Rongotea

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 236, 6 October 1938, Page 13

Rongotea

From Our Own Correspondent. Election Meeting. There was an attendance of over one hundred on Tuesday evening- to hear the Hon. J. G. Cobbe deliver his election speech. Mr Cobbe stated that the import j ant issue at this election was between private and State ownership. He said that' much harm had been done with loose talk J about “equitable distribution” and show- i ed that during- the last year there had Dean a large increase in the number of J cases of prosecutions for fraud in con-! nection with unemployment, involving some £19,000. Mr Cobbe then read several extracts from Mr J. A. Lee’s recent publication, as instancing the socialistic trend and aims of the Government. For the next hour Mr Cobbe dealt with the outstanding features of the Government’s policy and legislation. In an outline of the National policy Mr Cobbe elaborated chiefly upon the guaranteed minimum price, and the fact that the farmer should own his own produce; that tiie tenants oGovernment houses would bo given an opportunity to own them; the encouragement of the small trader and shopkeeper, and private enterprise generally, and particularly the restoration of the right of the appeal to the Courts, showing mat in no fewer than three cases the Minister was at present the final judge. His last “tit-bit” said Mr Cobbe was the grant or £IOO to young married couples. This had been made a joke of, but it was really a serious matter. (Laughter). At question time the speaker had to undergo a brisk barrage of questions. Mr Smith at New Plymouth had stated that 77 candidates had helped to draw up the policy for the National Party. How did Mr Cobbe square that statement with his own assertion that the policy had been decided upon by the 19 elected members? Mr Cobbe replied that he liimself had been piesent at the deliberations of the party and the facts were as he had stated. “If your party is returned to power, will they come back to the country in four years or ten?” was a further question. “There is no need to say ‘if,’ ” replied the candidate, amid laughter. “When my party is returned to power, I shall be back again in three years, and after having such an enjoyable meeting to-night. I shall be pleased to come again and ask for another three years.” “What will happen if the guaranteed minimum price is Is and the butter drops to say Gd? You say you will not reduce wages or cut pensions. What will you do when the next slump comes?” “We’ll have to deal with that when it

1 comes,” was the reply. Air L. H. Yarrall moved a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Cobbe as the member to represent tho Manawatu after the 15th of the month. Mr E. J .Arnott seconded the motion, which was declared carried on the voices. Regrettable Incident. On Saturday evening, some time before midnight, a placard erected by the local .branch of the National Party, was destroyed. Members of both the Nationalist and Labour parties of the district unite ; I in condemning this stupid act, which was ■ j evidently the work of purely irresponsible persons. School Committee. | The monthly meeting- of the school : committee was held on Monday evening, Mr W. J. Amies presiding. The attendance at the school has considerably im- : proved since the beginning of this term, being an average of 75 out of a roll of 87. i There are still a few cases of measles, all ; of them children who had been affected ; : during previous epidemics. During uie . last two months the school has begun with the P. 0.5.8. School Savings’ system, 1 and pupils were availing themselves of the scheme. Mr Lange has visited tho i school and expressed his pleasure at the increase in the entries for the gardening . competition. The head teacher, Mr W. A. • Churchill, pointed out that the steady : spring growth had meant that it was too t much for he senior boys to keep the ’ lawns in order, and asked that outside . assistance should be obtained. The com ; mittee resolved to employ labour for one I or two days to have the extensive grounds i put in order. It was also decided to puri chase 100 white escallonias and plant a : heedge on the southern side of the school.