Marlon

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 60, 12 March 1938, Page 13

Marlon

From Our Own Correspondent. Mr J. A. Lee Has Lively Meeting. To an audience of some 600 electors on Tuesday evening, Air J. A. Lee, Parliamentary L nder-Secretary, i-eceivcd good support from the greater part of the house, but was intermittently subjected to a crossfire of intei-jection, which he took well for a while, but the persistence of one woman in particular, who objected to his drawing comparisons between the depression years and the present day, so tried him that he in turn belittled, ridiculed, became mildly rude and threatened not to hear her; but her next words would sting him again to retort, so that the meeting remained lively to the end, but his set theme suffered. Backing his statement that the. increased prosperity of the country was due to the policy of the Government, Air Lee quoted figures for the years 1930-32 and compared them with those of the two years of Labour’s rule, covering production, wages, unemployment and public works. “We are adding to the value of New Zealand so that we shall all get a little more,” he said. “If the price cf woo] suffered a sharp decline, the farmers would erv out for a guaranteed price.’ (chies of ‘Never!” “Not on your life,’’ “Where would you get it?’’). Air Lee then proceeded to quote official figures of the averager eturns of farmers with £3oo'' holdings, and lo discuss the increase in the use of fertiliser. “In the years—” he started. The Woman: “Why keep on about the depression? What about the better years before?” An uproar followed this interjection ai d Air Lee declared that he would rio longer listen to the ‘dear raucous lady,” and that if she were left alone she would win over the whole hall to him. Commenting on the pensions Increases, Mr Lee said that the present state of affairs was not ideal, the pensions were not enough. ‘‘We started the invalidity pension.” he said. The Woman: "They had a pension before you ever got there;” Mr Lee: * That statement is absolute]:/ untrue. There was no invalidity pension before the Labour Government came into office. That statement, if not malicious, is instigated by ignorance. Any way, most people would rather pay a few pence more to feed and clotne an invalid than starve the poor wretch.” (Applause). He continued to outline the expansion In the motor and allied industries when again the woman’s voice interrupted him and he was stung to reply: “Madam, if you were the only woman in the world and I were the only man, and we were both together in the Garden of Eden, I would jump the fence.” (Loud laughter). Mr Lee then ridiculed Mr Hamilton’s disapproval of the Government’s spending policy and his advice “to put something away for a rainS dav.” “Do you know,’’ said Air Lee. “that there has been an increase in the number of Post Office Savings Bank accounts amounting to 63,000 since the LaGovernment went into office. Everyone lias more, everyone is spending more and ’they To still putting more away ‘for a rainy day.’ And strangely enough, some are doing it. because of the fear that it the Government changed there would be another cut.” In defence of the Government's policy of internal borrowing, Air Lee said that for years the Coalition Government borrowed from London a few millions each year to balance the budget. We get the money from the Reserve Bank, he said and have paid off the London loans, which is evidence of our progress and sanity. “Economically,” said Mr Lee, “New Zealand has the power to be second tc none in the world. We have wonderful grasslands, a genial climate, abundant water, good holiday resorts, in fact, a country that could yield anything u we believed in the high purpose of the improvement of the working man. Seddon was supposed to be uncouth because lift was a pioneer in legislation, yet the sociologists of the world looked to him. The younger generation was reactionary and now we have thrown down reaction and have the capacity for a great destiny in the founding, erecting and improving socialism and doing away with depression. (Sustanied applause). Asked what measures would be taken ir. case of a depression, Air Ormond Wilson, M.P., who was also on the platform, replied that the Government would assure payment to the farmer of sufficient to maintain his solvency and everyone would get the best income possible under the maintenance of the internal purchasing power and guaranteed price. Ninety-five per cent of the socialism in the country to-day, he stated, was introduced by the good old Conservative Governments of the past. Successful Swimming Campaign.

A special report from the headmaster, Air A. W. Tucker, was presented to the committee meeting of the Alarton District High School on Tuesday evening, as follows: “A swimming week was held in December last and instruction was continued during the month of February. The results have been most satisfactory. During the intensive instruction given, 100 pupils have learned to swim. Many of these are included in the number who gained certificates. The number of certificates gained were: For 15 yards, 70; 25 yards, 59; 50 yards 55; 220 yards, 26; 880 yards, 18. Ot the 343 children in the school above the primary classes, 250 are able to swim, representing a percentage of 73.” The chairman, Dr. R. A. Church, commented on the excellence of the report, and it was decided to place on record the committee’s appreciation of the efforts oi the headmaster and his staff during the swimming campaign. Later in the evening a letter of thanks, received from the Tapuae school committee, with reference to the visit of their pupils to ATarton for a “learn to swim week” was read. P. and T. Picnic. Despite a somewhat blustering wind, a very pleasant day was spent at Santoft last weeke-nd by the staff of the Alarton Post and Telegraph Department, and their families and friends, when the department’s annual picnic was held. The day ut.s spent in swimming in the lake and a sports programme in the afternoon. The postmaster, All* W. A. Sawyer, acted aa judge for the sports and later presented the trophies to the winners. Accident Sequel. A sequel to an accident on the Bonny Glen railway crossing on December 4 last, when a motor car was struck by the northbound New Plymouth express, was heard in the Alagistrate’s Court on Wednesday before Mr R. AI. Watson, S.AI. The car driver, George Henry Thomas, of Wanganui, was charged by the police with failing to stop his vehicle and make adequate observation where a compulsorystop sign was erected. Constable H. Shields prosecuted and Thomas pleaded guilty. Constable Shields stated that defendant was driving his car to Alarton, following another car. The first car crossed the- railway and defendant, believing the line to be clear, followed, but when just nearing the crossing saw the train approaching. While trying to reverse, the car stalled and the front, bumper was struck by the express. The car was completely wrecked and defendant and his two passengers were seriously injured. Defendant said he had nothing To say in reply to a question from the Bench, and a fine of 30/- with coats 10/was imposed.