CAMPAIGN IN EDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19140, 5 October 1925, Page 11

CAMPAIGN IN EDEN.

SIR JAMES PARR'S OPENING. ELEVEN YEARS' SERVICE. TWO MEETINGS ADDRESSED. Gatherings of electors at Brigham's Creek and Whenuapai were addressed on Saturday by Sir James Parr, Minister for Education and Justice, in initiating his campaign as Government candidate for Eden. Mr. A, Siuton, J.P., presided at Brigham's Creek, and Mr. F. W. Grigg at Whenuapai. Sir Jjunes 'said that he had represented the Eden electorate for 11 years, nearly six of which had been passed in office as Minister of the Crown, holding various portfolios. He hoped that his work in connection with education had given satisfaction to the electors. Far-reaching reforms had been accomplished in the interests <jf the children, Referring to his work as Minister for Prisons, Sir James said a necessary reform had been undertaken in the extension of the Borstal system to permit the treatment of a certain form or crime with a method of mercy and reformation rather than discipline and restraint. Recently a Borstal Institute had been established at Waikeria, where young offenders from 1-5 to 20 years of age were being dealt with under this beneficial system. Ninety r>er cent, of the cases treated with reformatory methods were completely successful, Discussing the imminent election, Sir James said it rested with the electors of Eden whether they were to adopt or reject a state of socialism. His opponent for the seat was a supporter of the Labour Party. Mr. Holland himself was a Marxian, or revolutionary Socialist. The Labour land policy of "Usehold" had been said to be the invention of a watchmaker. It might well be the case, since it was obvious that this new tenure was the production of men who lived on the kerbstone and not in the country. " I quite admit the evils of speculation in land, but the Labour cure for speculation aims to kill all incentive in the farmer," concluded Sir James. Votes of confidence in 'the candidate were recorded at both meetings, the seconder of the motion at Brigham's Creek, J>*V. T. Wake, saying that he had always been a Liberal adherent, but that as a farmer he considered the strike situation was so serious that every support should be given to Mr. Coates' Government.