NATIONAL CANDIDATE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12252, 25 September 1925, Page 6

NATIONAL CANDIDATE

ADDRESS AT THAMES COMMISSION ON LOCOMOTIVES. Per Press Association. THAMES, September 24. Mr W. E. G. Willy, National candidate lor Thames, addressed elesetors last night He said he served his time in the’ engineering trade, but lately had been farming. He claimed, as a worker, to understand conditions as they were to-day. Regarding fusion, ho said, the Premier had upset all calculations, obviously influenced by the Hon. A. D. M’Leod. The National Party was prepared to amalgamate at any time. Ho pointed out that the present unstable Government was resulting in no progressive legislation this session. He favoured two issues only in the Liquor question; the elective Upper House; preferential voting; maternity homes as a directcharge on the State; no religion in schools; and uniform school books. He drew attention to the laxness of tho Prisons Board, and the “disgraceful way’’ the Valuation Department was run. He eulogised Mr Coates’s railway policy, hut said that all orders for rolling stock should be placed in New Zealand. He alleged that commission had been paid agents amounting to £34,000 over the last order for locomotives, etc., no. one could say why. He advocated Cheaper telephones, and a return to the sixpenny telegram. He attacked the Public Works Waihou River improvement scheme, and also the Hauraki drainage scheme which, ho said, would eventually have to com on the Consolidated Fund.

A vote of thanks was unanimously passed.