WAITEMATA SEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20081, 19 October 1928, Page 16

WAITEMATA SEAT.

MR. GREVI LLE'S OPENING. GOVERNMENT TAKEN TO TASK. ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY. Tim official United Parly c;imlicJatfor the Waitemata scat, ,\lr. 1!. 11. Greville, opened liis campaign last evening al. Xorthcote. where lie addressed a crowded fathering in i lui Masonic Hall. At tlic close (hp meeting unanimously passed a \ote of. thanks and confidence and, in addition. ;i special volp of thanks for the direct manner in which questions were answered. The Mayor, Mr. A. I'.. Greensslade, presided. The candidate inado charges of political j bribery against the Reform Party, basing the allegations on a report in the Newsletter in Seplptnhpr of a speech by the Hon. (). .1. II aw ken, Minister of Agricul lure. 'I his was to the effect that if the Government abolished the duties on flour half its southern members would not go hack to Parliainent. The Minister made the astounding statement that the Heform Party would go to pieces if it interfered with the wheat duties. That was an illuminating example of the Reform Government putting party fiist and countiv second. The United Party was not opposed to the piotection of industries, hut was not in favour <>f this for the purpose of getting men into Parliament. Every breakfast table was taxed by the continuance of the duties, which represented twopence additional on every four-pound loaf. One of the first, things the United Party would do if it. was returned to power wouh he. to decrease the cost of daily bread. Land Settlement Flans. The lack of a land polity on the part of the present Government was appalling. The Hon. A. n. McLeod, the "loud speaker 1 ' of the Reform Government, said the saturation-point had been reached in respect to one-man farms, Ihe land settlement efforts of the Government had proved fallacious in settling people on the land. Hundreds of sold'ers had walked off their farms, at a total loss of nearly 16.000.000. This was a remarkable fulfilment of Sir Joseph Ward's prediction when criticising the Reform proposals n> this respect. The United Party advocated compulsory acquisition of land, payment for which would be in bonds. 'lhis was designed to prevent aggregation and promote settlement. Regarding tenure, this would be optional to suit each individual settler. Sir Joseph Ward had jmt forward the hold policy of borrowing £70.000.000 for land settlement and the completion of railway lines which were at present not. paying owing to gaps. jhe settlement of tin; land on either the deferred payment system, lease-in-perpetuitv, occupation with right of purchase, or cash payment for freehold, would be stimulated by advances with out cost to the taxpayers. The United Party would revise the incidence of taxation, including customs duties and income tax. The senseless immigration policy had contributed to the unemployment difficulty. The remedy lay in settling virgin land and the development of the country, including completion of main railways. He did not advocate scrapping the railways, but caution should be exercised in any further extensions 'n view of the changes occurring in modern systems of transport. Interference in Business. The Reform administration of transport questions had led to chaos by the passing of the motor-bus regulations and legislation. The pernicious system of government by Order-in Council should be terminated. The Government professed to be against State ,trading, but businessmen who had banded together had given specific instances of businesses being interfered with in no fewer than 30 cases. Dairy control hud'resulted in a loss of £2,000,000 to the farmers. The interference in the timber business had ruined the export timber trade with Australia, which Mr. Goldie had stated would take ten vears to get back. Secondary industries should be encouraged by subsidies rather than by high protective duties, which raised the cost of living. The United Party was opposed to a high protective tariff. Where private enterprise was satisfactorily carrying out services, the State should not. enter as a competitor, hut where public facilities were required which were not being adequately catered for then a duty to do so might be cast upon the State. However, generally only those which were capable of being placed on a good sound footing should be undertaken. Education Matters. Tn education, smaller classes were favoured, 'ls pupils being sufficient for any teacher. Increased facilities for chil dreri to karn farming and trades should , he provided, so that the 20,000 young people leaving the schools annually should find suitable avenues of employment. I The present system of night and d.'iy parades for defence preparation should be j abolished, and the youths put into a , fortnight's, camp each year for physical | instruction, which would help to set them j up. The present system was farcical, and : gave much opportunity for larrikinism. (Applause.) The candidate's assertion: 1 will vote with any party to put the Reform Party out of power," was received with applause. Mr. Greville said the Labour candidate had admitted he was a Socialist and believed in Socialism. A Labc-ur Supporter: "He is not denying it! Don't worry!" (Laughter.) The Reform candidate had accused his own party of political corruption, by putting money into the pockets of its pnliti ea! friends. Yet Mr. Harris was going to vote with them on a no-confidence motion. Putting the Government Out. Mr. revilie said he had been a staunch supporter of the harbour bridge proposal and claimed the Government grant ol CSOO toward preliminary investigations ! |,ad beer.: obtained largely through his efforts. Prolonged applause greeted the candi- ! date at the close of his address. Rpcnidinr his pledge to vole with anv pailv" to oil's! Reform, the candidate told a questioner the majority oi the United Part v .woiild vote similarly, although there might be a few exceptions. "Suppa-e the Labour Pur.y succeeded iri getting the majority of members, with Reform close to the same numerical strength, would the United Party put La!" is out queried a Labour simnnrter "That would be the logical position .of the United Party policy," Mr. Greville replied. A Oueslinner: Would the United Party then coalesce with the best elements of Reform '! Mr. Greville replied that the best elements ol Reform had joined the United Party long ago. Iho Questioner: Would you still think so if you succeedl ? Mr. Greville replied that oil and water would not mix. lj„ w ,„,|d stick to the o I arty pledge and policy. (,