RAGLAN BY-ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19743, 16 September 1927, Page 13

RAGLAN BY-ELECTION.

A CANDID CANDIDATE. MR. WARING'S POLITICS. HONESTY* AND POPULARITY. PLAIN SPEAKING AT MEETINGS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL RKPOftTKR.] NGARUAWAHIA, Thursday. A refreshing unconventionally is brought to politics in the Raglan byelection by Mr. A. H. Waring, the official Reform candidate. A John Bull type of Englishman, he displays a robust candour that must be disconcerting to critics. He remarks that at his age he prefers the fireside to "hum-drum" electioneering. One hears supporters greeting him enthusiastically as "dad," and he chuckles and says, "l"es, dad in politics, and who would have dreamed it. My girls think it a great joke." But while Mr. Waring, ■without any self-seeking, finds himself the official Reform candidate, and therefore to & great extent unprepared for the battle, he is entirely self-possessed. Of strong personality and "as honest as the day," he could not be flurried, and, if personal popularity counts, he will poll well. This morning he looked into the Horotiu meat works at "smoko" to show himself. Fifty butchers gave him a cheer and invited him to return. Supporter of Small Tanners, At a meeting at Te Kowhai it was suggested that the Government favoured the "squatter" against the "cockie," in proof of which it was mentioned that the subsidy for official testing was huge m comparison with that for ordinary herd-testing. "It must bo so, if you say it," said Mr. Waring. "Oh, no," said the questioner. "All I can say," continued Mr. Waring, "is that my interests have always been with the small farmer, always will be, and that if I am returned I shall work for him."

To a request for precise facts as to | how the Government served the "squat- | ter," the manufacturer and the small | farmer, Mr. Waring replied, "I was ' pushed into this game on Saturday last ■ and how can I possibly give you chapter and verse on such a question ?" ~ i "Honesty need fear nothing," he re- | marked when referring to thu present position of the Government. "We are told the Government is losing ground, but the public is just like a pack of hounds that casts off in all directions and one gives tongue. They all take it up and 35 like as not the hare is only a rabbit. Have you ever seen people start to clap and then ask their neighbour, 'What did he say ?' Government and Weather. "However, there has been a depression and who but tho Government can be blamed'! It would be just as sensible to blame the Government for all this ram. New Zealand can raise money in London at one-half per cent, less than any I other country. Is that a sign of incapable | administration ? Think of facts like i that instead of listening to 'twaddle.' In 1 one breath we hear the cries, 'stop borrowing' and 'push on with the development of the country.' It is just old Pharaoli over again. Let us he logical." The meeting at Ngaruawahia in the evening was largely attended. The Mayor, Mr. H. J. Sampson, presided, and supporting the candidate were Mr. S. S. Allen, and Mr P. G. R, Taylor, two of the unsuccessful nominees for official selection. A significant featrce of the meeting was the presence of supporters from as far away as Waiuku. After paying his tribute fo the glory of his "old mate," the Hon. R. F. Bollisrd, Mr. Waring proceeded to deal with "those disgruntled individuals, those .Terpmiahs who were taking the manifestly unfair course of trying to saddle the Prime Minister with the mismanagement of dairy control." He then referred to taxation and borrowing and. warming up to his theme, declared to the delight of the audience, "If you will onlv think—and God knows we spend enough on education to teach you to think—yon will realise that this young country is a marvellous achievement. There is no place under the sun that can be compared with. New Zealand. (Cheers. 1 | "Iniquity ol Land Tax." "I am not blowing. It is common sense, hut, there are the growlers who you I will usually find want to sharpen their blunt axes on someone else's grindstone, or to put their load on someone else's waggon. (Applause.) They ought to be shipped off to an island of their own. hnt soldiers would be required to prevent them corning back." (Laughter.) Mr. Waring spoke of the iniquity of the land tax, for which he had been summoned during slump times. "Yes," ha said, "they got blood out of a fitooe," and he was somewhat severe with the Vain- j ation Department. Mr. Waring believe* j in patriotism in trade and received warm applause for his blunt opinion of those who pursued the severely commercial ! stand m trade, "I mention these things in case you forget how our well being depends on England, which takes 00 per cent, of our produce. America, which I have no time for, takes 7 per cent. (Ap- j plau^e.) "If T can't come through that front door I'm not going to come through the hack." said Mr. Waring, in conclusion "It has always Keen my endeavour to act straight and speak straight. Whatever Mr. Bollard stood for I stand for." Mr. Waring sat down amid lood applause. Direct Answer! to Question*. Replying to questions, Mr Waring said he was strongly in favour of religious instruction in schools. There was great need | for ii. | Asked if he were :n favour of fbo t abolition of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, Mr. Waring said: "I think I ! am. I don't Tike meddlers coming be j tw«en me and my men. Good men maka good masters, and good masters make good men. I don't like this interference }*etween employers and ewplowt, who hare so much in common. I have had men | with me for years. T have relsed open ' them, and they have never let me down, j The Arbitration Court appears fo me to jbe a perfect farce," I On the honor quest ion the candidate was I just as outspoken. He said he would f not change thtt present ia*ne», "I have 1 taken a g!a%* of ale 'all my life and I | will alwav# «xieivior to have it. (Langh I ter.) Ido not want to be euchred oat of ht."

A merry meeting cooeladed with a wU of thank* and enr-fidenre in Um Gototroent and the candidate withewi o»* hoetil# voice from a gathering that nan»lwr : «S 300.