THE PRIME MINISTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19141, 6 October 1925, Page 11

THE PRIME MINISTER.

] TOUR OF THE DOMINION. . FIRST SPEECH ON THURSDAY. STARTING CAMPAIGN AT OAMARU [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] WELLINGTON. Monday. The Prime Minister has decided to make a tour of the Dominion in support of his policy. He will make the opening speech of his campaign at Oamarti on Thursday evening. MINISTER FOR LABOUR. OPPOSITION TO SOCIALISM. NEED FOR STRONG GOVERNMENT. [BY TELEGRAM, —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] GORE, Monday. The Hon. G. J. Anderson opened his campaign at Gore to-night before a large attendance. The Minister made an able defence of the Government's work, specially stressing humanitarian legislation. Regarding the public debt the Minister challenged the opponents of the Government to point to any item they were prepared to say should not have been undertaken. Over one-half of the increase since 1912 was due to war expenditure and the other money was necessary in view of the development of the country. The speaker urged the need, owing to the unprecedented turmoil throughout the world, for a Government capable of meeting any situation, a Government with vision, with strenuous purpose, honest and loyal. The question for decision at the elections was whether the electors could afford to open the way for the installation of a weak inefficient Government, depending for its existence on the favour and support of advocates of class war. He would exert his best efforts, if returned as a supporter of the present Government against the Socialists and Communists. A vote of continued confidence was carried. SIR JOSEPH WARD. STANDING AS A LIBERAL. WILL STATE REASONS LATER. [by telegraph.—-press association.] INVERCARGILL. Monday. A largely-attended meeting of friends and supporters of Sir Joseph Ward, who is contesting the Invercargill seat, was held this evening, when the following resolution was carried unanimously: "That this meeting of friends and supporters places on record its hearty appreciation of the fact that Sir Joseph Ward has offered his services to the electors of Invercargill, and that all present agree to exert their best endeavours to secure his return to Parliament." Asked subsequently by a newspaper representative whether he was contesting the seat in the interests of the Liberals or the new National Party, Sir Joseph replied that he was doing so as a Liberal, and would fully explain his reasons when he opened his campaign. SUPPORT FOR MR. ST ATM AM. REFORM LEAGUE'S DECISION. The political standing of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. (.'. E. Statham (Dunedin Central), and. of Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gishorne) has caused some comment, especially as no Government candidate has been nominated for either seat. The New Zealand Political Reform League has now announced that, although Mr. Statham is standing as an Independent., he. will receive the support of the party in that electorate. Mr. Lysnar is defined by the party as an " Independent Reform" candidate. CANDIDATE FOR MATAT RA. THE NATIONAL INTERESTS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.'J INVERCARGILL. Monday. Mr. William Ilinchey, Mayor of Fluff, formerly chairman of the Southland Power Board, will contest the Mataura seat as a Nationalist.