POLITICAL ARENA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23149, 22 September 1938, Page 15

POLITICAL ARENA

WARNING TO VOTERS MR. COATES' APPEAL SlAtri' DANGERS AHEAD SAFE COURSE AVAILABLE r BT TELEGHAPFI —OWN CORRESPONDENT] L DARGAVILLE, "Wednesday The dangers inherent in a policy of socialism were stressed by the Rt. Hon. j Coates in opening his campaign for tho Kaipara 'electorate in the Emn.VP Theatre, Pargaville, this evening. The Mayor of Dargavillc, Mr. P. r;hcon presided over an audience of about 900. Early'in .Mr. Coates' address interruptions were fairly frequent, but later he was £ ivon an attentive hearU> Mr Coates said he had represented Kaipara since 1911. It was his own district and ho was out to win again. He had been accifsed of stopping tho construction of the railway to Dargafille, but those actually responsible W ere' the very men who were now putting the work in hand. Rights oi the Individual The right of the individual to free speech ?nd free action was defended by Mr. Coates, who said the people of the Dominion had a heritage of democrat which was now being threatened. Jhe' Government was claiming credit " [or evervthing that was good—for past nrtues and present prosperity. Social services had been built up in the Dominion Jong before Labour assumed office, and rising prices overB eas were the basis on which present prosperity rested. An increased demand for New Zealand's products on the world's markets alone enabled an additional £30,000,000 to be circulated in the Dominion. Increased Expenditure "Appropriations passed in the House & few days ago amounted to £62,000.000," said Mr. Coates. One needs to go back and compare that with the iigure of £25,500,000 which was the cost of running the country in 1935. The Labour- Party cannot hope - to maintain the present pace." A Voice: Oh, yes, they can Mr. Coates: It is the peoples credit that is being dissipated. In 1936 taxation per head of population "in New Zealand was £l6 os 6d, said Air. Coates., Tho figure rose to £l9 14s lOd in 1937, and to £23 Is 3d in 1938. , , . „ A Voice: "What about the income r Mr. Coates: Even if the income is'in the same proportimi to the increased taxation, you are-just where you were and there is no benefit. Lower Taxation Needed It was highly 'necessary that tax- ' ation should be lowered as soon as posx sible. suid .Mr; Coates. One urgent necessitv was that young people should be given an opportunity of establishing themselves. < A Voice: Back in the camps. Mr. Coates: That is where they will probablv be if Labour continues. You want to watch what has happened in other Socialist countries. The objective of the Labour Party was still the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange. Mr, Coates continued. The legislation of the last three years gave the Government power to commandeer the whole of the Dominion's production, and statements bv the Prime Minister and his colleagues could not reassure tho farmers on that point. The Housing Scheme With regard to the Government housing scheme* Mr. Coates raised the question whether the rents wero such as could be met by the average working man over a number of years. The rents demanded might be feasible in good times, but they would be impossible if prices fell. It would be wiser to ascertain the average wage earned orfcr the years' and provide workers with houses at rents which could be met from that wage. As it was, more new houses had been built in 1935 than in 1938. t Discussing the * arrangements made for political broadcasting during the election campaign, Mr. Coates said the policy of the Government clearly savoured of Fascism. Apparently the Government was endeavouring to force its views on the- people, irrespective of their wishes. Social Security Costs Reference was also made bv Mr. Coates to the social security legislation passed last /session. There was no provision under tho Act for meeting future liabilities, he said, and if those liabilities were not met all the pensions benefits which had built up over the last 40 years would be destroyed. Eton the first year's obligations would necessitate a tax of about 2s 6d in the pound. Mr.. Coates Contradicted claims by Labour speakers that the present Government was responsible for reductions m interest, adjustment of mortgages and conversion of loans and pointed out that all those tasks had been accomplished by the previous Government. He then discussed in detail the various items contained in the National "arty's manifesto, which, he said, °£« cd. a safe alternative to a policy °f Socialism. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks and confidencp.

RADIO y SPEECHES GOVERNMENT'S ALLOCATION WOMAN ASKS A QUESTION The allocation of party speakers for national broadcasts was raised at £°«"ick last night when Mr. C. It. ptrie, M.P., Government candidate ° r Otahuhu, opened his campaign. A lonian asked him if he considered the apportionment was fair to the National "arty. lhere are two Independents and the 'rector of Commercial Broadcasting J*?* 1 "®?. f° r the Government," she Will you answer me yes or no?" J decline to give a Hat affirmative ? e S.ative," replied Mr. Petrie. After Viewing the claims of the Independent embers, he said, in reference to the Ppositioii, "1 (jon't think we should too generous to them, anyhow."

Minister "picks" pocket

Shouting; "Good old Paddy," a memj.l" °* the audience at a meeting adt» Ese £ b y the Minister of Mines, the tn i • Webb, at Hokitika, stepped Min + ,out the theatre during the tirr.l r ? a ddress, and insisted on a handshake. The Minister deisir u e a " di , en ™ by cleverly rcmovhi« a , °.^' e of whisky protruding from aiivi-" nirer s bip-pocket, and told the to fi le ' lC i e la ' : bo was then prepared ttan D i s lU 'dress, which he did. The " n -i oso pocket the Minister to tli i ' a^cr threw a 10s note on irniv, 6 -t! 01111 ' and-said he had come Wiu Uce reluctantly actio \r < ret urn of the whisky from r mi£ tcr after the meeting.