MR H. M. RUSHWORTH, M.P.

Northern Advocate, 14 June 1935, Page 2

MR H. M. RUSHWORTH, M.P.

MEETING AT FAIRBURN. Despite the inclement weather conditions, there was a good attendance at Mr H. M. Rushworth’s meeting, held in the Fairburn-Kaiaka Hall on Tuesday evening last. Mr J. M. Dawson was voted to the chair, and in his opening remarks stated that the purpose of our member’s visit to the district was to meet the residents privately or publicly and give an outline of recent legislation in the House. At the speaker’s request, matters of local interest were dealt with first. The first matter put before Mr Rushworth was the urgent need for straightening the Fairburn main highway. Several speakers, including Messrs. J. M. Dawson, J. W. Hoskin, H. Parker, A. G. Buckingham and T. J. Coulter, stated that this was probably the most crooked portion of the main highway north of. Auckland, and that many of the corners were really dangerous for the large volume of traffic now using the road. As county finances would not stand the strain, the speakers asked if Mr Rushworth would assist in having this most urgent need attended to. In reply, the member stated that there was little hope of gaining assistance through the Highways; Board, which had no funds for construction work. The only other avenue was through the Unemployment Board, but as the money expended by them was allocated all over the Dominion, according to the degree of urgency, he could see little hope in this direction either. However, he would leave no stone unturned in his endeavour to have this work done.

Messrs. T. J. Coulter and J. W. Hoskin then spoke of the need for the completion of Otukai road, and also for the ■ repair of extensive damage caused by the recent heavy rains. In reply, it was stated in reference to the repair work, it, was necessary for the move to come from the County Council, and a small Government grant might then be obtained. With the present state of county finances in most districts, there was the imminent danger of all roads falling into very rapid disrepair. Dealing with recent legislation, Mr Rushworth stated that there were three Acts of outstanding importance to the farming community. They were really revolutionary in character, and a tremendous amount depended on the manner of their administration. The Agricultural Emergency Powers Act dealt with all classes of farming activities. The new Dairy Board was set up according to this Act, and in addition to exercising all the powers of the old board, it had many other duties, including the control of production. Inspectors would be appointed! who had the right to> issue or withhold licenses from dairy farmers. In addition, all dairy factories must obtain licenses before they were permitted to manufacture. Mr Rushworth then outlined the Mortgage Corporation Act, which will take over all the lending activities of the State. The corporation was willing to take over all private mortgages. In reply to the considerable amount of criticism aimed at this Act, no really good explanation of the need for the corporation had been advanced. The speaker’s candid opinion was that it was to enable the maximum pressure to be placed on the Government debtors. . The Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Act dealt only with farmers. Adjustment commissions would be set up and courts of review, presided over by a Supreme Court Judge, would investigate cases individually. The technicalities of the -Act were explained, and although it had been stated by the Government that this legislation would be to the advantage of the farmer, he personally could.! not conceive of any assistance being forth‘coming. Mr Rushworth then spoke for a short time on the question of money. The trouble in the world! today was not the lack of food, clothing, material or skill, but the lack of money, or the medium of exchange, and the forthcoming general election would hinge very largely on this point. ; At the conclusion of his address, the speaker answered a number of questions. Asked if he could see any hope of improvement in the near future, Mr Rushwcrth stated that the election towards the end of the year afforded the people an excellent opportunity of effecting a change. The next five years would be of paramount importance, in which decisions of far-reaching effect would be made. The meeting concluded with votes of thanks to the speaker and chairman.