REFORM VOTERS' DUTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19298, 10 April 1926, Page 12

REFORM VOTERS' DUTY.

AVOIDING VOTE-SPLITTING. SIR J. GUNSON'S CAMPAIGN". GOVERNMENT POLICY DEFENDED. !An attempt by a small body of Labour supporters to interrupt liis address WBS countered in good-natured spirit by Sir James Gunson, the official Reform candidate for Eden, when addressing a laige meeting of electors in the Avondale town Hall last evening. Tho Mayor of Avondale, Mr. W. J. Tait, presided. Sir James was supported on the platform by Mr. J. S. Dickson, M.P., chief Government Whip, and Mr. E. D. McLellan, M.P. In tho course of his address Sir James Gunson replied to the criticism that taxation through the Customs Department had been largely increased. Ho stated that taxation of this class had always been responsible for large contributions to the Treasury, ranging from 50 to 60, and even 75 per cent, of the total taxation revenue. Thus, in 1904, tho percentage of customs and excise revenuo of the total taxation was 73.93 per cent.; in 1906 it was 72.77 per cent.; and in 1914, two years after the Reform Government took office, jt was 60.16 per cent. In 1924-25 it was only 50.39 per cent. On the declared import values tho percentage of customs levied last year was 14.51 per cent, against 20.68 per cent, in 1905 and 14.68 per cent, in 1915. In 1911 it was 16.20 per cent., and in 1913, the year after the Reform Government took office, it was 15.37 per cent. More than a third of tho customs and excise collections (35.3 per cent, last year) was derived from alcoholic drinks and tobacco, and less, than five p'i' cent. (4.14 per cent, last year) from food and nonalcoholic drinks. By far the larger proportion of customs collections carne from articles of luxury, etc., and not from the necessaries of life, as Labour critics had alleged. A remark by Sir James, when dealing with the benefits of the present education system, that the boy of poor parents to-day was the capitalist of to-morrow, drew the first murmur of dissent from the Labour ranks. . "If a boy gets his foot on the bottom of tho ladder he can get to the top," declared Sir James. "He'll need a lot behind him," came a voice.

"Ho'll need nothing more than his own energy and perseverance," replied tho candidate, amidst applause. The educatioual facilities of tho country offered a great opportunity to children of outlook and industry. It was important that:, the Edon seat should be held by the Government, in whoso keeping it had been for the past 45 years, said Sir James, in combating tho Qpiriion exprossed that the winning or losing of the seat meant little to the Government now that it_ had a commanding majority. Sir James emphasised the importance Governments attached to by-elections. If the scat were lost, tho Labour-Socialists would be justified in stating that Edeu had expressed no confidence in the Government, that this feeling was typical of New Zealand, and that the Coates wave which had swept the country at the November polls was already on the wane. Sir James said that, personally, ho was indifferent as to tho result, but ho felt justified in asking for support as the official Reform candidate. A vote of thnriks and confidence was accorded tho candidate by acclamation. MEETING AT HENDERSON. BOYHOOD DAYS RECALLED. An enthusiastic meeting was addressed yesterday by Sir James Gunson in the Ferndale Hall. Henderson Valley.' Mr. W. R. Leighton, vice-president of. the Political Reform League, presided. The function was moro a renewal of old acquaintances than * political meeting. Sir Jatuos explained' that as a boy eight or nine years old lie used frequently to drive a team through to Ferndale, then known as Baxter's Bush, and he remembered well the names of many of those present. Tho speaker gave a jbrief statement of his policy, interspersed with pleasant recollections of his early days in the district. Sir James was heartily cheered at tho conclusion of his remarks, and the party adjourned after the meeting to the old homestead on tho Woodward estate. Lady Gunson, who accompanied Sir James, was entertained by some of the ladies of the district at a conversazione, Sir James addressed throe meetings in the country on Thursday, at, Brooklyn, Huia Dam and Huia, and at all of them was accordod a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.

THE PRTME MINISTER, TO ENTER THE CAMPAIGN. FIRST SPEECH ON TUESDAY. The Primo Minister, Mr. Coates, will enter the by-election contest on Tuesday in support of the candidature of Sir •Tames Gunson. In a telegram to Sir James, Mr. Coates said ho had been inducod to enter tho contest in order to reply publicly to tho criticisya of the administration offered by the Leader of tho Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland. The Primo Minister will deliver several addresses throughout tho electorate on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, tho evo of the poll. The announcement by Sir James Gunson at Avondalo last evening that the Primo Minister was entering the campaign was received with applause. Sir James then read tho following telegram from Mr. Coates: —•. " I observe that yon are addressing a mooting of electors at Avondale this evening, I should like to say that I am pleased with the .reports that have reached mo regarding tho progress which you ,aro fnaking in tho campaign, also at the enthusiastic receptions that have been accorded to yon throughout the electorate, which all go to show that our supporters ore working hard to see that you, as official Government candidate, are returned next Thursday by a substantial majority. ■ " I repeat that this result can only be secured by unity in our ranks and avoidance of vote-splitting at the ballot box. This must surely bo plain to all who. sincerely desire to see, tho Eden seat retained by tho Government and not risk tho danger. of handing it ovqr to our opponents. " I .seo further that tho Leader, of the . Labour Party has announced his intention to tako an active.part in tho closing I stages of tho campaign. I have so far refrained from any, personal intrusion into "the contest, but in view of Mr. Holland's action I deem it my duty, as. Leader of the Government, to hold myself in readiness to reply publicly to criticism of tho administration by means of which he may sock to influence tho electors in support of his candidate. I send you my good wislies for your success."