MEMBER FOR FRANKLIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19144, 9 October 1925, Page 11

MEMBER FOR FRANKLIN.

SPEECH AT PAPAKURA. FIRM STAND FOR MR. COATES. EMPIRE AND COMMON GOOD. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PAPAKURA, Thursday. An excellent reception was accorded Mr. McLennan, Government candidate for franklin, who opened his campaign at Papakura last evening. Close on 100 people were present. The chairman of the Town Board, Rev. W. C. Wood, presided. In opening Mr. McLennan said he intended to fight the campaign without the introduction of personalities. Since addressing a meeting in the hall three months ago he, with other members, had had a busy time. The Prime Minister particularly in the las t. month had had hardly a minute to himself. Deputation after deputation was heard, and one which had taken one and-a-half hours to make its representations had been answered by Mr. Coates in one and a-half minutes. The member introducing the deputation : though: that discourteous but it exemplified Mr. Coates' straightforward businesslike methods. Continuing Mi, McLennan said he believed that by wise Government New Zealand could be made one of the brightest gems of the British Empire, with conditions for both primary and secondary industries second to none. As evidencing the Government's sound finance Mr. McLennan quoted the last surplus, £1,243.800. The National Debt was being reduced, and nearly half | of the present debt held in the Dominion was returning to circulation over four millions sterling in interest,. Taxation had been reduced and the Dominion was able to get better terms than New South Wales for the last London loan, a great tribute to the sound financial position. Security of the Freehold. The Government had opened up land to promote settlement. It had given the option of the freehold to lease in perpetuity holders, and generally had liberalised land settlement tenures, while losses on returned soldier settlement were being written off. The Government stood definitely for the freehold. He was one who considered that tenure appealed strongly to the British people, being the j best incentive to make the fullest use of j property and value it most. The candidate said it would be his en- i deavour to see that every working man j owned his own quarter-acre and his own | home. (Applause.) Up to May 31, last,! the Government had made advances for I 20.050 houses. That showed a big practical effort to overcome the housing shortage. (Applause.) Not only had the old age pension been increased but restrictions had been removed so that a pensioner could own his own home without having his pension reduced. Similarly widows and minors pensions, and pensions for the blind had been made more liberal. The war pensions I scale ranged up to £7 weekly for disI abled soldiers with a wife and six or j more children. I Th' 6 Government was out to assist the j primary in every way. It realised the importance of fertilisers, and was doing everything to keep the price to farmers at bedrock. Their opponents suggested State fertiliser works, but the farmers had' their own works and the Government would be wasting money to set up State works in competition. Sound Eoiwling Policy. The importance of good roads was fully realised by the Government and the highways scheme had been instituted. He realised the difficulty of the country districts having to maintain main roads carrying mostiv outside traffic, and considered it would be sound policy for tae Government to take over the arterial roads from one end of the Dominion to the other, and maintain them out of highways money and the Consolidated fund. Referring to his entry into Parliament three months ago, Mr. McLennan stated that he had been cordially received both by political friends and opponents, including Labour, and he realised that below the surface was a depth of human sympathy and kind thought it was ever j his object to foster. Mr. Coates was the one outstanding leader in the House. He I stood for honest endeavour to promote I the well-being of every member of the j community, and was the most democratic person in the Dominion to-day. He stood for the Empire and the common good against Bolshevik and Communist agitators. (Prolonged applause.) He hoped any injustices would be righted in friendly conference. The Empire must stand or fall together, and New Zealand I must do its share to give British goods preference and foster Imperial trade. The candidate pledged himself as an | unqualified supporter of Mr. Coates. If honoured with the confidence of electors of Franklin again hj« would at all times j lie pleased to give his services and help wherever needed, particularly realising it was the poorer people who required help. After several question had been answered a vote of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr, C. Howden and seconded by Mr. A. Willis, was carried enthusiastically, with only three dissentients. TO-NIGHT'S PROGRAMME. MANY MEETINGS ARRANGED. Candidates will address meetings to-day as follow: — Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East), corner Garfield Street and Manukau Road, 8 p.m. Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Eden), Henderson Hall, Henderson, 8 p.m. Mr. W. ,T. Jordan (Manukau), Favona, Mangere, 8 p.m. Mr. E. 1). McLennan (Franklin), Alfriston Hall, Alfriston, 2 p.m. ; and Drury Hall, Drury, 8 p.m. Hon. R. F. Bollard (Raglan), le Kowhai, 8 p.m. Mr. S. C. G. Lye (Raglan), Ngaruawahia, 8 p.m. Mr. E. Piggott (Raglan), laupin, 8 p.m. , Mr. W. Lee Martin (Hamilton), Rukuhia Hall, 8 p.m. Mr. W. E. G. Willy (Thames), Pokeno Hall, 8 p.m. Mr. F. Colbeck (Rotorua), Druids Hall, Rotorua. 8 p.m. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Ohinemuri), Afnenree, 7.30 p.m. Supporters of Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) will meet in the Masonic Hall, Northcote, at eight o'clock this evening.