Many Interjections, Questions For Lane

Northern Advocate, 14 November 1949, Page 4

Many Interjections, Questions For Lane

KERIKERI, Mon. (Sp.).—Labour’s candidate for Hobson, Mr W. E. Lane, faced the most vigorous questioning of his campaign to date when he addressed 70 people in the Cathay Theatre, Kerikeri. . During the address itself there were many interjections and queries, the speaker taking time off to reply in most instances. Finally, the chairman (Mr H. T. Bates) rose to ask the meeting to refrain from premature questioning and to remind the audience that there was supposed to be only one person giving an address.

His action followed evident symptoms of dissatisfaction from the body of the theatre and was followed by a warm round of applause

When a persistent heckler, unabashed by this admonition from the chair, interrupted again, he was invited by another member of the audience:—

Mr T. Wall asked if Mr Lane was in favour of capital punishment and was informed that statistics had proved that hanging had not been a deterrent, “and, while they prove that, I could not be in favour of it.”

'Tell us your life history!” LAND DEVELOPMENT POLICY

Queried by a woman as to his stand on compulsory military training, MiLane said the people had decided that issue by direct vote and he considered he would have no right to take his own stand. DICTATION TO GOVERNMENT Mr Riddle rose once more to ask if any outside bodies should be allowed to dictate to the country’s elected representatives—as, he said, had happened to the Prime Minister at the Easter Conference.

When question time eventually came, the candidate faced a veritable barrage. First to rise was Mr S. H. Jolly, who commented that he believed Mr Lane was on the wrong side of the political fence. His refox-ms would not be accepted by his own Government and, in any case, they would ruin "us fai-mers.”

The chairman requested questions only, and not speeches, and Mr Jolly then asked: Does Mr Lane believe in the land policy of the present Government? “I think there is room for improvement,” said Mr Lane. ‘‘The Government's land policy needs varying and extending.

“It’s a system that has been carried on since Governments were formed,” answered Mr Lane, “and it’s not peculiar to the Labour movement. Others did it behind an iron curtain, however. With us, it has been openly.” A motion of “thanks to Mr Lane and of complete and utter confidence in the Labour Government as the Gov-ei-nment of this country,” was proposed by Mr V. B. Ballard, with Mr R. Moselen seconding.

“The Government has been advised by departmental officers who have not had sufficient practical experience.” Mr Jolly: Do you believe in private enterprise in the opening up of land?

Mr Lane: Yes, on a conti-act basis. There should be a certain freedom of contract.

After having called for amendments, the chairman asked the meeting to carry it by acclamation. This was done.

SOCIAL CREDIT THEME

Mr J. Riddle asked: Does Mr Lane think he can hammer into the present Government the Social Cedit theme he has put to us tonight? Mr Lane: Yes I do. I say that from certain information I have received.

Mr Lane thanked the meeting and promised, if elected, to endeavour always to contact all parts of the electorate when time permitted.

Mr Riddle: Lee tried it. and you saw what happened to him—and 10 Langstone.

Mr Lane: Yes, and lam prepared to try it too (applause). To a lady who queried him on the matter of state housing allocations, the speaker said the departmental side of this and other systems needed changing. Mr Riddle next raised the question of road rates, and Mr Lane urged that the national credit, if used properly, would make rates necessary for, maintenance work only. POWER SCHEMES Mr P. Padbury asked: Does the candidate believe in the decentralisation of power schemes? Mr Lane: X believe the Works Department ought to reticulate an area on the same financial system on which the hydro-electric stations are built, and the power boards should only administer the supply of power from the boundary of the farm to the house or the shed.

Mr Padbury: 1 meant the smaller power schemes—not the large ones. Mr Lane: Do you mean, would our local-water power be sufficient for our needs? The Works Department has surveyed a number of sites in Northland and says we do not have sufficient power. “However, I am not an engineer or surveyor and I cannot disprove it,” he added. “The Government is putting in another transmission line to Northland, which should give us a more continuous supply.” REVIEW 1942 VALUES When Mr Riddle asked whether he agreed with the 1942 land values as used in Land Sales hearings. Mr Lane said that city houses had lately been taken at 1943 and 1949 prices. As for 1942. it was necessary to have a basis. He considered the farmer had been penalised to some extent.

“We have reached the peak of internal prices, and I think we must look to whether the 1942 basis is still in the best interests of the community,” he said.

“Many of the field inspectors are not practical men and that needs. overhauling.” Mr Riddle: I can agree with you. You’re on the wrong side, old man. Another questioner asked whether the candidate advocated expansion of New Zealand’s oil deposits. Mr Lane: Yes. Under the previous Government the oil companies bought them and closed them down. IRONSTONE LANDS Mr S. H. Jolly then asked, apropos of land development, why the Kapiro block of ironstone land north of Waipapa, covering 20,000 acres, had not been developed prior to election year. “Frankly, I don’t know,” said MiLane. “Had I been there as long as Mr Smith I would have known. (Applause).