MANUKAU CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22524, 15 September 1936, Page 10

MANUKAU CONTEST

REPLY TO CRITICISM MR. DOIDGE'S POSITION, NEVER STOOD AS. DEMOCRAT MESSRS. COATES AND FORBESA portion of last night's campaign address by Air. F. W. Doidge, National candidate for Manukau, was devoted to a reply to recent Ministerial criticism of his p'osition. Mr. Doidge said that in their attacks upon him on successivo Saturday nights at Ellcrslie, tho Minister of Education, Hon. P. Eraser, and the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R, Semplo, sought to convey th'e impression that he had fought Rotorua as a Democrat, and that he had since changed his political beliefs, and was prepared to follow Mr. Coatcs and Mr. Eorbes as leaders. Neither statement was true. "He fought Rotorua as an Independent against a Democrat, Professor Corbin. Ho stood as an Independent because ho could not, anil would not, follow the leadership of Mr. Coates and Mr. Forbes.

A Candid Opinion Personally, ho said ho had nothing against either man. Mr. Forbes probably had more friends, outsido politics than any man in the country, but insida politics his friends wore few. He was an honest man in politics, but something more than a reputation for honesty was needed in a leader.

Mr.. Coatcs was, in the speaker's opinion, the ablest man in Parliament to-day. But he had lost touch with the people. He made a god of efficiency, and during the depression he succeeded in keeping the country solvent. He had become hard, aloof and intolerant, but a year or'two in the political wilderness would have a softening and humanising effect. That he would in the course of time establish a comeback as a political leader was a definite possibility. ■ " I am an anti-Socialist," said Mr. Doidge. " We have n Socialist Government in power, elected on a minority vote of the people. To approach the next general election with a division of, forces will be to make a present of the Treasury benches to the Socialist Party for another three years. A consolidation of the anti-Socialist forces will turn the Socialists out of offico. To achieve this purpose the new National Party has been established. *' It is ' a Tiew organisation, with new ideals and a new leader, who will be neither Mr. Forbes nor Mr. Coates.

Inconsistency Denied " There is nothing inconsistent in my association with the new party," Mr. Doidge continued. " I have worked hard to bring it into being, so that I occupy a different position from that of my opponent, Mr. Osborne. He is only a pawn in the game. He dare not give a promise to the electors outside the set policy of the Soviet—that body altogether outside Parliament, the Labour Representation Committee —for fear of being pulverised and steamrolled out of existence. It is the Soviet I attack, not the puppet of the Soviet. " Labour legislation will tend more than ever to make the people of this country so many molly-coddles and nitwits," Mr. Doidge said, in advising electors not to be further gulled by the wiles and machinations of Labour. He added that their choice was between a candidate who was a party hack; pledged to a policy of State Socialism, and another who would fight as vigorously inside the House as outside for the freedom of the subject. Sinking in. Quicksands

Mr. Doidge referred to Parliament as a glorified parish pump, where representatives were' sent who understood nothing of politics and world affairs. He said its Ministers had become swollen-headed with power, and he warned electors against "sinking in the quicksands" of further industrial legislation. He advocated extensive immigration as a solution to unemployment, absorption of secondary industries within the country itself, and further development of the land. A vote of confidence in the speaker and new-party was carried by acclamation, without a dissentient, after a lengthy session of questioning the candidate.

NATIONAL PARTY APPEAL TO SUPPORTERS An appeal to supporters of the New Zealand National Party to do their utmost to further the organisation's interests was made by. Mr. S. G, Holland, M.P. for Christcluirch North, in an address to supporters of the party in the Unity Hall last night. Mr. L. Alderton presided.

Mr. Holland dealt with recent industrial legislation which, he said, had had a detrimental effect on various sections of industry. Ho referred to difficulties experienced in Australia in attempts to, fix a basic wage. He strongly criticised, various Government measures, with particular reference to the terms of employment of apprentices.

MEETINGS TO-NIGHT The Labour candidate, Mr. A. G. Osborne, will address a meeting of electors in the Merrylands Hall, Oranga Avenue, to-night. Mr. W. J. Lyons, M.P., also will speak. Mr. P. W. Doidge, the National Party's candidate, will speak in Foresters' Hall, Onehunga, to-night. Mr. S. G. Holland, M.P. for Christchurch North, also will give an address.