ELECTION NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20088, 27 October 1928, Page 15

ELECTION NOTES.

HAVEN OF PROSPERITY. RISKS OF "BOOM" POLICY, "If tlio United Party is returned with its huge spending programme then w® shall see something akin to the experienco of Victoria when the Gillies Government was in power," says Mr. J. Bcanland, Reform candidate fpr Lytlelton. "A huge borrowing policy, a period of boom, then a shonl of bankruptcies. Let New Zealand make no mistake, we are emerging from a period of depression and prospects for tlio future look very bright. "Let us stick to the ship which lias weathered the storm and which will surely bear us safely into the calm waters of prosperity. The Government is doing something for the country, and will do something fur more than any other Government that might be returned to power could do at the present time."-

OLD AGE PENSIONS. "When old age pensions aro given, great care should bo exercised," said Mr. J. J. Clark, Independent Reform candidate, in a speech in Wellington. "We should see if the relatives of people who are applying for an old age pension aro not ablo to maintain them. It should only be at tho cost of tho State as a last resort, but I know of cases where people have had means and havo transferred those means to others so that they can become more eligible for pensions. A system of universal, contributory, compulsory pensions would meet the case." "THE MOST LIBERAL PARTY." "Is it a fact that you stood for tho Wellington Suburbs seat in 1919 as a Liberal?" was a question put to Mr. Dunbar Sloane,' Reform candidate for Wellington Central, tho other night. "1 stood against the present Minister of Education in 1919 as a Liberal," replied Mr. Sloane, "I was a Liberal then, and 1 am a Liberal still, and let mo tell you that the Reform Government is by far the most Liberal party in New Zealand to-day." FRIENDS AND ENEMIES. "In tlio event of tho United Party moving a vote of no-confidence in the Government, how would the Labour Party vote?" was a question put to Mr. Walter Nash, Labour candidate for Hutt, the other night. "That is a strange possibility to anticipate," replied Mi - . Nash. "I don't know now tho Labour Party would vote if that happened. Possibly they would vote to get rid oi tho present Government that they might get a little more out of tho United Party. However, I can't seo any difference between tho two parties; it's a case of Tweedledum and Tweedledce. But better the open enemy than the plausible friend." LEGISLATION BY MAGIC. "A section of tho community seems to think that legislation is a kind of magic wand," said tho Minister of Education, Hon. R. A. Wright, in a speech in ,Wellington this week. When there was a fall in the price for the Dominion's primary produce the Government was blamed. Some people seemed to think that the Government could wave a wand and make money. INDUSTRL4.L UNION CONTROL. "In some directions we are getting too much industrial union control and too little common-sense control," said Hon. J. A. Young, speaking with reference to [ apprenticeships at Hamilton this week. Mr. Young said ho was in favour of some modification of the system to make it easier for boys to get employment as apprentices in the various trades. POLITICAL ENEMIES. . Tribute to political enemies was paid by Mr. J. A. Lee, Labour candidate foxAuckland East, speaking at Devonport last evening in support of the Waitemata candidate, Mr. A. G. Osborne. "Apart from political issues I have a good feeling toward Gordon Coates." he said. "I like him as a man outside the House. He is a likeable fellow, but geniality does not constitute political ability. I have always found Sir Joseph Ward a very courteous gentleman, but I have contempt for that party which has fostered all the heat and burden of its campaign on the shoulders of a sick man. I havo every admiration for Sir Joseph, but none for those people who unloaded this burden on him.".

EtAPPINESS AND BEER. Mr. Charles Todd, Reform candidate for Dunedin South, find president of the New Zealand Alliance, is finding that • his strong prohibition views furnish the intcrjector with ammunition., Here is a typical interlude which took place at his Caversham meeting this week:— The Candidate: And now wo come to the question of tho health and happiness of the people, and that is the main thing after all, isn't it? A Voico (plaintively): How can a man bo happy if you take away his beer ? Tho Candidate: I havo seen some pretty unhappy folk the morning after tho night before. The Voice (decisively): Bad beer. CANDIDATE'S READY REPLIES. Sir. A.- M. Samuel, Reform candidate for Thames, has a quick and pleasant way of dealing with interjectors. At Paeroa this week a section of the audience was rather disturbed by a persistent tapping on the floor. "It is all right, ladies and gentlemen," confidentially explained the candidate. "I am getling that npplauso from a most intelligent-looking dog." (Laughter.) "What do you know about work ? _ was a question put by a persistent questioner at Thames on Thursday evening. "There is no man in this room who has worked harder than I have, was tho reply. "I havo carried my swag, felled bush, fired ships, trimmed coal and scaled ships' boilers for 5s * day, and I havo always managed io keep myself respectable." (Loud applause.) "Tell us tho next winner at Avondale," was another request from tho back benches of tho crowded hall. "I should not worry, my boy," replied Mr. Samuel. "You will bo ono of tho first there the way you are going." (Loud laughter.)

"A POWER UNTO HIMSELF." "How is it that Sir Francis Bell, this 'uncrowned King of New Zealand,' can hold a portfolio?" was a question put to Mr. R. McKeen (Labour), in a speech in Wellington. "It is well known that Sir Francis is the Government," replied Mr. McKeen. 110 added that Sir Francis Bell had long years of service to his credit. Mr. McKeen said it would have been utterly impossible for Mr, Coates to have carried on without the assistance of Sir Francis Bell, who was a very able man; one of thr> ablest in the Southern Hemisphere. "Ho is a power unto himself," declared Mr. McKeen. LEGISLATORS* HONORARIA. "Will you vote against any increase in the salary of members of Parliament when it comes before Parliament ?' asked an elector of Sir John Luke in Wellington on Thursday evening. . , . "Members of Parliament suffered a cut when the civil service had a cut, replies the candidate. "When the civil service J,.,.] i ia ck what they consider they should have, then members of Parliament should have their little bit also.