OPINION IN MATAMATA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18354, 21 March 1923, Page 10

OPINION IN MATAMATA.

SIR JOSEPH'S MANY PLANS.

CONVICTION LACKING.

[BT TELEGRAPH.—OWN correspondent.] MATAMATA. Tuesday. Opinion in the Matamata district concerning Sir Joseph Ward's candidal is considerably divided, and it is difficult to say in what direction the balance of advantage between the Reform and Liberal candidates lies. Sir Joseph Word's meeting at Matamata was much more largely attended than Mr. C. E. Macraiilan's, but the widespread interest taken in Sir Joseph Ward's campaign accounted for the presence in the audience of residents of the Rotorua electorate and visitors who were staying in the town for the night. Sir Joseph Ward was given a most enthusiastic reception from his supporters, if the noise and cheering was any indication of the feelings of those who agreed with him. But according to a number of thoughtful and independent observers who were seated in the middle of the hall, the applause came from less than half of those present. Many opponents of the candidate sat still and said nothing. They thought a lot, however, and at the close of the meeting they found that Sir Joseph Ward had left uni answered many important questions. He did not say what means should be adopted to prevent a dissolution on his being returned. Many of his listeners waited to hear how Sir Joseph Ward proposed that £25,000,000 should be raised to help farmers meet their mortgages when the moratorium was lifted in December, 1924, but no explanation was forthcoming except an indication that the money should be raised within the country by the issue of Government bonds. "The completion of the 30 railway schemes in New Zealand, and the hydro-electric schemes within fire years with money borrowed in the country was advocated by the speaker and appeared to be a very laudable desideratum, but whether Sir Joseph Ward's ideas are practicable is a point about which there is much doubt. The candidate's elucidation of his financial scheme was not so convincing as many of his supporters would have liked. Sir Joseph Ward advocated the diversion of £-43,000,000 held by the Government on behalf of depositors in the post ofHce savings bank from public works, telegraph extensions, and local body loans to the financing of a housing scheme for the workers, but he omitted to explain how the money to be withdrawn from the public enterprises named was to be replaced.