HAURAKI BY-ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20882, 26 May 1931, Page 11

HAURAKI BY-ELECTION.

$() MONEY FOR FARMERS. REFORM LEADER'S CHARGE. f'THE COFFERS ARE EMPTY." PENALTIES ON WORKERS. Scmo direct questions upon tho policy ' of tho United Government wero asked by ■the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. J G. Coates, while speaking at Te Kauwhata yesterday afternoon, in support of Mr. W. W. Massey, Reform candidate in iho Hauraki 'by-election. "Apart from a partial moratorium, and fonT> slight measure of assistance for the purchase of fertilisers through tho Rural Intermediate Credits Associations, what has :he. present Government done to assist iho primary producer?" Mr. Coates asked. Ho said tho burden of economic pacrifico ' in( l l" 10011 unduly placed upon ihe shoulders of many of tho workers throughout the country. Railway workers, besides having a 10 per cent, cut, had been penalised by higher rents at a time Tvhen they could least afford it, and thoir sacrifice had amounted in some cases to 25 per cent, of their income. Mr. Coates dealt with the necessity for reducing costs and with tho State Advances Department, the coffers of which ho said were empty. "The Minister of Labour says there is money in the fund," Mr. Coates added, ."but I have 200 applicants in my elec-

torale and elsewhere in New Zealand who are unable to pet anything. The applications are being dealt with, as the Government say?/. They are being refused. The Government is not paying a penny pipes into the fund." Mr. W. 11.I 1 . Endean, M.P., spoke briefly, ■warning Iho electors of Ilauraki that the Country Tarty was a, clog in the political machine. It was only bv the solidity of the farmers and the avoidance of disunity of any kind that the country would be brought through its present depression to prosperity. He had evidence to show that the Government bad been warned of the impending economic storm, but, beer less of the portents, it had carried on an extravagant policy with disastrous results. While money was being spent on fruitless projects like the South Island Mail Trunk railway, the farming community was being starved for funds. Strcng, sensible men were needed to keep the country stable. Mr. Coates and bis party would fill that requirement. There were 'about 60 at the meeting, was presided over by Mr. FulKam. Ir. the evening Mr. Coates, Sir James Pari' and Mi*. Endean spoke at Pokeno, where a large and interested audience gave the speakers an enthusiastic recep- / tion.

FAILURE OF FUSION.

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES.

MR. COATES' DECLARATION

"The history of other countries, particularly the British Empire, gives us evidence of the fact that departure from party principles leads to confusion," said th<» Right Hon. J. G. Coates, Leader of ■the Reform Party, when commenting on fusion at Clevedon. _ x "British and Australian politics show ih.at party amalgamations do not improve conditions," continued Mr. Coates. "It ran bo said with truth that countries which have remained true to the principles of party government have remained safe. They may he unpopular at times, but so long as they remain true and follow their principles closely wo find that these countries have met their emergencies better than where a hotch-potch or hasty amalgamation has been effected. This applies to New Zealand, where no such unsatisfactory mistake could be made."

DISABLED SOLDIERS.

PLEA FOR GREATER AID.

THE REHABILITATION ACT.

An urgent plea for the speedy relief fjf distress among disabled soldiers was -made by Mr. F. Waite, M.P. for Clutha, while speaking at Te Kauwhata yesterday in support of Mr. W. W. Massey. '* There is lio class of the community fhat has been humbugged about by the jiresent Government, so much as the dis«bled soldiers," said Mr. Waite. " 1 find as I go around this electorate that there am rnrfnv disabled soldiers who are worrying about their position and wondering when something is going to be done. J regret that. the position has not ini-

proved. " I do not saV fhat New Zealand has not dope well hv her returned men. This < ouritry ■ has provided for her wounded Tnen better than any other country in the world. But there are many who are getting a/ certain amount of money nnd who are unable to fit into jobs, and are breaking down because they have nothing to "occupy their minds. They rannot'do the same as Ihev did before

'the wur. Mr. Wait ft said that two years ago the Government was asked lo do sonnet hing for these mm, and Sir Thomas AVilford promised a commission. 'I lie commission was set up in October, 1929. and its report upon soldiers' rehabilitation was issued in May, 1930.' The Rehabilitation .Act, was passed in October, 3930, providing for the appointment of vocational and employment officers. When inquiries were made recently as to when these officers were to be appointed. the Government stated it was riot, now the intention to appoint, the officers. " Two years have passed and nothing lias been done," Mr. Waite oair.

HE PLY TO MR. RUSIIWORTII. EXPENDITURE ON ROADS. J i ROM 01 R OWN- CORRESPONDENT• 1 AVI IA N"O A K EI. Mends y. A statement made by Mr. IT. M. Rush tvorih Country Party M.P. hy Bay of Islands, that following the passing of the Main Highways Act by the Reform Government the cost of load work to North Auckland county councils had increased from £16,000 to £66,000, was criticised l\v Mr. J. A. S?. McKay, a member of the Whangarei County Council, at a meeting of Reform supporters at Maunu this evening. Mr. McKay said in the. year 1928 29 the total amount spent in maintaining the 725 miles of main and secondary highways in the eight Northern counties was £50.923. of which the counties contributed only £18,236./ the other £32.687 being paid bv the Main Highways Board. In the year 1929 30 the total expenditure was £64.735, the proportion being £22,029 and £42.756.

A resolution wishing Mr. W. W. Massey, the Reform Party candidate for the Hauraki scat, success in the by-election jvas carried unanimously,-