ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 13

ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

'A ROYAL PROGRESS.

TOUR OF PRIME MINISTER.

WELCOME IN MANAWATU. GOOD RECEPTION EVERYWHERE. [|)V 1 El.Ei iII. VI'II. —OWN C'lUMl I'.Sl'ON riEN'i'. ] LEVIN, Wednesday. The l'riine Minister, Mr. Coales, made a royal progress through tho M anawatu today. Wanganui electors had two further opportunities of bearing Mr. Coates before ho left this morning, when he laid tho foundation-stone of the new hostel for the boys of the Wanganui Technical Collego and later opened the A. and P. Association's Show.

Mr. Coates set ,i line ideal of citizenship before the boys, who were called on to remember that the Hag under which they were assembled stood for liberty, honour nuil equal opportunity, and that it was their duty as they grew up to see that tliev did 'heir utmost to help New Zealand to move forward. As a memento of I lie occasion, Mr. Coales was presented with a silver trowel by the senior prefect (in behalf of the Board of Governors. "I have been a farmer for 40 years and I know this Government has done more for the tanners than any other that 1 have had anything to do with," said Mr. Donald Ross, president of the A. and P. Association, and the tribute was endorsed bv tho gathering of farmers. Mr. Coates quoted statistics showing how production had increased in tho past few years, in refutation of the suggestions of those whom he described as "Jeremiahs and croakers," going about saying that tho country had "gone to the dogs." Danger of Vote-Splitting. The main street of Bulls was decorated with bunting in honour of tho Prime Minister's visit. Mr. and Mrs. Coates and party were entertained at luncheon by tho local Reform executive. When his health was being proposed Mr. Coates was assured that ill spite of a split vote, Manawatu would be sound and would return the official Reform candidate, Mr. .T. Linklater. Regret was expressed by Mr. Coates that there should be rivals for the support of the Reform voters in any electorate, and while it was pleasant to know that good men were ready to give their services to aid the Government, there was always tho danger that a third candidate would slip in between,the rivals. Mr. Coates said it did not seem to be fair that a man who had won the seat and had probably fought several elections, should be asked to go to a selection ballot. It was the duty of the candidate who did not have tho official nomination to consider whether the interests of the Government should not come first, so that there would be a solid front and no chance of a safe, sound majority being lessened.' The same duty devolved on the electors. Indicative of the feeling of Bulls was tho enthusiastic reception again accorded to Mr. Coates when he appeared among iho crowd outside. "That, is father funny," he said. "No one has said 'Hear, hear,' when I said some people contended that the country was 'going to the dogs,' and I had a reply all ready for him." A Voice: But *we are all with you (Applause. I Welcome From Children. ('beers rang out for Mr. and Mrs. Coates as thev made ready to move on to 'Foxton. At Foxton a pleasant surprise awaited them. All the children of the school were drawn up alongside the road, across which four little girls held blue and white ribbons, making a. barrier impossible to pass. Mr. Coates had a lot of ground to cover to-day, but ho stopped for a few minutes to talk to the children and then send them away to plav on the committee's acceptance of his suggestion that the occasion of his first visit to tho Foxton School should be marked by freeing the children for the remainder of the afternoon.

A loud-voiced and persistent interjector was promptly dealt with when tho Prime Minister spoke to a large meeting in the Foxtorj Town Hall. "No schools have been built in tho country," the rnan kept, on calling out. .Mr. Coatos patiently insisted that new schools had been built in the rural districts and that if necessary oliicial figures V.ouhl lie furnished. "That is not so; T differ," the man shouted. The Prime .Minister: I'm afraid you know nothing about schools. I think you bad one in your district quite recently. .Anyhow, what is your name'.' The fntei jector: I'm not. voting for you. The Primu Minister: Thank goodness for that. A Voice: 'lbis gentleman wants a two-up school. (Laughter.) Invalidity Pensions Scheme. "T think invalidity pensions will fie about tho first thing we shall tackle," tlm Prime Minister said when dealing with the policy of the Government in humanitarian legislation. "We. have already gone a long way in working out tho scheme and seeing how we can work in with tho friendly societies. The scheme may cost about £3C0.000 to £350.000." A Voice: Ton much. "Jt is not too much," the Prime Minister replied in decisive tones. "It is not too much, because the present position is unfair. It, is wrong for a. man to think lie would be better out of the wav, because bis wife and children would then jret tho pensori. I have worked on this scheme for years and f believe wo have over the difficulties at last." A Voice: Tt, .sounds grand, l>ut it you Pint too long they will all be dead. The Prime Minister: I agree. We must not wait long, but, don't, forget it is this Government that has tackled it. Nobody else diil it. It is a matter of allocating the responsibility for carrying it out. "You have a go on the land for 20 years arid see how you like it," called the interjector later. The Prime .Minister: Why, I had more than 20 vear,s oil the land. I am not a "dud" farmer, either. (Applause.) I have had to go through the thick of it. ( Renewed applause. ) "I don't think there is any doubt as to what (lovernment is being returned nest Wednesday," .Mr. Coates concluded. 'I he Prime Minister was accorded a nuai.iinous vole of thanks and confidence and lie and his pally were entertained at. I eft by Ibo l!<eturncd Soldiers' AssoeiaI ion. Shannon residents crowded into the ci'iini il chambers to meet, the Prime Minister ami alter he had spoken for a few "limitrs they endorsed the sentiments of 1' O \ I (111. I lie Prime Minister had an enthusiastic meeting at I,eviri this evening. Once again the audience was 100 large for the theatre, and afler they had heard Mr. Coates expound the policy and deeds of the I'ovei ni lent he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, with the singing of 'T"r lie's a Jolly Good Fellow" and cheers. MISS ELLEN MELVILLE. An a idienee of several hundred gave Miss E. Melville, Reform candidate for Hoskill, an attentive hearing in The J'rive, Epsom, last evening. Mr. f. Gray presided. There were a few interruptions at the opening, but the nieetimr soon settled down to intelligent questioning. r l ho candidate spoke for 2} hours, prolonging her address at the request of tho audience, and concluding amid applausii.