THE PARNELL CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18236, 1 November 1922, Page 11

THE PARNELL CONTEST.

MR. 8. M. WREN'S VIEWS.

"YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER."

SUPPORTER OP REFORM PARTY. "My candidature is a response to a very common and very reasonable challenge to the fighting generation of New Zealanders," said Mr. Sidney M. Wren, Reform candidate for the Parnell seat at the forthcoming general election, in introducing himself at his first public meeting in St. Mary's" parish hall last evening. There was a large attendance, Mr. C. H. Furness presiding. The candidate received an attentive hearing; and at the close of his address was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence with but two dissentients. Pursuing his introductory sentence, Mr. Wren said that the challengo he had referred to lay in a question they had all asked, namely, "Why do not tho young men.of New Zealand stand for Parliament, and thus try to give their country the benefit of their energy and enthusiasm?" Why not, indeed? Probably they all knew quite well why young New Zealanders had never been adequately tried in Parliament. The' electors everywhere had been more or less content, in the past, tc be governed, if not dominated, politically, by the older statesmen. It was, bv the way, the "grandfathers of the whe assembled in Paris to make a new world after the war. The youngest of the veterans there was 60 years of age, anc tho oldest 80. Was any population satisfied with the fruits of the victory oi the Allied armies? Never before in th< history of New Zealand .politics had then been the same necessity as to-day foi energy, enthusiasm and efficiency in the administration of national affairs. (Applause.) The Dominion certainly wanted a little capacity and activity than silent voting for a Government measure simplj because it was a chip from tho Government's platform, and later, as a makeweight, one final burst of loquacity just before the general election. There might be difficulty in obtaining essential improvement in administration. Custom died hard, and apathy was stubborn. A fetish had, been made of .experience and road board apprenticeship before entering Pariiament. Was there anything in that warning? When did a youi g man become old enough to serve his country in practical politics? He did not know. But he did know that in Flanders, eight years ago, the young men were old enough and experienced enough to help hold the Empire's gate against a form of militarism which, had it got through, would have made short work of free Parliaments. (Applauso.) It was a work for all citizens to do everything possible to help the Dominiori regain unrestricted progress. Therefore, he proffered his services, the best of his energy, and such ability as he might possess to his country and his district. {Applause.)

Supporter of the Reform Government. As a matter of principle and conviction, said- the candidate, ho was a supporter of I the Refoi'm administration, but he would I refuse absolutely to be a silent cog in the j party machinery. The Reform Party was j tho only one in New -Zealand to-day with a sound and sane outlook on the interests ■of t-bc country.' (Applause.) With all' its faults and failings it had been, and. still • was; in his opinion, the most competent I administration for the abnormal period of ■ its service, and the present needs of the Dominiom It had been continuously in office for a decade, including some four eventful year? in coalition with the Libj erals—now a scattered band—to form the I National Ministry for the grave necez- • sities of the world wfer. All the parties to that combination appeared to be agreed that it was a kindness to forget it. It need only be said now that it did its best I in extraordinary circumstances. Conditions in New Zealand at present ! were "anything but fiormal. There was, need still for a strong Government, with the essential proviso that its strength might not at any time be a stubborn hindrance to national progress. If the separate and distinct record ox the Reform Govern- . ment were to be carefully studied, it must • be admitted that it had always been emi--1 nently safe in situations and circumstances in which any display of weakness or vacillation would almost certainly have played into the hands of disruptive political forces. Such forces need not bo speci--1 fied in detail. j National and Empire Interests First.

The Dominion needed stable government with inflexible determination to put and keep national and Empire interests first. The end of the grljat war did not terminate national effort. They had still to fiifitht, and fight hard, for victory in peace. That meant, first of all, economic reconetruction with a view to promoting rapid Dominion development, more, employment, more industries, more production and more facilities for progress. These were the outstanding needs of this young country.

It could not be pretended that even the most experienced of politicians had done all that they might have done during the past three years to promote development. For a time Parliament had seemed hopeless in capacity and effort to cope with disorganised and restrictive conditions, and even when it moved in the right direction, which was to enforce rigorous economy in State expenditure, the movement was halting and laboured. The cause was undoubtedly lack of businesslike efficiency and initiative. ( .So far the contributory remedy for stagnation and depression had been a process of relief by instalments. This had been most marked in the matter of national • economy and taxation reduction. While business men and organisations, and thousands of far-seeing citizens, cut their losses and changed their methods to meet the change in economic conditions, the State increased its expenditure in most departments, and disorganised many public services without effecting economy. Permanent staffs were increased while services diminshed,: and salaries went'up as revenue decreased, -. v . •

Importance of Adequate Defence.

In no circumstances could disorganisa- I tion of public utilities be called true I economy. Even niter the drastic cuts in l tho swollen expenditure of public departi ments the country whs still far ahead of normal financial outlay. When an individual was up against financial strain lie must either economise or crash. The obligation to do likewise was not less tho stern duty of any responsible administration in similar' circumstances. Indeed the .administration had a greater responsibility to discharge. ... It might seem presumptuous to discuss future remedies and reforms, but it was clearly the duty of each candidate for Parliament to state his own considered views and proposals, rather than to be nothing more tnan an echo of the official party voice. (Applause.) ,„«£ Since the question of first, importance was the necessity to put" 1 and keep national and Empire interests before and above everything else, it seemed to him that defence should not be the finst tree in ! rtie State's overgrown, orchard, so to apeak, to be pruned to the bole. _ Only a j few weeks ago the British nation had stood on tho brink of another war. It I was averted, and, more by I the diplomacy of the soldier than by that of the statesman. The outstanding feature of that crisis' to New Zealanders was the spontaneity with which 12,000 young I men of' the Dominion responded to the mere hint of the prospective need of their services near ground which had already been made sacred by the heroic exploits of'the Anzacs. (Applnusn.) > The Dominion Government incurred tlfe readv displeasure and unashamed opposition *of tile 1-aLour Party, but the sane opinion of a loyal country was behind the Prime Minister. (Applause.) The necessity for adequate national defence had to be recognised"»>id met. "Physical fitness, alertness, and discipline were always good assets to a nation. (Applause.) The capdidate proceeded to express the hope that, in maintaining and strengthen, ing the naval defences of the Dominion tho i ••; '»••» ■> v i; '«•» • ' *

more experienced politicians would not, in another ecstasy of inspiration, press the recent proposal to. put New Zealand's -vierjr modest navy into the Cook Islands fruit trade. It would be more to.the point of usefulness, ho said, to urge the recomrnissioning of some of the trading vessels lying idle in the harbours of New Zealand. (Applause.) Most emphatically he stood for adequate defence on land and sea, with generous encouragement of the development of defensive aviation. ' Welfare of Women, and Taxation. The candidate advocated moire being done for the welfare of women ana children. Doubtless an old Parliamentary hand could flourish quite an impressive record of all sorts of measures for promoting the welfare of women and children, but something more than legislative documents was required. He favoured better wages being paid to women workers. The cost of living was more serious for the working girl than for the average young working man. In Australia the wages of women had been increased, but in New Zealand they had been decreased. Then there was the vexed question of women J.P.'b and jury women. The House of Representatives was politely willing to provide the necessary legislation for women J.P.'s, but the chivalrous old gentlemen of the Legislative Council could not accept it. Perhaps this was another reason why young New Zealand should be better represented in the Lecislature.

Mr. Wren said the pressing need of all classes in the community was a further reduction in taxation and the early abolition of restrictive taxes. They had seen the dangers of inordinately high taxation, and the menace of economio depression. Some relief had been giyeu at long last, but the burden was still too heavy to permit of the free enterprise that meant more employment and more profitable development. The expansion of productive, industrial, and commercial business was Btill hesitant, and measured. Direct taxation ranged from Is in the £ to 7s 4d. Reasonable taxation and moderate charges for essential public utilities meant increased industry, more employment, a wider and mow confident use of wealth, and, in the end, adequate revenue for the good government of the State. Other Planks In Candidate's Platform.

The candidate advocated the fostering of development of new industries, with more generous provision for scientific and industrial research. He also said h© stood for improved communication with empire partners in trade. Another plank in his platform was encouragement of the righf class of immigrants for the development of unproducbiva lands. Other planks were the expansion of secondary industries ; the speeding up of reproductive works, such as essential raihVays, State main roads, -and hydro-eleotric works; and more school accommodation.

There_ were over 25,000,000 acres of unoccupied land available in the Dominion, including approximately 9,000,000 acres 'in ■ this province. Eliminate the waste and unreclaimed swamp areas, and thex : e was left sufficient productive land for productive settlement. A great opportunity was lost, he said, for tho development of unimproved lands in connection with the scheme of soldier settlement. Instead of giving competent returned men th© chance, on encouraging terms, to develop new holdings and make therh ■ valuable, improved estates, or estates valued as at immense improvement, were bought at inflated prices for soldier settlement. * In .many cases the load, had been excessive. In . such cases the State should accept and carry the loss of readjustment of grossly inflated values. (Applause.) It was not too late to introduce laud settlement reform. In conclusion,. Mr. Wren intimated that he would deal in more detail with political problems in his future addresses. He was warmly applauded on resuming his seat.

In reply to a question, 'Mr. Wren said that on a . no-confidence motion be would support ihe present Government*. The movet of the vote of thanks and confidence said that for a maiden effort he considered Mr. Wren had put up a brilliant performance. This was applauded also, find the meeting, having mung the National Anthem, broke up.

THE EDEN CAMPAIGN.

, ADDRESS .BY MR. MASON. LABOUB (POLICY OUTLINED. 2he campaign in Eden was opened on Monday evening in the Henderson Public Hail by Mr. H. G. R. Mason, the Labour candidate, The chairman of the Town Board, Mr- B. Hart, i presided. Tli© candidate stated that the .Labour Party s platform was founded upon a recognition of the doctrine of evolution. Proportional Representation was advocated as giving proper representation to Both majority and minority, and conserving the rights of both, and the enactment of the initiative referendum and right of recall" as being 'necessary to full seif-gov,em-inent of the people. The Legislative Council was declared to have failed in revising the slovenlv legislation of the Lower House, and to- bo entirely useless. II; should be abolished, especially in view of the reduction of expenditure in other departments. Compulsory State enrolment 1 , of voters was advocated as well as Parliamentary franchise for all local body elections.

The Government land policy was adversely criticised, especially on the ground of failure to tax largo estates. Figures were given showing tho largo proportion of bankruptcies among farmers. A State bank, with the sole right of note issue, was advocated, to cheapen money and to provide money for farming and other/industry. The great success of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia was quoted as showing what could-bo done, without any expense to the State. Tho candidate severely trititised what he termed the Government 1 !) inactivity in~ regard to the shipping problem. Labour would institute a State shipping linej as Australia had, done. Labour would in other directions extend State activities for the good of'the people, including medical service and housing, The Labour Party would also give Stato employees a voice in tho control of State industries. The candidato criticised tho action of tho Minister for Education in demanding that local assistance be found for new school buildings. All school books should be supplied free, as in Canada, and there should be free medical attention for school children. Tho universal auxiliary language Esperanto. should be taught as a better means of understanding between nations. The Labour Party believes in preserving local control in education 'and ' resisting the policy 'of centralisation of all control in the Minister. • The Government, said tho speaker,.had contrary to promise increased customs taxation on necessaries, but reduced taxation on large estates and high incomes. The Labour policy was the reverse, to remove the burdens on family incomes. Tho Reform Party had promised pensions to disabled citizens, but they had not materialised. Tho Labour., Party believed in endeavouring to establish international good--will, and called on all people of progressive ideas to unite with it in establishing a better order of society. Mr. Mason had an attentive hearing, and after answering questions, received a vote of thanks, ah expression of confidence being omitted at his own Request.

THE ROSKILL ELECTORATE. MISS MELVILLE'S CAMPAIGN. In continuance of her campaign as Independent Reform candidate for' the R- skill seat. Miss Ellen, Melville addressed a' crowded meeting at> the Methodist Hall, Gordon R ad, Mount Ede'n, last evening; The audience, which included' an unusually large proportion of women, gave the candidate a favourable hearing during the course of .{in address on lines similar to those previously delivered. In reply to one of several questions, Mis? Mefville stated that she wag rut a member of tlje Protestant political Association. Sfie \yias accorded a' unartiniops voj,® 1 of. thanks by the audience. ! 'Ms: L, Jail presided. ... .lanU .i i . IV > ■ ; 1 .U . J