INDEPENDENCE IDEAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20087, 26 October 1928, Page 16

INDEPENDENCE IDEAL.

PARTY SYSTEM CONDEMNED.

SPEECH AT WHANGAREI.

ASPIRATIONS OF MR. CURTIS

[llY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAREI, Thursday. Mr. A. IT. Cuitis, tho Independent candidate for Marsden, addressed a meeting of over 200 electors in tho Town Ilall, Whangarei, last evening. In his platform pamphlet ho describes himself as "The people's candidate." Ho considered party politics wore a pernicious systenrt- and that an independent was an ideal representative for the people, as he represented all the people. Dealing with tho present parties in Parliament tho candidato said the Government party had failed to justify itself. It had not given a sound land policy and had failed to give cheaper money so necessary to tho development of the country. The candidato contended the electors could not afford to support that party as it was at present constituted. Regarding the Labour Party ho said there was too much of a feeling of insecurity to place it in the Treasury benches. Its extreme Utopian ideas were too insecure. Ho thought it was better to keep Labour on tho Opposition benches until it was better known.

The United Party was the old Liberal Party resurrected, together with a few disgruntled politicians with tho old leader at their head, said Mr. Curtis. The only difference between this party and the Reform Party was that it wanted to borrow £2,000.000 a year more. Voice: What party do you represent ? Another Voice: He is another party on his own. Land and Customs. Dealing with the land question the candidato claimed there was no sound land policy heforo the people. A total of 13,000 men had walked off tho land in the last five years. Tho Minister of Lands had said that the averago farmer required more land. That was quite wrong.

There were 2,721,488 acres of Crown* land suitable for cutting up. The Crown had acquired by purchase in North Auckland 7689 acres. In addition there was 100,000 acres of gum land in the North suitable for cultivation, stated Mr. Curtis. There were too many men in the towns and a policy was needed to get these men back on to the land. The candidate suggested adopting tho old homestead scheme, but that with its rcadoption there should bo more Statp assistance. Fifty per cent, of the revenue of tho country came through tho customs, said Mr. Curl is. This was too much for the working man to pay. There was only 19 per cent, derived from income tax, and only 7 per cent, from land tax. The small man was taxed too heavily and tho big man too lightly. Land tax should be m ch higher. The candidate considered an extension of the advances to settlers' scheme the only way to get cheaper money.

Roading problems were then dealt with by Mr. Curtis, who considered roads should come before electricity. Ho believed in the speedy completion of tho main railways, but that no more side lines should bo constructed. The secondary industries 01, the country should be assisted and fostered by bonus ot otherwise by the Government. This would help to deal with tho unemployed problem. The Government should restrict immigration until the present unemployed were absorbed. Supporting a Party. The candidato believed ui a compulsory superannuation fund, based on wages and income. The superannuation age should be about 65. This would not be a pen sion but a form of saving. In reference to education tho candidato said he had 17 years' experience with schools, and for six years had been chairman of tho largest school in the district. All school books should be provided free by tho do partmont. There should be an increase in the teaching staff. Reference was also made oy the candidate to public health and defence. Regarding the latter ho said the territorial scheme was contrary to British freedom. Why should a man be compelled to train after he was 2J years of ago? He favoured a referendum on the question of military training. In reply to a question the candidate said he would not vote against tho present Government on a no-confidenco motion until there was a better partyopen for him to support, and there was no such other party now.

The candidate believed in the Bible in the schools, but wanted it under a system whpre there would bo no sectarian strife. All children should have a knowledge of tho Bible, On the licensing question ho was in favour of a bare majority and a two-issue ballot paper. The form should bo six years or nino years. A vofo of confidence and thanks was carried with but few dissentients.