THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17328, 27 November 1919, Page 8

THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN.

CONTEST IN MANUKAU. SIR F. W. LANG AT ONEHUNGA. ATTITUDE ON PENSIONS. LONG-PAST VOTES RECALLED. The Government candidate and sitting member for Manukau, Sir Fredesjck Lang, addressed a gathering of some 500 electors in the Foresters' Theatre, Onehunga, last evening. The Mayo- of Onehunga, Mr. J. Park, presided at the commencement of the meeting, but on account of municipal matters requiring immediate attention, he had to relinquish it, Mr. I. Lomas, the Deputy-Mayor, taking his place. The candidate had a most attentive hearing, there being barely an interruption beyond applause, and even when a hostile sec'.ion came into evidence at question timo it was obvious that the large majority of the audience was entirely in sympathy with him. Sir Frederick said ho had had the honour of being in Parliament lor 26 j years, more than half of that timo being ■ the representative of this particular part j of the electorate. He had contested eight | or_nine elections, and he intended to 10l- | low his usual practice and refrain ] entirely from personalities. (Applause.) i Before entering into politics proper, he j made mention oi a letter which had been . published, in which certain erroneous statements had been made concerning his I position in respect to, the Protestant Poli- | tiral Association and the old age pension j scheme. The facts were that the Protes- , tant Political Association, of which ho was not a member, had sent to himas it had to other candidates— copy of its platform. Ho had not adopted the platform in its entirety. He nad answered the questions as he answered others, but in future he would adopt the practice of answering all questions from the platform. He was much opposed to the introduction of religion into politics. Vote Twenty-one Tears Old. To charge him with having voted against ©Id age pensions 21 years ago, as the writer of the letter bad done, was rather a com- • pliment- One would have thought that it would have been better to charge him with some action during the last year or two. However, at that time he had explained niß reasons to the electors and they had returned him again and again. (Applause.) If electors were to vote against him for his attitude on this cuestion 21 years ago they had equal reason for voting against the Opposition candidate, Mr. C. E. Major, for his attitodo in 1904. During the financial debate of I that year the late Mr. T. E. Taylor had I moved the following amendment: —"That! in view of the surpluses of the last few- years ! culminating in the enormous stun of I £649,740 for tho year ending March 31, | 1904, this House urges the Government to consider whether the time has arrived for either (a) increasing old age pensions or fb) granting pensions to women on j reaching the age of 60, instead of 66' years." Mr. Major, -who might have had j as good reasons as he had had on the first issue, had voted against this amend- | ment, while he had voted for it, and at least they were in the same box. (Laughter and applause.) Party Differences Deplored. Referring to the National Government, the speaker said he thought it a pity that it had divided. It should have faced the country united to clear up the many important matters arising out of the war. He deprecated the attempt to blame the Reform Party for the split, and in regard ' to Sir Joseph Ward's retirement he> ( spoke of the great difficulties under which, ! even in normal times, Ministers laboured at th« beginning of a session. He thought; it a pity that there had been division I on the gratuity question, and said he thought the attempt to "auction" the j amount was a very improper way to deal { with a payment not for services rendered, I but as a recognition of services. He con- i sidered the amount given a very fair sum ' when the financial position of the country j was considered. New Zealand, he de- j elated, had done more for its returned. soldiers than any other part of the Empire. (Applause.) His view was that no I soldier should be allowed to be in a worse j. position owing to his having gone to the 1 war. Proceeding, he detailed some of the democratic and humanitarian measures passed during last session. He advocated , an invalid pension, and considered that the old age pension should now be made universal. He also believed it necessary for the parents of large families to receive a bonus or pension according to the numoer of children. Large Grants lor Education. Continuing, Sir Frederick dealt with the cost of living. He quoted figures to! show that the increase had been lower in New Zealand than in any other part of the Empire. He declared himself to be in favour of the free, secular, and compulsory system of education and free school books, and spoke in approval of the large grant for education. Teachers' salaries should be increased and accommodation provided to remove congestion. On the question of defence, he said he was utterly and entirely opposed to the four months' camp proposal for youths, for which he thought there was no need. (Applause.) He would prefer to revert to the original school cadet system, which had had excellent results. He believed also in volunteering, which had proved its value. New Zealand's future safety, as it had done in the past, depended upon a supreme navy and on this question he said that the Government should encourage yachting and motor-boat clubs, so that a naval reserve would -be created. I The candidate referred to the measures taken to develop hydro-electric power, I and spoke of the need of encouraging I suitable immigration. Reform of the reading system was needed, and he! thought that the arterial roads should be maintained on the lines of the Victorian system. A more comprehensive scheme of railway construction was necessary. Railways should be pushed on and completed to prevent the money lying idle in unfinished lines. He did not know if the coal-mining industry would be any better if it were nationalised, but he thought at least that the Government should acquire sufficient mines to ensure its own coal wants, and also the neces-1 sary sea transport. Ferry boat services should be taken over by the State. Question of the Honorarium. Personally he had no interest in the honorarium to members, but be thought it should be increased to enable pour men to go to Parliament. He nl*o supported a superannuation scheme for members. He thought the term of Parliament should be five instead of three yoar« to give three "working years" instead of one as at present. On the subject of labour, the candidate said he considered that a. better understanding would bu reached if some sys- ! tern of co-operation and profit-sharing i wore introduced. He had every gym. ' pathy with sane Labour, but did not agree I with men going' to Parliament to represent a section of the people. He assured the elector,, that they gamed rather than l«»t through hi* occupying tho position ot Speaker, and, concluding amid loud applause, declared that now of all times timy should send to Parliament experi-i-ji'-ci] loyal men who would represent all < lassos and not one. After a number of questions, mainly Irani Labour supporters, had been answered a motion of thanks and conhrtenc*. moved by Mr. W. Mcintosh, was carried by a -** ,™»i orit . v - a hostile amendment gaming little support.