GENERAL ELECTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 2 December 1922, Page 8

GENERAL ELECTION

MR R. -P. HUDSON, M.P., AT TAKA K A.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

There was an attendance of about two hundred at the Oddfellows’ Hall to hear Mr Hudson’s address on Wednesday evening, including most of our leading citizens and settlers and a fair sprinkling of ladies. Mr Geo. Winter, county chairman, •took the chair, and briefly introduced the speaker, Mr Hudson, who was treated to a round of applause on rising to "speak. Mr Hudson explained why he was unable to visit this end of his electorate sooner and proceeded to review the financial position of New Zealand. Four years ago the armistice was sign- 1 e d—since then the cost of living had advanced considerably—industrial interest had everywhere , retarded recovery, and adverse markets for our primary products had all combined to ptit Nevy (Zealand finances in a very bad state. Our annual expenditure before the war was £12,000,000, now it was £28,000,000, duo entirely to. the war. Revenue on the other hand had fallen off. Last year income taxes produced 2| millions less, .and there was a balance of £600,000- still unpaid under this head and £300,000 unpaid on account of land tax. The Prime Minister ‘ does not intend to inflict undue hardship in enforcing payments of those items. REDUCING COST OF LIVING

Mr Hudson explained the reason of the Government reducing the land income taxation, viz., to reduce the cost of living and also to relievo unemployment. By reducing income tax to large business concerns the price of commodities was brought down and by relieving the big land owner of some of his burden of taxation, it enabled him to put on labour to effect improvements which would otherwise have been beyond his power. The War Bonds, being exempted from income tax, Mr Hudson explained very clearly how' this came about. This measure was put through, not by the Massey Government, who, however, are being severely criticised on this head, but by the Coalition Government. Taxation on tea, another much criticised item, Mr Hudson explained, was passed evidence on by all sections of the House at the instigation of Sir Joseph Ward, who said that this tax was absolutely essential to enable the Government to'.increase the Old Age Pension; from 10/- to 15/- per week, jftp one should object to assisting such a worthy claim as this. The new Customs Bill, which Mr Hudson charaotte rized as a splendidly drawn up measure provides relief in taxation to consumers of £IOO,OOO per annum, hind this relief acts' in greater proportion on the poorer classes of the : community. Other-relief given by the present Government were advances to settlers, which had enabled such a largo number of smaller men to carry bn who would otherwise have to go under. The Government realising that better times are coming have graded the repayments so that as times improve the rates of repayment-' increase year by year. Sheep: and mutton. —Mr Hudson stated during the war the flocks of the world fell off till there is now a shortage of 100 million sheep of which New Zealand shows 4 million. As cotton is likely to bo in short supply, the demand for wool is sure t<> increase and the future of this industry appears very bright. Beef prospects are still poor and with the tremendous opposition of. South America, likely to remain so. Daily produce, Mr Hudson waxed particularly warm -over,■- and declared the possibilities of this industry to be very rosy, but impressed on his hearers to weigh the question well of organising the industry _ which at present is not being run in fairness to the Now Zealand producer. London practically dominates the position at present and'Mr Hudson strongly advocated the formation of a dairy pool to handle our butter on similar lines to the meat pool. He asked his hearers to study this matter seriously and give, their wholehearted support to the; New Zealand Daily Association in their endeavour to put matters on a _ correct footing. Oh the general position and prospects of this dominion, Mr-Hudson was • very optimistic. Primaiy products were increasing in quantity and appreciating in value, and with regard to secondary industries, the pew reciprocity agreement with Australia was going to mean a very good thing for New Zealand.

ASSISTANCE. TO INDUSTRIES Mr Hudson said in the south of New Zealand we had numei’dus' ,big concerns manufacturing ploughs, stores, (machinery and what, not who cou.ld trade to, a large extent with Australia. Hitherto(hey paid from 30 to <lO per cent duty there. Now this has been removed. With regard to imports •from Australia, Mr 1 Hudson mentioned as now oh the free list —electrical goods of all descriptions which were formerly dutiable, but now free. Seeing the future of electricity in New Zealand this means a very big saving to the community. Mr Hudson then Spoke of Government actions which had been severely criticised by the Opposition—among the payment to Sir Duncan Elliot of £30,000 in commissions for one thing was clearly explained and any idea of extravagance or misuse of funds dissipated. The payment being to the firm , of Elliott and Carruthers (not as frequently stated to Sir Duncan Elliott) and the money being merely well-earned commission charged on a low scale for adequate service rendered in connection with the purchase and supervising, of construction of rolling stock for Government railways. ' Mr Hudson referred*, at some length to statements made by his opponent Mr R. Patterson and at the same time stated that tp- make personal reference to any one Opposing him was against the grain, but certain statements against himself or his party he considered it his duty to reply to. The Statement that Mr Hudson did not know his electorate and did not go round it was vigorously refuted, likewise Mr Patterson’s discourse on a State bank. In the latter, connection Mr Hudson stated Mr Patterson did not know what lie Was talking about and the wild statement that the profia from tho State bank would clear off our national debt in 50 years was quite exploded. An extract from the Sydney Bulletin which showed the working of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ■ (State Bank) arid contrasted it with the Bank of New Zealand, was a crusher as far as state bariks were concerned, and incidentally was a great testiriionial to those responsible for the arrangement with tho Bank of New Zealand: Mr Hudson explained that the matter of a state bank for this Dominion had been thoroughly gone into by the it inance Committee of the House and exip ert evidence taken from all available sources with the result that- a- decision was arrived at that a State Bank at best could only be a duplicate of the P r f“ sent Bank of N.Z. and would, lead to a great loss in present revenue. Mr, Patterson’s remarks re, the Government not putting an embargo on,gojd exporting during the war wei-e sWwn to be quite, fallacious and_ ins criticising the appointment of as Director of Forestry m Zealnad was contradicted. 1 he gentleman i

question being a Canadian of highest authority on the subject with great experience in forestry in Canada and moreover a man who fought with the Canadians. . Regarding Mr Patterson and his present Liberal-Labour ticket, Mr Hudson showed that .until very recently Mr i atterson and his brothers were supporters of the Massey Government, and Mr Pntterson endeavoured to secure a nomination in the Reform interests from Mr Massey for Boiler. Mr Hudson touched on the closing of the Taiakohe Cement Works' and read Mr Justice Sims opinion on the agreement, which stated no illegal act had been committed therein. RETURNED SOLDIERS,

What the Government had done and .was now doing for returned soldiers on the land was explained by the speaker who justified the Government’s present action in incurring fresh expense to relieve the soldiers of undue hardship caused by previous mistakes in land values and in putting the wrong n\an on the land in many cases. Mr Hudson in conclusion earnestly entreated his hearers to weigh the posi-t-on carefully, and before doing anything to upset the party in power, to consider what alternative they had. The issue, so the speakel’ declared, lay in the choice of Mr Massey or bf Mr Holland as the leader bf the next' Parliament. As for himself, Mr Hudson declared his willingness to stand br fall on his past performances. Mr Hudson spoke for nearly two hours and was accorded a patient and attentive hearing and was frequently applauded. A call by the chairman for questions brought quite a number to their feet. Mr T. Hetson questioned Mr Hudson’s sincerity in his endeavours to have the cement*works were opened, and expressed surprise that nothing was done to help the workers during the period of unemployment. Mr Hudson defended his actions in this matter and explained the delay in getting work on the Wainere Boat! started. , , * '■ Mr C. P. Reilly asked why did Mr Hudson vote for the Marriage Amendment Bill and also .asked if ho was in favour of more permits for country racing clubs. Mr Hudson replied to the "first that it was a matter of law and not of religion, and expressed himself in favour of increased racing permits to country clubs. Questions were also asked re the purchase of railway rolling stock in England as against New Zealand, and also re Government’s manufacture of fertilizers. Both these questions ware satisfactorily answered. A question as to raising of revenue to replace the liquor duties, if Prohibition is carried was answered in that Mr Massey had arranged for a full house to settle this as soon as the result is known in the event of such a happening. ....... A question as to the third cut in civil servants salaries was exploded by the member emphasizing The fact that there were no “cuts” in salaries below; £BOO a year! The so-called cuts being merely reductions in bonuses granted over and above salaries. , A hearty vote of thanks to Mr ttnelson for his able address and confidence in him as our member, was proposed, hut at Mr Hudson’s request the confidence clause was deleted and the vote was carried by acclamation.

LIST OF CANDIDATES Appended'is"a full list of candidates at the general election north island BAY OF ISLANDS _ ♦Reed, V. 11. T "• Bell, Allen l ... . MARSDEN Jones, W. • f Murdoch, A. J. , , - KAIPAEA ♦Coates, Hon. J. G. “• Hornblow, R. E. Llb - Lab ’ WAITBMATA *Harris, A . T t r i ’ Burbush, F. H. Lib.-Lab. Way, R. F. Lab- * EDEN „ ♦Parr, Hon. C. J. T | ‘ Morton, F e S< . ***** Mason, H. G. R. a Lab ‘ AUCKLAND EAST ♦Mackenzie, Clutha T Rj T A Lab. ’ AUCKLAND CENTRAL *Parry, W. E. Lab ‘ Glover, A. E. _ : AUCKLAND WEST ♦Savage, M. J. ja p‘ FarIC V- GREY LYNN t ♦Bartram, F. N. E ab - Holdsworth, W. JROSKILL l? ♦Potter, V. H. Skelton, A. Hall 7 1 Melville, Miss E. “• Purtell. J. Lab. . MANAKAU -Lang, Sir F. W. _ f Jordan, W. J. . \ Lab. Adnams, W. H. FRANKLIN ♦Massey, Rt. Hon. W. F. . RRea, j: Lib.-Lab. ■ RAGLAN Bollard, R. F. T u’ Lye, S. Lib.-Lab. ♦Riggott , A ‘ fa ' THAMES . ♦Rhodes, T. W. _ „ _ «■ Allpn, W. A. : - - Lib.-Lab. Whiteside, J. •• OHINEMURI ♦Poland, H. ; Lib.-Lab. Allen, Colonel S. S. . TAURANGA ♦Herries, Sir W. Johnstone, L. A,‘JHAMILTON _ ♦Young, J. A. "• Richards, A. S. Lab. Lafferty, 0. } Pa ■ WAIKATO Lye, F. Lib.-Lab. Johnston, J. T. **. Dent, A. G. ROTORUA ♦Hockly, F. F. T Clinkard, C. Lib.-Lab. BAY OF PLENTY ♦Williams, K. S. . (Elected unopposed;., WAITOMO , ♦Jennings, W. T. Lib.-Lab. Rolleston, J. G. GISBORNE ♦Lysnar, W. D. R - Wildish, G. . Lib.-Lab. Brindle, T. Lab. HAWKES BAY Russell, Sir A. _ R - Mackay, G. Lib.-Lab. Chapman, C. H. Lab. . . NAPIER - ♦Brown, J. V. RJnll, A. E. L Mason, J. ~ , "• M'llvride, L. Lab. WAIPAWA _ ♦Hunter, Sir G.. , T T "• Langridge, J. J. Lib.-Lab. PAHIATUA ♦M'Nicol, A. . * T Ransome. E. A. Lib.-Lab. MASTERTON ♦Sykes, G. R. _ , • Evans, F. C. , Lab. Holms, A. C. 1.-Lab. WATRARAPA *M‘Lond, A. D. T «• Card, J. W. Lib.-Lab. STRATFORD , T t ♦Masters, R. Lib.-Lab. Hine, J. B. RTARANAKI ♦Smith, S. G. LL Bellringer, 0. E. R Tweedio, G. A . EGMONT A ♦Hawken, 0. ~ R Astbury, D. L. A. Lib.-Lab

PATEA •Dixon, E. R. Pearce, G. V. R. Corrigan, J. Rl Lib.-Lab. WANGANUI Writ oh, W. A. Lib.-Lab. Ross, J. ’ Lab. Coull, J. • R. W AIM A RING •Smith, R. W: Lib.-Lab. M'Leari, D. D. R. Langstone, F. Lab. Goldfinch, G. J. ... / Lib.-Lab. Littlewood, H. W. B. Lib.-Lab-OBOUA *Guthrie, Hon. D. H. B. Cobbe, R. Lib.-Lab. . MANAWATU Linklater, J. RWhibley, W. . Lab. J. Flyger Lib.-Lab. RANGITIKEI •Glenn,. W. S. ‘ B. Brady, F. F. Lab. Montgomery, 11. S. L. PALMERSTON NORTH •Nash, J. A. EChristensen, V. A. Lab. Hodgens, J. Lab. OTAKI •Field. W. H. RM'Clure, G. H. M. Lib.-Lab. Harkness, C. I, _____ IRHXJTT •Wilford, T. M, Lib.-Lab. Pritchard, D. K. Lab. Bennett, H. D. RWELLINGTON NORTH •Luke, Sir J. P. , RYoung, J. Lib.-Lab. Combs, H. E. Lab. WELLINGTON CENTRAL •Fraser, P. Lab. Bennett, W. H. _ R Sievwright. A. B. Lib.-Lab. WELLINGTON EAST Forsyth, T. I . R M'Vicar, Mrs A. IR M'Donald. T. W. I. Monteith, A. Xj. Lab. WELLINGTON SOUTH •Mitchell. G. !■ M'Kcen, R . , Lab, WELLINGTON SUBURBS •Wright, R. A. R Croskery, A. W. Lab. SOUTH ISLAND

NELSON ♦Atmore, H. Lib.-Lab. Gilbert, A. RMOTUEKA ♦Hudson, R. P. RPatterson, R. Lib.-Lab. BULLER ♦Holland, H. E. Lab. Menzies, J. LR. WESTLAND ♦Seddon, T. E. Y. Lib.-Lab. Steer, J. R. O’Brien, J. Lab. Lynch, J. D. LR. WAIRAU ♦M'Callum, R. I.L. Girling, W. J. R. HURUNUI ♦Forbes, G. W. Lib.-Lab. Andrew, S. R. KAIAPOI ♦Jones, D. R. Buddo, Hon. D. Lib.-Lab. Martin, R. I). 1.-Lab. CHRISTCHURCH NORTH ♦lsitt, L. M. Lib.-Lab. Archer, Rev. J. K. Lab. Andrews, E. H. LR. CHRISTCHURCH EAST ♦Thacker, H. T. J. Lib.-Lab. Armstrong, H. T. Lab. Devereux, W. R. t RCHRISTCHURCH SOUTH ♦Howard, E. J. Lab. Ell, H. G. L. Lane, H. C. R. Thompson, R. M. R- ■ RICCARTON ♦Witty, G. Lib. Kyle, H. S. S. R. McCullough, J. A. Lab. AVON ♦Sullivan, D. G. , Lab. Herbert, Mrs A. E. I. Loach, A. E. RRussell, Hon. G. W. L. LYTTELTON ♦M‘Combs, J. Lab. Macartnev, R. R. ELLESMERE , ♦Rhodes, Sir R. A RFree, J. C. Lib.-Lab. ASHBURTON; ♦Nosworthy, Hon. W. R. Jones, H. M. s, . , LL. Cooke} F. R. 'jLab, TIMARU /■/*■ Rolleston, F. J. , RVinnell, P. C. Lab. TEMUKA ♦Burnett, T. D’. RLangford, T. H, Lib.-Lab. Needham, P. RA < ,!• WAITAKI ♦Bitchencr, J. RPaul, W. J. Lab. OAM ARU ♦Lee, Hon. E. P. , _ RMacpherson, J. A. ' Lib.-Lab. DUNEDIN NORTH ♦Munro, J. W. Lab. Clark, J. J. V RDUNEDIN WEST ♦Stewart, Hon. W. D. RMoss, C. M. . Lab. DUNEDIN CENTRAL ♦Statham, C. E. Lib.-Lab. Gilchrist, J. Lab. Maslin, W. S. 1.-L.-Lab. DUNEDIN SOUTH ♦Sidey, T. K. Lib.-Lab. MacManus, J. E. Lab. CHALMERS ♦Dickson, J. M‘o. R. Stephens, J. Lab. CLUTHA ♦Malcolm, A. S. , ,R. ♦Edie, J. Lib.-Lab. WAKATIPU ♦Horn, J. Lib.-Lab. Ritchie, J. RMATAURA ♦Anderson, Hon. G. J. R. M'Dougall, D. - Lib.-Lab. WALLACE ♦Hamilton, A. R. Thompson, J: C. Lib.-Lab. INVERCARGILL ♦Hanan, Hon. J. A. LLArmstead, J. R. Farrant. H. J. Lab. AWARUA ♦Hamilton, J. R. RDe la Perclle, P. Lib.-Lab. MTntyre, N. . L The names of the members of the last Parliament are indicated by an asterisk. R. signifies Reform; 1.R., Independent Reform; Lib.-Lab., Liberal-La-bour; Lab., Labour ; 1.,"' Independent ; 1.L., Independent Liberal; P. 0.. Progressive Oppositionist,