Prepared to Support Any Party

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6625, 11 August 1931, Page 8

Prepared to Support Any Party

an accommodating CANDIDATE. MASTERTON, Aug. 9. Mr. A. H. Vile, an Independent candidate, addressed a largo meeting on Saturday night. Mr. Vilo’s motto is “Country first.” Tho Mayor, Mr. T. Jordan, presided. The present Government, he said, was showing littlo initiative in promoting closer settlement. He hoped that something would yet bo done for the unemployed in planning and carrying out a scheme for the opening up of land. When this was done, ho was sure wc would bo on tho way to a solution of our economic difficulties. The speaker urged that further economies could be made in administrative costs, including tho Prime Minister s Department and Educaton. He described the wheat duties as a cruel exploitation of the primary producers and an imposition on the consumers. It was not the wheatgrowers, but tho flour millers, who were putting up the duties. Explaining his platform as an Independent, Mr. Vile said ho would be the first if Mr. Forbes were elected with a majority and brought forward a progressive policy to go to the other members in the House and ask them to stand behind the Government and work for the good of the country. If, on the other hand, Mr. Coates were elected with a majority, he would ask members to stand behind him. The candidate was asked if he would stand behind the Labour party if it was to get into power. “I think that is a most unlikely contingency,” stated Mr. Vile. Voices: “No, no.” • Tho candidate: “Well, if Mr. Holland can show me a progressive policy such, as I have shown you tonight, or as near as possible to it, I will bo with him.” Replying to questions, the candidate stated that he did not believe in purchasing land for closer settlement at its present value and interest rates. Regarding his attitude to salary cuts for members of Parliament, Mr. Vile said he considered there should have been a 25 per cent, cut in the salaries of Ministers and a 50 per cent, cut in their travelling expenses, and a 5 per cent, cut iu the salaries of members. (Laughter.) “Do you consider that the wages being paid on relief works are adequate for a married man with a family? was another question put to the candidate. Mr. Vile said that, if elected, his object would bo to place men in employment, but, failing this, they should receive adequate pay on relict works. He would not say that they should receive award rates of pay, howA motion of confidence in the candidate. was carried.