THE COUNTRY PARTY.

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

THE COUNTRY PARTY.

OPENING OF CAMPAIGN* MR. MAGNER AT TE KOWHAL RELIEVING FARMERS* BURDEN. [BT TIXEGRAPH. —special repoktbu] NGARUAWAHIA. Thursday. Ths Country Party's candidate for tho "Raglan by-election, Mr. C. A. Magner,, of Te Kowhai, opened his campaign at the TV Kowhai Hall this evening. Mr. E. G. Hoekin, who presided over an attendance of 150, said there append to be general dissatisfaction with the Reform Party and there was need for a change. He then introduced the candidate. Mr. Magner said the Country Party was practically a new political party, but it was established on a sound foundation* He was certain it would continue to grow and become an important factor in tha politics of the country. The candidate said the Country Party was necessary to combat the influence of vested interest® in increasing the burden of the man oa the land. lie blamed the Prime Minister lor letting the farmers down in respect to the Dairy Control Board's operations, and criticised the Government for not establishing a rural bank, which would bft of material a-sjastanca to tb» farmers. A germ of the agricultural bank scheme fU in existence it was true, but the system in operation was an insignificant portion of what the farmers wanted. "Not a Political Aspirant." * The remedy of the present unsatisfactory position as far as the farmers were concerned was to be found in the Country Party, said Mr. Magner. There had been great hostility in certain quarters to tha formation of the party, but he was certain the day would come when it would be a power for good in the land. There was discontent and dissatisfaction throughout the country with the present administration, and the farmers' call had been am mistakenly heard. The candidate said he was not a politic cal aspirant—he did not seek nomination—but he was the man the fanners wanted for the job. He would prosecute the campaign with all his heart and strengUw There would be no turning back. All ha wanted wa3 a fair field and no favour. Mr. Magner claimed that he was an idealist. His aim was to give the farmers complete emancipation from political and financial thraldom. Ho contended thai Mr. Goates had risen on a wave of sentimentality, and considered that he was not fitted to wear the mantle of the great statesman who had preceded him. Trade and Finance. * The candidate then criticised the Government at some length. Fresh barriers had been raised against imports, ha said, in spite of the preference that had been given to British goods, and the cost of living had consequently increased. It was taking half tho country's income to pay interest on its loans, and in spite of sinking funds the national debt w*s increasing every year. With Imperial free trade and Imperial currency Now Zealand should be able to free itself of its difficulties. The Country Party's aim was to mak« farming a payable proposition. iMr* Magner advocated a wisely-adjusted in« come tax on the basis of a man's ability to pay rather than in proportion to hit ability to purchase. Economy was sadly needed in public expenditure. The Country Party supported the league of Nations and preferred treaties to wan He read the party's views on th<s subject of defence, nnd considered mobilisation should embrace Industrie! resources as well as men.

Mr. Magner considered that the recent adjustments in the customs tariff left tha people worse off than they were before. Amendment of the constitution of tha Arbitration Court was desired to enable the farmers to have representation when slaughterrnfjn'a wages were being con» siaered. Concluding the candidate said his whole interests were focussed on tha farming industry, and if elected hi would do his best to help the farmer* and relieve the burden on the country. (Applause.) The Increased Bank Sit*. In answer to a question tha speaker said he was a small farmer. He objected to the term "Cockie," for the farmer* were daily improving their status and were entitled to respect. Mr. Magner said he was in favour of closer settlement by cutting up the iarg* tuna, but he considered the present tune was not opportune owing to the Financial position of the country. He did not think tJi* banks were justified in increasing tha rate of interest. Mr. A. K, Robinion, provincial secretary of the Farmers' Union, Auckland, said the kindest thing that could be dona to the Reform Party would be to give it a lesson. Ha therefore invited Reform supporters to vote for Mr. Magner. Tha real trouble in New Zealand, said th» speaker, was that the legislation that existed protected everybody except tha farmer. Mr. J. Wakoalev moved a baarty Tola of thanks to Mr. Magner and confidence in him a» the Country Party "• representative, Tha motion vh camefl by acclamation.