ELECTION PROMISES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20304, 11 July 1929, Page 13

ELECTION PROMISES.

PLANKS OF. UNITED .PARTY., NONE OF THEM YET FULFILLED. CANDID CRITIC IN HOUSE. [BY TELIiGHAHI. —SPECIAL nr.POßrEit.] AVI'. LLING TON, AVcdtiesda y. Humour has toyed with tho mimo of Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, Independent member for Egmout, and Hie prophecy has hecn made in some political quarters that lie is a potential l'riino Minister. Tho fact that he has returned to tho House as an Independent after previously following tho lloform Hag has focussed interest in his political destiny, and when ho spoko in tho Addrcss-iu-Koply dchato in tho llouso this evening ho was accorded the compliment of an exceptionally attentive hearing. 110 played tho rolo of a candid critic, endorsing some planks of tho Government's policy, but diftcring emphatically on tho question of railway policy Mr. Wilkinson, who spoko beforo tho Hon. J. 13. Donald, said tho United Party had assumed control of tho country s destinies, but so far not ono member of tho Ministry had made a speech in dofcnco of tho Government's policy. As a matter of fact, several Ministers had yet to make their maiden speech in Parliament. That was an exceptional state of affairs, brought about by tho fact that there had not been frequent changes of Government, 110 wa3 quito satisfied that no Government should remain in ollice for a period longer than, say, six or seven years. More frequent changes would allow of the development of nioro men capable of leading the country. Mr. F. I.angstono (Waimarino) : Try Labour. Taking Things Too Easy. " Yea, it. would not bo a bad idea ; it would wake (ho country up," replied Mr. Wilkinson. "It may bo what wo need. Wo aro apt to tako things too easy. Perhaps, if tho Labour Party gut into power and put their theories inlo operation it would make, the people take a. great ileal nioro iiilere.it in polities than they do to-dav.

A Member: Labour's day will come all right.

"I think those on the Labour benches must be gelling a little weary of waiting,'' said Mr. Wilkinson.

J\lr. 11. T. Armstrong ((.'hristchurch East): It is worth waiting for. Mr. 1!-. Scruple (Wellington East): \Yu arc quite opLimistic. Holding n|) i lie manifesto of the United Party, Mr. Wilkinson said the first lino in it promised cheaper money, but so far there had been no indication of a reduction in the price of money. None of tlio State departments had reduced tlu rales of interest. Furthermore, tlio banks were, still maintaining a high rate of interest. He did not know whether the Government could step in and compel tho associated banks to reduce tlio lending rate, but if it was possible to do anything ho hoped no time would be lost. Mr. Wilkinson said the United Party manifesto had also promised smaller holdings o'l the land, but so far there had been no increase in tlio holdings on farm lands. Tlkto was evidence of 20 or 30 new settlers, but that would riot offerL a rndif.il cure. Instead of dozens there must be thousands. (Ifcar, hear.) Cheaper Food Promised.

/'Completion of railways was another point, made in the. manifesto," added Mr. Wilkinson. "I here must disagree with the United Party. Also, it was stated that imported foodstuffs would come in customs free, but so far wo have had no intimation of any reduction in the duties on such foodstuffs as flour. Freedom of trade without Government interference was another statement. I don't quite know what that means, but I hope we w ill have freedom from interference, in business. No foolish or non-productive undertakings was another plank."

Mr. Wilkinson said he could subscribe to practically every plank in the United Party's policy. 'I he Government's ideas were Rood, but what ho wanted was,to see those ideas put. into effect. Cheap finance had been promised by the United Party—money lent at 4| per cent, without the cost of a single penny to the taxpayer. The Prime. Minister had probably found rpiitc a lot of difficulties in his way in his endeavour to effect such a desirable, change, "f always expressed mv doubts whether the money could he lent at that, price without, loss," said Mr. Wilkinson. "I still think the same." A MINISTER'S TOIIIJ. WEATHER AND THE SCENERY. [ r.v Tr.i.D.n.mr. —special hepoimeii.] \Y [•; |, r, INGTO N, Wed nerila y. Speaking in Ihe House to-day, Mr. E. F. Healv (Wan an) denied a statement by Mr. fl. S. S. Kyle (I! iicai ton ) that llio Minis tor ( ;,f I,'ailv.'ays, the ll"u. W. B. Taverner, had travelled over the route, of the South Island railway in a closed car on a, wetday and consequent ly had seen little, ol I lie count ry.

" I was with Mr. Taverner ami it was a beautiful day," said Mr. Ifealy. "The Minister saw both 'lie route and Hie louutrv, and lie knew what he was talking about when he gave, an interview lo a I 'hrisfchuii li newspaper."