ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20087, 26 October 1928, Page 15

ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

,TOIIK OF MR. COATES.

ENTHUSIASM in the north.

RETURN TO BETTER TIMES.

LAND SETTLEMENT POLICY.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWK COIUIESVONDENT.] WHANGAREI. Thursday.

Tho Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, spont a busy time to-day in tho northern portion of his electorato, receiving many callers and congratulations on tho completion of his first term as Prime Minister, with expressions of goodwill for tho future. This morning he had an informal talk with the sottlers of Ruawai, and in tho aftornoon ho addressed a mooting at To Ivopuru, tho peoplo in both cases expressing their confidence in him as Prime Minister and in tho Government. Mr. Coates was accorded a most rousing roception at Whangarei this evening. Tho Municipal Theatre was packed, a largo crowd filling tho doorways and lobbies. As Mr. Coates went on to tho stago three cheers were given and then the audience broko into " For ho's a jolly good fellow," following this with threo more cheers and then threo for Mrs. Coates. At tho conclusion of his address Mr. Coates was accorded a vota of thanks and confidence. Savings Bank Roturns. As proof of tho return of New Zealand's prosperity the Prime Minister quoted the latest figures concerning the operations of tho Post OfTice Savings Bank. For tho six months ended September 30 deposits totalled £13.55':,613 and the withdrawals £14,460,256, leaving an excess of withdrawals of £846,623. The interest payable to tho depositors, however, amounted to £873,000, so that tho excess of tho withdrawals was less than tho interest earned. " I think it can confidently bo anticipated there will soon be a surplus of deposits," said Mr. Loates. 'Tho Opposition has charged tlio uovcrrmient with failing to settle the land, but I ask straightout how many people havo really wanted to go on the land, continued "tho Prime Minister. The task •was to help on tho land the people who were already there. It had been stated thero were 14.000 less peoplo on tho land than in 1923. The otlicial figures showed that in tlio year 1922-23 there were 146,380 farm employees, including workinc; proprietors aiul managers, and in 1906-27 there "were 132,799, a reduction of 13 581. The critics held that these figures showed that tlio position was getting desperate, but an analysis of the statistics showed tho reduction was made up ot 5615 males, or 5 per cent., and 7966 females, or 3 per cent. Increases in Production.

Land in cultivation, excluding unimproved land, was greater in 1927 by 412,947 acres than it was irr 1922-23, wlulo tho occupied lands increased from 85,51J acres to 85,628. This showed conclusively that there was no wholesale abandonment of farms. The Urime Minister said the increases in the two great branches oi primary production were proof of the stabi'itv and vitality of fanning in NewZealand. Notwithstanding tho cry of people walking off tho land, it was a striking fact that in practicably all branches of tho industry production was steadily increasing. Opponents of tho Government had also been indulging in adverse criticism in iespect of the sliding scale of wheat and Hour duties and had said the effect of tire duties was to increase tho price of bread. That statement was a one-sided one. It, nt a time of low prices for wheat, tho duties tended to help tho prico of flour, and therefore made tho price of bread higher, it had to bo remembered that at a time of high prices for wheat the scheme tended to help to reduce the price of flour and bread. Both aspects of the question had to bo considered before the matter could bo fairly viewed. Approximately 450 tons of flour and 120 tons of wheat, had been admitted free of duty under the present tariff. Tho price of bread in Dunedin was lower than that in Sydney and tho same as in Melbourne, while at other New Zealand centres it was cheaper than in Canadian cities. The price of bread in New Zealand had been maintained whilo the present duties had been operative. lie thought it was a matter of great satisfaction that the sliding scale had been introduced. It was not a matter of the North Island versus the South Island, but cf tho Dominion as a whole.

" My Honourable Friend." "Why do you call him your honourable friend?" asked a voice when Mr. Coates had referred to Mr. If. E. Holland and the objectives of tho Labour Party. "Mr. Holland is the Leader of His Majesty's Opposition, and I always call him my honourable friend," Mr. Coates replied. "A? i> matter of fact I think Mr. Holland is a very good Leader of tho Opposition and that ho has done well there, so much so that 1 think he should remain as Leader of the Opposition. (Applause.) That's tho best term —Mr. Coates as Leader of tho Government and Mr. Holland as Leader of the Opposition." (Renewed applause.) Answering a question whether ho bolieved in tho conscription of wealth during war tho Prime Minister said in a time of crisis ilie Government was justified in taking every action it thought fit to meet it. Tho question, however, was a useless one, for ho could not see the possibility of war for another ten years at leart, and he thought there was every chance of a much longer period of peace.

'A PTjAOE for women.

SOME READY ANSWERS.

"Is the candidate in favour of women members of Parliament ?" was a question addressed to Mr. K. McLennan, the TTnited Party candidate for Wellington Suburbs, the other night.

Mr. McLennan said ho believed there were many women who could do a lot, better than sorno of the men. "Women have coirio to the front a lot recently," said (he candidate. "Look at the women who have swum tho English Channel, I don't think there's a man hero to-night who could do it." (Laughter.) Ho believed that women of the right type would be of great value in Parliament, particularly in the Committees.

A Voice: T>o you believe in women in the Legislative Council? (Laughter.) ter.) Mr. McLennan: That is easily answered, because I do not believe in the Legislative Council at all. f believe too much of t.lie work of the country is done m the Legislative Council instead of in the House of Representatives. Look at what they did to the Summer Time Bill. Another Voice: Does tho candidate believe in women in tho borne ? Mr. McLennan: That is easily answered, too. for I've got one of tho best wives in Wellington. (Applause.)

NEW CANDIDATE FOUND.

UNITED PARTY IN CHALMERS. [BV TELEGRAPH. —OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN, Thursday Mr. J. P. Walls, Mayor of Mosgiel, whose name went to tho selection ballot with that of Mr. John Loudon as the TTnited Party candidate for Chalmers, has definitely announced that he will contest the seat. Mr. Loudon announced bis withdrawal on Monday on the ground that bo could not support the huge borrowing proposals of Sir Joseph Ward.