NEW POLICY ANALYSED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20080, 18 October 1928, Page 16

NEW POLICY ANALYSED.

MINISTER SPEAKS OUT.

PARTY NOT IN AGREEMENT. PENCHANT FOR BORROWING. INVITING A LAND BOOM. [nv telegraph—press association.] ETjTHAM, Wednesday Tlio Hon. 0. J.. Hawken, Minister of 'Agriculturo and Reform candidal for addressed a large meeting oi electors in the Town liall tins evening ntid was accorded a good reception. Dealing with Sir Joseph Ward's policy to borrow £70'.0C0.000, tj'.o Minister said p hugo borrowing scheme seemed to he thtt keynote of the wholo United Party policy, but this did not ngreo with ilio criticism of the present Govern ment's borrowing policy levelled for a long timo bv tho United Fr.rty. Mr. Wilkinson, the speaker's opponent, and Mr. W. J. Poison, a candidate for Stratford, had been preaching pessimism, stating that tho Govornment had been borrowing too much money, that tho debt was piling up, taxation was too high, the railways were not paying and no new lines were being proceeded with. Mr. Ilawken asked what Mr. Wilkinson thought of Sir Joseph Ward's policy. Would ho stick to his guns or meekly back up his leader's policy ? It seemed that the United Party was prepared to risk a great boom in land and house building in order to get into power.

While'many houses were still required, there was a definite clanger that the policy wou'd ho overdone and the Reform I'ariv m three years had lent £16,000,000, cv during five years £27,000,000. Sir Joseph Ward's ]>olicy would inevitably lead to a boom in land prices. Never in the wildest dreams of anyone but Sir Joseph had such a suggestion been made to borrow £70,000,000. As to the United Party's land policy, continued Mr. Hawken, any scheme that would absorb within eight years up lo 400.000 peoplo from overseas would cost much money. Members and Leader Differ. On tins question the ideas ot members of the United Party and their leader were considerably mixed. 'lhere seemed to bo a certain amount of pessimism and a great slice of optimism. The policy laid down' by Sir Joseph Ward was entirely contrary to the expressed opinions of almost every member of the party. Prevention of the aggregation of land was a good plank and one with which He form agreed. Closer settlement also met with Reform's ideals and ji'clean-cut statement to it was made in the Reform manifesto. In regard to' assistance to settlers, particularly in deteriorated areas. Reform led the way and thousands received assistance from the present Government. The loading policy as proposed had been in force for the last six years under the Highways Act, and relief was given to back-country settlers. Remission of rent or interest where necessary had been given in thousands of cases. . Dealing with other questions, Mr. Ilawhen Said free,'compulsory and secular education was in force to-day. Electoral reform by introduction of preferential voting was a good plank for the United Party, being the middle party. They thought, they would got all the second preferences, which .would give them an undue advant-age-over either of the other parties. The United plank of Empire defence, that the Dominion should share the cost with the motherland, was quite in agreement with the Reform policy carried out for many years. Until Sir Joseph Ward more rlenrlv defined the subject of removing shackles which .were hampering trade, Mr. Hawken said he could not express any opinion upon it. Main Plank in Platform. The main plank of the United platform

was borrowing £70,000,000, ho continued,

nnd no one could say in fnc-c. of that that - Fir Joseph Ward and his followers were against borrowing. In fact, they could •justly be said to be in favour of a policy of boom. In contrast the Reform policy was one of progress and one designed to assist: all classes. There would be a certain amount of borrowing at a reasonable •rata under Reform, with due sense of responsibility, and with an eye to economy of administration. Mich ways, railways and hydro-electric policies are to be pushed on, the customs tariff designed to assist nil industries in New Zealand, both primary and secondary, but, not a high protective tariff 1 hat would become an undue strain on those who would not, receive any direct benefit. In short, the tariff policy was one that should keep the cost of living •within reasonable bounds. Social services were dealt with bv the Minister, who recommended a close study of Mr. Coates' manifesto to learn what the Government, policy had done for the people. Education, including the agricultural side has been fostered, and the record was all in the direction of the welfare, of all classes. The Reform manifesto laid great stress on the industrial research policy adopted in recent years. Mew Zealand was able to borrow money in London at reasonable rates, but Reform bad not taken advantage of the offers, being .desirous of keeping borrowing within bounds- Renewals of loans would be easy on such a favourable market ns now I existed in London. - Help for the Farmers. It had been said Reform acted too liberally to farmers, but it would-be fool ish to leave the farmers out of calculations in view of the country depending so largely on primary industries. Fanners must be helped and encouraged equally ivith other sections of the community. In regard to land settlement, it,'* was expected that' <1 new ' policy would be adopted whereby two or more individuals could arrange to purchase suitable land if the price was reasonable • and obtain an advance of f)5 per cent, of value. This should give the iie.it opportunity yet offered to the small man to take up land and should facilitate 'cut ting-up,, not only of large estates, but also of smaller farms in cases where the owners found they had more land than they'could profitably farm. The Minister dealt with Mr. Wilkinson's attitude in the contest, in the rvifa! of which ho came in for some good-natured , banter. After replying b> a few fpicslions the Minister, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. ' IMWOMI IN T MAN( T KAU. SUPPORT FOR MR. BUNN. Mr. Bertram Bnrm Refbrm candidate for Manukau, addressed supporters in the Masoniq Hall, Ellershc. last evening, ■.Mr. William Crosher presiding. The candidate was accorded unanimous vote of thanks and confidence Messrs W. -roshcr and G. Simm were elected (o represent' the -Kllornlio di-t.-M Manuknii MR. VETTCirs VOTE. NO HELP FOR LABOUR PARTY J t«v TKr.KOium.-.i.R Ef!s association 1 V" WANCUNUI. '"WSliij election campaign this ... .evening Mr. W. A. Veitch M > it ■ , l'nrty candidate for Waiirmui . no.co„nS^S£ <l i :'ii;: ■i es Government being moved in the H E' UolK 01 ] 1 p" 01 Wl ° t0 inako Mr■u. t. Holland Prirno Minister.