CAMPAIGN NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 November 1928, Page 11

CAMPAIGN NOTES

WITH THE CANDIDATES POINTS FROM SPEECHES Sir di'soph Ward bad mud..! Ihe charge that Ihe pre.cut OoTCrumenl, hud increased every form of Lixaliun and lhat. ii had increased particularly the taxation of the small men. said .Mr Downie Stewart in his address to the electors oi Diinedin West, "b'o far from increasing the taxation on all classes of the community," said Mr Stewart, "the Govern. inent has remitted more than £3,132,000 in taxation annually."

"The Government conns before Ihe electors." Mr Coatcs said at Dannevirke,

"no| defending itself, not apologising, but with colours Hying, for we have got the country's credit up to the highest point in its history. The Government has raised the status of (he people, and it has a policy worthy of your consideration."

Mr Dowiiio Stewart informed his audience in the Foresters' Hall at Dunedin, that on his way to Core on the previous day ho had beard about a woman who proposed to vote against him. He was rather surprised at the information, but on making inquiries he had found out that she boarded at the same house as one of his committee-men, and that her complaint was that the committee-man monopolised the bath every morning. •'[ told that committee-man," said Mr Stewart, "that he was not to have another bath until after the election."

Another new title, suggested I).V the huge borrowing scheme, iias been found lor the United Parly. Mr S. M. Macalisler, Sir Joseph Ward's opponent in Invercargill. has dabbed ii (he J.0.1'. Party! " .

"I'm not your trust in Independents, for, as their name suggests, they are independable."—Mr .1. Robinson at the South Dunedin. Town Hall.

"Mr Downie Stewart has compared us to the .Mustard Club," said Sir Joseph Ward, leader of the United Party, at the Dunedin railway station. "Weil, I notice that Mr Coatcs lias been photographed with his coat off, and lie is evidently trying to keep his head cool." Sir Joseph added that the Mustard Club was supposed to be a very hot shop, and it was apparent that Mr Downie Stewart was in such a state of financial perspiration and difficulty that lie was trying to associate them with him in a hot place such as the Mustard Club. "Well, they will find us pretty hot opposition," concluded Sir Joseph amid laughter and applause.

A dramatic incident at Dannevirke was the manner in which Mr Coatcs gave the lie direct to the whispering campaign, that has been in operation some time. Hitherto he has ignored it,leaving it to the good sense of the people^of New Zealand who know him to assess it at its proper worth. Thursday -night's incident arose casually as the result of an. interjection about champagne. "Oh. I know the whispering campaign that is going on," he said. A voice: "Don't take any notice of it." The Prime Minister : "I don't. I don't suggest where it comes from, but I know where it was started. It is an old form of attack, but I think I know the people of New Zealand well enough to realise that they appreciate why it is made. (Applause.) When some people can't attack you politically, they try some underhand trick. No man . could do my job if ho was not lit, and he could "not keep fit unless be is abstemious. I suppose 1 work harder than any man in this country. 1 have never let up, and I never spare myself while there is a job to be done." Three cheers were given for the Prime Minister, and with another smile Mr Coatcs proceeded with bis speech. » * * *

"In view of the fact that Mr Lysnar admitted on Tuesday evening that Sir Francis Bell, Leader of the Legislative Council, was practically the controlling power in the Coates Government, although not an elected representative of the people, can the candidate tell us how he would bring in all the reforms which he favours?" The question was asked at one of Mr Fred Lysnar's meetings in Auckland. Jumping out of his chair, Mr Lysnar replied vigorously: "You just send me down there, and you would _ see how I'd bring about my reforms!" A Voice: "You'd go- to sleep with the rest of them !"

"Honoraria to members of Parliament should be cut out altogether," said Mr J. J. Clark, Independent Reform candidate for Wellington Fast, "I am prepared to go into the House without any Honorarium at all. 1 know I won't be at all popular, but my firm belief is that if the honoraria were done away with you would get better representatives 'in Parliament,. (Laughter.) At any rate, if you want to economise and can get others to think the same way, there is one way of doing it."

Stressing the fact that there were but two parties that counted in the House, Reform and Labour, Mr Charles Todd remarked, "When a division is taken Reform goes into one lobbv and Labour into the other. Where will the Cnited

° And a voice answered from the middle of the hall: "To the other place." Amid laughter, the candidate said that he would not care to interpret the intericctor's remark. J * * * *

"In a licensed district you always know where to find a man who is fond of liquor —you look in Ihe pub and there he is," said iMr I'Ted Lysnar (Reform) at Auckland. "But it's different in nolicense areas. When a man has been filled with sly grog, they throw him into a bunk ill a back room, and keep him there till he's sober." "Ah. von've been behind the Scenes!

"I know what I'm talking about, retorted Mr Lysnar. "You could look till tin' cows' come home, and you wouldn't find the man. Liquor is to be had in those dry areas by the case, cask and demijohn. Give me a couple of hours, and I could got you a bathful, or a tu'bful." "Could you put 7iie on I" it " rasped a dry voice, from a window, which framed several grinning faces. * * » * Placards posted up in Devonport on behalf of Mr A. Harris. Reform candidate, have been mutilated with more discernment than is usually shown by rabid part" adherence. The woi'ds "Tried and Trusted" have been altered to read "Tried and Busted," and in some cases "Fried and Busted."

"Well, you ate a Scotsman. Von want, mo to wager against inysell." said Mr Coates with a laugh al Dannevirke in an interjector who, in the 'broadest Done, offered to lav some money on the results of the election next Wedncsdav. "Vol! are quite right lo bade us, for

■!„. , .ids ; ,rc all with us." said Mr Coates. "We have shown thai we have carried on the affairs of ihe country Oil common-sense, business lines. There is nothing fancy about us, noi boom and burst, no temporary prosperity and the inevitable aftermath of depression. There it no class legislation ■ just a

siraigld forward, honest policy, clear foi everybody In see • and. believe me, llu people of New Zealand have seen lhat. I know ; 1 have been around Ihe conn try. .My informal ion is good."

" rile main plank of the Liberal plat form was said liy be the hurst ing up of big estates; ami yet after I heir (the V\'ard (!oce: oiiu'i.'f i long term in power land monopoly was still a crying evil.

Ooiimu't ci d monopoly «'' • '" be .seen on every li.iii.iJ, and in consequence (he pn v of living had gonii up. The wbolesal • spending </f money, borrowed money iel it be reiiieni'bere'd. has had the el'feel of inhaling land values l-ni such an extenl that the Land Seltlenieut A< I was imw practically a dead letter. Mr Veiteli condemned the Ward Government for its exercise of political patronage and its bidding for support by voting ihe money spent in various districts. II was being said that if a district wanted money it ought to put a Government. man in. We have come to a stage when the Advances to Settlers Act has broken down, or very nearly broken down. There are many causes for its having broken down. One reason is the fuel that has already been mentioned—-that cheap monov has raised the price of laud."

Here we have Mr Veitch's opinion of Sir Joseph Ward in 1911 -the same Sir Joseph Ward that Mr Veiled belauds lm the slues to-day (says the " Dominion"). Here we have also, practically every plank in the platform oh which Sir Joseph Ward is going to the country to-day whole-heartedly condemned by the present, chairman of his party when that gentleman was independent of him. Mr Veiteli got into Parliament by condemning that policy in 1911. He may go out for changing front in 1928. But Mr Ve.ilch is of less importance than 'the light his utterances throw on Sir Joseph Ward's failures when in office.

As Sir Joseph, Ward stepped oil the south-bound express at Dunedin be was greeted with a shower of confetti. A look of astonishment passed over the face of the leader of the United Party, but it changed to a smile of comprehension when he. observed that it was meant for a bridal couple about to'board the train. "It is the first time in my political career that I have had the inexpressible pleasure of standing up I" speak after being covered with confetti," said Sir Joseph amid laughter, "and I may add that I wish the "young couple every happiness in the future." (Applause.) * * « »

A questioner at one of Mr Fred Lysnar's meetings in Auckland thought he was going to score off the chairman, Mr J. A. C. Allum, but the chairman of the City Council Tramways Committee was too quick for him. ".Mr Chairman." asked the man. "f would like to ask the candidate if he would be in favour of abolishing the duty on alum. (Loud laughter.) "The candidate need not answer the question," replied Mr Allum, smiling broadly. "It goes without saying—you cannot have too much alum in the country!" (Applause and laughter). * * * »'

"What is your opinion of the Singapore Base?" was a question asked Mr R. W. Hall, Labour candidate for Dunedin South, when addressing a meeting at St. Clair.

"Well," said Mr Hall, "if the experts say that the base is necessary, and the experts' recommendations are given effect to, then we must agree to it."

"The way to 'get' these people is to ask them what public, works they would cut out':" remarked the Prime .Minister at I'ahiatua when dealing with charges of squandering levelled against the Government. "They will never say. All they want is that the other fellow's works should be deleted." The Govern, ment, said Mr Coatcs, had made the Public Works programme non-political, and it was based solely on the needs of the Dominion as a whole. (Applause.)

Speaking at Karangahake, Mr A. M. Samuel, Reform candidate for Thames, referred to the proposal to establish crushing facilities in Ohinemuri. He said he was quite satisfied the Government would stand by its offer and the grant already included in the Supplementary Estimates; If the Government failed in this, he would resign from the party, » * » »

Sir Charles Statham (Speaker in the last Parliament) and again contesting a Dunedin seat, said : "I am fighting this election on the assumption that I will ihe re-elected to the Speakership. If, through any unforeseen contingency, 1 should not be re-elected to that office, or, being re-elected, should relinquish it, I will resign my seat and submit myself again to the electors. The electors would then have the opportunity of hearing me speak untrammelled by the restrictions imposed on me at present by my inability to express my views on party politics."

A clever adaptation of Reform's criticism of the Ward millions was used to advantage by Mr F. R. Allen, United candidate for Auckland Suburbs, when addressing a New Lynn audience. "It is borrow," he said, ''to lend again for vigorous land settlement, and for mortgages on homes,.at exactly what the money would cost —-approximately per cent, instead of 7 per cent, as demantled by the banks and private mortgagees. "It is boom land settlement, and so increase productivity and prosperity. "It is burst the "stranglehold of'the banks, the mortgagees and the big landowners 1" (Applause.) * * * * Some suggestions of possi'ble value when the licensing question is again being considered by Parliament were made at a meeting addressed by Air \V. C. Hewitt, United candidate for Auckland Central.

"I am prepared to close the hotels at 1 o'clock on Saturday, just as ordinary shopkeepers have to do," said the candidate to one questioner. "And will you have them opened until 9 o'clock on Friday night, like the shops, too?" asked a hopeful voice. Air Hewitt was dubious about carrying reform that far.

"The rural credits scheme is not taking iiu and there was no justification whatever for it. Had the (Juverninent endowed the State Advances Office with sufficient money there would have been no need for rural credits or for sending Mr Poison abroad."—Air Perrelle at Waikiwi.

Air Charles Todd, speaking to a crowded hall at St. Clair, predicted a period of prosperity for the Dominion which would commence very soon. "The signs are here," he added, "and I would ask you not to think of changing the Administration for one that could not do bettor and would more than probably do a lot worse/'

Some of. the electors of Wellington Central have been for years notorious for their disregard of the British principle of free speech and fair play. They have invariably heckled candidates opposed to Labour and have heen responsible for innumerable scenes of disorder This sort of thing has characterised the meetings of Air Dunbar Sloane, the Reform candi-

dale in flic present election. Anion" those wlki look .-i primiinenl part in the iuicrjecl ions, iic. iii Mr Kbaue's meetmg i'.ii 1-Yiduy nighl, wen: ii number uf v.i •mm. Outside tin' hall nun of Lite liiilii's. \vlni Iniil been :l! Hi" meeting, engaged in a somewhat healed argument with two others: "I Unwell von were different," sin' said In Llifin, "lint f kiiiiw vvlial von aie now, though. I am absolutely ti!>.-;•.11.f >I with yuur .behav

■ Hir." And wHh ih il sliu mi ihcd u;> her umbrella, ncimisly ami walked hi !.-,!:ly iiv: iv 1 rom her companion,.

"I am ilrlightcd tn say that 1 liuve I'l.and thai my visit to \Yyiidham lias been superfluous as far as assisting the Hon. (I. .1. Anderson is concerned, I only wish 11,at all uiu- candidates in the city seals had such a steady and smlid backing. Rut 1 wish to want you that I here is always a risk uf people thinking a .seat tow sale, and for that reason, not voting or interesting themselves in their eandidalo's behalf. I have seen sure scats gu astray before today through u'ver-cnniideiiee."- —The Minister of i-'inaiiee (Moil. \V. 1). Stewart].

''There are some hue fellows in the Labour Parly, and I've often had a cap of lea Willi them while we exchanged views," said Mr ('. Todd at Dunedin.

"Why didn't yon join up with them';'' ashed an elector. "P.oeause," replied Mr Todd, "there are certain planus in the party's platform to which I cannot subscribe—they go too far in the matter uf socialisation of industries, for instance. Apart from uric or two things, however, there is not a great, ileal of difference in our policies." * * * it The. Minister of Lands (Hon. A. D. McLeodj ul Upper Jlutt:— "'Sir Joseph Ward, as ..Minister of Finance in the National Government, is always taking credit for the surpluses which accumulated during the war period. It is a case of 'Alone I did it.' But when he criticises soldier settlement, the whole machinery for which was enacted by the .National Government, he is careful to throw the whole of the responsibility on the Reform Government!"

Thai the Government is in earnest in its desire to assist those returned soldiers who are in diliiculties was made ciear 'by the Prime .Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) in the course of his address at Foxti'«t. "Some of these men won't admit, I hey are up against it; they are cracking ipiite hardy," Mr Coates said. "The public of New Zealand docs not want that. It is our responsibility to give them a lift along in their hour of need.—(Applause.) We intend to help them, but we must have the co-opera-tion of the Returned Soldiers' Association, and we ask them to take up the work of obtaining the necessary informal ion so that each case may be dealt with on its merits. If they wdl do that we will do our part."—(Applause.)

"I should like to say a word respecting Sir Joseph Ward and his many extraordinary exaggerations in this contest," said the Minister of Lands (Mr MeLeod at Upper Hutt. "in Parliamentary circles we all, irrespective of party, have a kindly feeling towards him, recognising that in the past he has borne his full share in the development of this country, both politically and otherwise. J lis present reckless statements, however, cannot be allowed to pass unchallenged, as have many others since his return to Parliament in 1925. Although he claims to have raised £30,000,000 during his term of ollice for laud settlement, and uf having placed many thousand settlers on nine ur ten estates, the facts are that prior to 1912 only £5,049,000 had been expended ill purchase of lands for settlement purposes, and if it is added tu that amount the £10,660,000 borrowed for advances to settlers, workers, and local bodies at least one-half of which must have been lent out within borough or city limits; it only brings the total up to £16,609,000. " Again, his confusing of employees with settlers when he states that "i. 3,000 (also totally incorrect) had left the land during the last three, years, shows an entire want of appreciation uf responsibility for public utterances.''

"In my opinion there has never been such muck talked in New Zealand before as Sir Joseph Ward's financial policy." — Mr W. E. Parry, Labour candidate for Auckland Central.

■Alr N. H. Campbell at Port Chalmers: "1 am not discussing Sir Joseph Ward, because lie is not in the picture at this election. As a matter of fact, there ;iro onlv two parties in the contest —the Labour" J'arty and- the Reform Party."

"The A favor has taken it into his head to be a" Mussolini," commented Dr. Tliacker. chairman at the meeting of Air E. 11. Andrews, United candidate for Christehuroh North, referring to the Rev. J. K. Archer, Labour candidate for the same seat. "He will yet dictate to us when to blow our nose and what coloured handkerchief to affect. Last night he corrected a man's English, vet the man was perfectly correct. Surely you don't want to put a dictator into power."

"Those who want Reform, let them vote Reform, and those who want Labour, let them vote for Labour, but don't be bluffed, and vote for something which is neither one side nor the other." -The views of Air W. 11. Chetham, Labour candidate for Alarsden, en the United Party.