could not the people realise New Zealand was not the only country with unemployment? A comparison with other countries was illuminating. In H.S.A., the unemployed were one in 60. in Great Britain one in 38, in Australia one in 160. New Zealand had one in 300, showing that the Dominion was better off than any other country ile assured the audience the Govern ment would not be a party to any cut ting down of wages and the offer ol 9s and 12s had been made only to tide men over critical periods. Generally speaking, no married man had earned loss than 12s a day and in some instances up to £l, Developing the Country. Figures were quoted to show hon much had been spent on developing the country. Money had been spent oi erecting schools. A voice: “Not in the countryl” Mr Coates: “I beg to differ; You are not conversant with the situation,” but the interjector persisted is his assertion. “What’s your name?” asked the Prime Minister. From somewhere: ‘‘Small.” Mr Coates: “I see, is your name Small? May I say it is most appropriate.” (Uproar and laughter). . The Prime Minister chara'cterised unemployment insurance as a dead weight burden on the country. Unemployment would have to be met and the Government would have to do it. For instance, increased family allowances could be given, but not before tho country could afford it. Extension of tho Child Welfare Act and medical and dental inspections were necessary. Dental clinics were needed in th 6 country distriicts to give the rural child what-the city child now received. Pensions for Semi-Widows.

Returned soldiers and invalids also needed support but it needed money to give effect to those desires. One of the first pieces of humanitarian legislation that had to be tackled -was the giving of relief to women with permanently invalided husbands. He had

(applause). Wo have another fine man here too (laughter and applause). You are getting it right from the horse’s mouth now, ’ ’ continued the Prime Minister when he could be heard again. “While you are fighting amongst yourselves, here is ue situation that is being created —good party votes aro being split up and the result is you lose the chance that is yours. It is of vital importance for you to know that the man to govern the country should be the man who will never stoop to one action that will discredit the Dominion. “During the last six weeks, I have had sitting opposite me, men who take a delight in decrying the country. 1 hear nobody saying ‘hear, hear, (laughter). Bulls has been famous for its solid, sensible opinions for years past and I hope you will show it again. ” Cheers called for the Prime Minister and Mrs Coates were lustily given as also were cheers for Mr. McManaway With the School Children. On reaching Foxton, the party stopped in front of the school, where the Prime Minister inspected and addressed, the pupils. He exhorted them to be studious and dutiful (especially to their parents), to play their game for all they were worth, to be modest in victory and take their losses as real New Zealand boys and girls. On the call of the headmaster (Mr. F. Mason; cheers were given for **?. and Mrs Coates who then adjourned to’ the Town Hall, where a large gather ing awaited the Prime Minister. Mr M. E. Perredu (Mayor) presided. Out of the Depression.

been working out the problem for years and believed he nad reached a solution.

A voice: “If it’s left too long, they won’t get the benefit of it.” Mr Coates: “I agree. We have tickled the problem and have set in motion machinery to bring about an understanding between the Government and Friendly Societies in the matter. “We stand for equal opportunities for our citizens,” declared the speaker, “but we have to remember the country can only carry a certain load and that we have just come through a period of depression, whon it woilld have been unwise to increase taxation.” Return to Prosperity. The customs tax had fallen but the income tax had been increased. The result was that the working man was not being Mt but his burden lightened This year exports had exceeded ira ports by something like £12,000,00Q The banks had approximately £II,OOO, 000 more than last year. Deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank had almost overtaken withdrawals. All this indicated the return of prosperity. The country’s wealth had increased enormously and there was more money in the hands of investors. There was an increase of 11 per cent men employed in manufactures and 42 per cent in machinery investments and the like. Industrial Peace, New Zealand had enjoyed a measure of peace second to none in the history of the Dominion. The Country Party Ua'd accused the Government of favouring the city and the city man said it was favouring the country. The United Party said the Reform Party was too Socialistic and the Labom Party said it was too Tory. It seemed to him, in these circumstances that tin Government 1 had been pretty good (applause and laughter) and that it nad administered the affairs of the Dominion wisely and well (applause). He declared the Government was not antilabour and endeavoured to ‘show that it had uplifted the conditions under which men and women worked. The Government had had tremendous powers in its hands but he . declared it had never abused them and in the report, of the Industrial Commissioner he foresaw a solution of difficult problems affecting the workers. A voice: “Why don’t you do that .or the flaxworkers?” .Mr Coates: “I would be the last one to ask a worker to accept lower wages, but if, in the interests of the country, an industry should be pushed ahead arid the men agreed to a lower rate of wages, then when prosperity returned the workers should be the first to benefit by it. If there is any man who has worked harder than I for the flaxworkers show him to me,” declared the speaker, “I have yet to be shown tnat the flaxmillers will not meet the workers in the manner X have suggested. ’ ’ A voice: “They haven’t done it.” Mr. Coates: “My experience of the flaxmillers is that they will meet th« men but they are up against thinga All I can do is to keep on trying to bring about that measure of agreement where employers and workers stand togo'her through depression and prosperity.” (Applause). Legislation.

The Prime Minister referred to legislation passed by Parliament —the Local Government Loans Bill the Highways Act and Petrol Tax and bills making agricultural education possibly. There was no eyewash in the measures dealing with agricultural production. The establishment of the Science and Research Board would be of immense advantage to the Dominion leading to short cuts to efficient and increasd production. That piece of legislation would save to the Dominion more money than any other Act had saved it in 20 years. Science to-day meant more to the primary producer and industry than anything else. The Rural Credits Acta had helped the farmers immensely. They had given them cheap money to develop their farms. Cheaper freights to the farmer had been granted as well as incentives to production in tho form of subsidies. A Government was justified in asking the people to assist an industry provided it was to increase export trade which brought wealth to the country, > All these enactments had been stepping stones to prosperity and the placing of more men on the land with resultant increased production and prosperity. A voice: “You have a go for 20 years. ’' Mr Coates;. “I have had more than 20 years on the land by a long shot and I’m no dud farmer.” (applause). The Prime Minister said ho realised that the extension of the small farm idea would be a step in the right direction, as also would.be the group settlement of young men as farmers. Another important proposal was the bringing into production, of second class country, sucb as the pumice lands. There were those who scoffed at the settling of‘the pumice areas but aH he asked was for those who disbelieved him, to go and see for themselves. While, there was a howl of want of capacity on the part of the Government, it was significant that New Zealand’s credit abroad had never been so high, although the Dominion had come through a period of industrial depression. More About Two Candidates.

' While the Reform Party had twn candidates in the field things looked risky, / “You are up against it?” queried a member of the audience. Mr. Coates: “I don’t think so and we will go back on Wednesday next (applause). Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to nominate Mr McManaway as the Reform representative but Mr Linklater has represented the district very well and deserves continued support, (applause). If you are good party supporters, there is one thing for you to do and that is support Linklater and make Manawatu a certain Government seat.” (Applause). Thanks and Confidence. Mr. J. K. Hornblow moved “This

meeting conveys its thanks to the Prime Minister for his able and convincing address, expresses its appreciation of the manner in which the country has been administered in the past three years and pledges continued confidence in the Government.” . The mover laid emphasis upon the fact that the Prime Minister and many of his colleagues in the Cabinet wore New Zealand-hrern. Mr. J. B. Gower seconded the motion which was carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks to the Mayor concluded the meeting.

Cheers were given for tho Prime Minister and Mrs Coates, who were then entertained at afternoon tea prior to leaving for Shannon and Levin. Mr. NASH AT TERRACE END.

Last night the Coronation Hall was crowded, when despite occasional interjections from a noisy minority, Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., the official Reform candidate, vigorously outlined some of the planks of his own party. Ho also criticised the United Party’s policy and had a few rejoinders for Labour. In introducing the candidate, Mr. M. H. Oram, who presided, briefly recounted the many public services rendered by Mr. Nash during his long career as member for Palmerston. Government Blamed for Everything.

In opening his address, Mr. Nash stated that for some years past it had hen the custom to blame the Reform Party for everything, low prices at Home and all. Yet despite these hard times the country was in a prosperous condition.

As'member for Palmerston he had always tried to do his best for his constituents. Whatever a man’s politics he, as their member, had endeavoured to help. He felt he could justly claim., the people’s continued support. He had given much thought to the problem of party government. No one yet had solved that problem in politics and so party government remained. Though, a member of the Reform party, he was not always bound to follow the leader. But he wished to make it quite clear that he would never vote with Labour on any party measure. The Labour party were bound by pledges which they were bound to keep in wder to keep tkeir positions. Tho United Party had recently sprung up, formed by Mr. Davey, the former organiser of the Reform Party. It- had been said that the United Party would claim Reform candidates. Ho challenged anyone to find the name of a former Reform member on their list of candidates.

The fight in the Palmerston electorate was really between Reform and Labour. Every vote against Reform was a vote for Labour.

Amidst a running lire' of interjections the candidate proceeded to outline Reform’s closer settlement scheme, whereby small farmers would have fifty acres and a few cows. A voice: “You’ll want Joe Ward’? £70,000,000 for that,” The Government were also going to provide one and two acre sections for workers ’ homes so that they could keep a few fowls and a cow. They would have the chance of acquiring their'own homes in a few years’ time. The railways were being run for the service of the people. Speeding np the trains and business methods have resulted in much better patronage. The now railway station at Palmerston North when completed would be equips ped with all modern requirements from shaving saloons to hot baths. Customs and the protective, tariff on wheat were also touched on. Mr Nash recalled tfiat years ago 3s 6d had been obtained for wheat grown at Sandon. It was then considered a good price. Ho could not do that -now, wages were too high. Voices: “What about the married couple at 35s a week?” “What altout 10s a week for a young man on a farm?”

Better times than those werq coming, resumed Mr. Nash. “Not with Coates and chaos,” said the same voice. A running fire of interjection greeted Mr. Nash’s quotations of prices for wheat obtaining in the various States of Australia and New Zealand. Pigs and Politics. “A pedigree pig or a polo pony carries more weight with your party than a human baby,” stated a persistent intexjector. “I remember you as a grocer’s boy,” continued the interrupter. “Yes,” said Mr. Nash, “I admit that I was a grocer’s boy. But I have gone on while you have stayed behind.’’ (Applause). Mr Nash soundly refuted the imputation that the Government cared not for the children. They hai founded dental clinics and the inspection of schools by nursps and doctors had been inaugurated. In conclusion he again-stressed the need of supporting the Reform Party, and to remember that he had always done his best. Questions Answered. “Are you in favour of increasing the old age pensions?” “Yes,” said Mr, Nash, “but not on a no-confidence motion of Mr Holland’s.”

“ Should the United Party be returned to power after this election would you vote with Labour to gc't them out?” “If I thought my vote against United would put Labour in, I would vote for United,” was the reply. “Where does Sir Joseph Ward propose to raise the big loan!” was the gist of another question. “After his recent visit to England Sir Joseph had informed the United Party that he could get the money in England,” replied Mr. Nash. “Might I suggest that if he can raise such a loan at 95 without loss to the country that he is the “wizard of finance.” Voice: “Too right he is.” “What assistance does a man with a wife and nine children under age get from the Government?” ashed an anxious parent.—“l4s a week,” was the reply. On the motion of Mr. W. H. Moffatt

a motion of thanks and confidence yras carried with little dissent, Mr. J. A. Nash will address the electors as follows: At the Opera House to-morrow night at 8 o ’clock, at Hokowhitu on Saturday at 7.45, at West End School on Monday at 8, and at the Empire Hall on Tuesday at 8 o’clock. MB. SMALL AT HOME. RECORD MEETING AT KAIRANGA Last evening Mr. P. J. Small, th# United Party’s candidate, addressei the largest crowd that has ever as Bcmbled in the Kairanga hall—a splea did tribute to the candidate’s great popularity in his own district and the high esteem in which he is held. His speech was on familiar lines and a- vote of thanks and confidence was unaui mously carried on tho motion of Messrs P. Meehan and Beattie. mr. McManaway at tiakitaHUNA.

Mr. J. H. McManaway, Independent Eefonn candidate for the Manawatu electorate, had a very successful meeting at Tiakitahuna on Tuesday evening when he addressed a good muster of electors. Mr. McManawav dealt convincingly with * various questions including the land policy and at the conclusion of the meeting was accorded a juanimous vote of thanks.