GOVERNMENT'S RECORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19150, 16 October 1925, Page 13

GOVERNMENT'S RECORD

SUCCESS OF LEGISLATION. WORK DONE .FOR ROSKILL. EDUCATION EXPENDITURE. A crowd of about 1200 people in the Capitol Theatre, Dominion Road, was addressed last evening by M)'. V. If. Potter, Government candidate, for Roskill. Mr. F. If. Potter, Mayor of Mount Eden, presided. The candidate was freely subjected (o interruption, and the meeting enjoyed a good deal of fun. Mr. Potter said. Mr. Cortes was a man who had proved his ability as an administrator, and there was no one better able to guide the destinies of the country. His altitude toward the shipping strike showed him to be a man of action. Confused shouting followed the candidate's statement. 1 quite appreciate all that cackling," said Mr. Potter. " 1 once kept a poultry farm." Mr. Potter went on to refer to Reform measures which had been passed for the common good. " I am quite prepared," he said, " to prove, that this Government—" A Voice: 1 think that you are prepared to say anything. Mr. Potter: I believe I will go so far as to say you are a gentleman. 1 am here to give you facts and truth. Whether you will understand it is another quest ion. Comparison of Taxation. As far as income tax was concerned, New Zealand was more lightly assessed than Australian States under Labour government. He ridiculed the suggestion that the country was not in a prosperous condition and quoted bank deposit figures to show individual prosperity. An Interjector : There is enough poverty in the country, Mr. Potter. The Candidate: There will always be poverty. No other Government of a British possession had done so much for the returned soldier as had the New Zealand Government. He detailed the magnitude of advances to workers and settlers. The Government had achieved enormous results with its housing scheme, and it was a record of which any Government mightbe proud. Everything had been done for the workers with the money at the country's command. Mr. Potter went on to speak of education matters, and he would tell them what had been done for education in the Roskill district. Electors could take the credit, but he was producing the goods. A Voice: Do not tell Jimmy Parr that. Mr. Potter spoke of the work he had done for the electorate. " Come on," he said, "tell me what more you are entitled to that I have not got for you." A Voice: A two-up school. (Daughter.) Candidate and P.P.A. The Reform Government, the candidate said, assisted people right from the cradle until very near the tomb. He referred to the advantageous pension system and the good progress made with postal and telegraphic facilities, railways and agriculture. The concluding portion of the address was devoted to a criticism of Labour. " There has never been any difference between the Reformers and Liberals," he said, "except that we were in and they were out. We were in to stop, and they were out to stop. A Voice: They kept your Government in. Mr. Potter: They did it because they had brains and wanted progress. In reply to a question whether he was a P.P.A. man. the candidate said he had never brought up the sectarian issue and would not now be dragged into it. A motion of confidence in the Prime Minister and the candidate was carried with considerable opposition.