ELECTION NOTES.

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

ELECTION NOTES.

A QUESTIONER SILENCED.

VIEWS OF SOLDIER SETTLERS,

A tribute, rendered all tlio more sincere by its spontaneity, was offered in respect of tho Government's assistance to t-.oldior sqttlers by ono of thorn at (lie Hon. 0. J. ITawken's meeting at Rahotu. A questioner insisted that tho Government liad dono nothing i'or tho soldier se'lllers on the Parihaka Block.

"1 will answer that, Mr. Chairman,'' exclaimed a returned soldier from Parihaka, jumping up. " Tho Government, has given us consideration. Every caso has received sympathetic attention, and we are all supporting tho Government candidate." (Applause.) The questioner did not pursue the subject. WHEN MEN ARE WOMEN. Sir James Gunson, at New Lynn last evening, when replying to Mr. Mason's statement that 13,060 men had walked off tho land, said this was a mis-statement. He found, on referring to the Abstract of Statistics, that of tho 13,000 men referred to 8!XX) wcio women, (Laughter.) lie proceeded to explain that owing to the introduction of modern machinery and different, methods of fanning, a large number of share milkers were not now employed ou farms. The, use of farm tractors had also resulted in a lesser number of farm hands being required. Tlio answer to the Labour Party s criticism was to bo found in tho heavy increase in our exports and the largo increase in the head of cattle and sheep. PLATFORM ETIQUETTE. Thcro was a coincnlenco in political courtesies last evening. Mr. F. J. Lysnar, Reform candidate for Auckland Central, and Mr. W E. Parry, Labour candidate, having occasion to refer to the etiquette of the campaign within a few minutes of one another at meetings held at opposite corners of the electorate. Mr. Lysnar was asked ill the Epiphany Hall if he could name one instance of beneficial work performed by Mr. Parry during his three terms in Parliament. The Reform candidate replied he would not indulge in personalities or dissect the work of another candidate on tho platform. Shortly afterwards, in Nelson Street, Mr. Parry had occasion to remark: "My opponents are fighting 'clean.' and I want to express my appreciation of the part they are playing." LABOUR AND REFERENDUMS. Mr. J. S. Fletcher, United Party candidate for Grey Lynn, wants to know why Labour, which professes adherence to the principle/of the referendum, avoids putting the theory into practice in connection with the Bible-in-schools question. "The Labour Party believes in the referendum except on this one point," he declared during an address at the Grev Lynn Library last evening. "Why don't they trust the people cn this question?" For his own part he is strongly in favour of the people expressing their own opinion on this debatable topic. BOUND HAND AND FOOT. In the course of an address in Wellington Mr. Martin Luckie said the LabourSocialist members entered Parliament tied hand and foot by the party's constitution, objectives and platform, which were entirely socialistic in character, though they carefully refrained from giving the electors any information on the subject. Every Labour member entering Parliament was subject in any political matter of importance, to the absolute control of ihe executive oi the Labour Representation Committee, and was bound to act in accordance with its decisions, regardless of his own convictions or tlio wishes of his constituents. This executive consisted of a president, vice-president, secretary and committee of 17, elected by delegates appointed by various Labour organisations, and this executive, an entirely irresponsible one, controlled the Labour members in Parliament. Tlius, the electors who sent the Labour members to Parliament were left in entire ignorance of tho principles and policy which they themselves were supporting in doing bo. MOTOR-CARS AND POLITICS. The use Mr. V. H. Potter, Reform candidate for Eden, has for motor-cars was explained by him last evening, when he was referring to the largo importation of cars. "And who cannot do without a car'{" he added. A Voice: You seem to enjoy them. You always come to a meeting in one. The Candidate: Yes, but it is always another man's car. PRIME MINISTER'S SALARY. A laugh greeted the Prime Minister's assertion at Stratford on Monday night that he was dependent upon farming for a livelihood. "You think because I get £IBOO a year I am a wealthy individual," he rejoined. "Ladies and gentlemen, I don't get much of that. I have got a large family, a million and a-half, and by the time I have gone the rounds you can have the rest. There isn't much left." " NOT VERY UNITED." " This so-called United Party is not very united now," remarked Mr. J. A. Flesher, Reform candidate for Kaiapoi, tho other evening. "Candidates are withdrawing, and others aro decrying tlio policy of their leader." NEW ZEALAND'S WATER WIZARD. In the course of an address at Mercury Bay, the Reform candidate for Thames, | Mr. A. M. Samuel, was interrupted by a remark: "If you play the game us well as you used to you'll do inc." Inquiry revealed that the interjector, along with Mr. Samuel, had represented Wellington at Rugby and swimming for several seasons. " Why, in tho nineties" said the enthusiast ic interjector, " lie used to be billed as tho ' Water Wizard of New Zealand'." RELIEF PAY AND INSURANCE. A comparison between tho unemplo\rment insurance scheme operating in Australia and tho system of providing work at relief rates of pay adopted in New Zealand was drawn by Sir. Dunbar Sloane, Reform candidate for Wellington Central, last week. Which system was the better from the worker's point of view? nsked the candidate. In Australia individual workers received a weekly allowance of 15s to 20s with additions fin- married men supporting families. Tho Act provided that the rale of sustenance allowed should not in any case exceed one half the amount of wages payable under any award. " 1 ask you," said Mr. Sloane, " is nol relief work at 12s and 9s a day much better than this vaunted Labour Government action ?" Indeed, the Labour candidate stated that half a million pounds had been paid in Australia in the last year under this system for which not a tap of work had been done. A KAFFIR GREETING. \ nlensant surprise awaited Mr. A. MSamuel, Reform candidate f« r Tlinm p s, the Close of an address at The candidate was greeted nt' d dialect by Mr. W. T<1 1> V wl. to s rve "Boss, I salute you and wont to and twenty yenvsaKOd £ mot^g Ml , I* R °T ,Jx" div to Kuaotunu, over what Si,"defied „ S "the worst road rn Zoalaiid.