ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19622, 28 October 1925, Page 4

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

SOUTHLAND ELECTORATE THE REFORM PARTY. .WALLACE SEAT. Address by mr adam-Hamilton. (From Our Special Reporter.) INVERCARGILL, October 27. Hr Adam Hamilton, the Reform candidate for th a Wallace seat, addressed a large meeting in the Thornbury Hall last night. Mr F. J. Linscope occupied the chair. Mr ..Hamilton, who was cordially received, said he had once thought he would not again be contesting the Wallace seat, but at a meeting held in Riverton some time ago ho had consented to stand, and, needless to say. (appreciated very much the honour of having been asked. He had contested the seat six years ago, and had won itj but had lost it at the Hast general election, and it was perhaps his turn now to win once more.—(Applause.) At the time of the last election, New Zealand had just passed through a very severe slump, -and naturally the Government had received a measure of blame; hard and, unpleasant things had been done, and, *as most sections of the community wore feeling the pinch, the Government consequently suffered, ;and, when the election was over, found itself without a majority. Now, however, the country had enjoyed a prosperous . time, and, as on the last occasion when the Government was blamed for the slump,, it should now receive a measure of credit for the good times that had prevailed, and still were prevailing. This was an important election, as it might bo the last time in which the two old_ great historic parties would face the election as separate parties. It was possible that when this election was over a new party with a new name mierht he formed to make political history. Since the last general election the country had lost the services of

THE LATE MR MASSEY, and he thought it was generally agreed bv all sections of the community, holding different shades of nnlitioel thought, that the deceased gentleman had served his country well during his long and difficult term of office. It was now. tho duty of vonnger men to take up the burden that’ ho waa ; compelled to lay down, and carry it on - another stage of the journey. That burden had fallen unon tho shoulders of Mr Coates, a young, energetic, hardworking Now Zealander. He appeared to be, tnd n d doubt was. the mo«f suitable and capable man on the political horizon to fill the office of Prime, Minister: he was a proved and trusted administrator, who had controlled the departments of State over which he had charge with credit to himself and value to the country. FUSION. After Mr Massey’s death an endeavour had been made to fuse the two old parties into one, but negotiations had broken down, and each now blamed the other for the cause of tho failure. It was not for him to say who was at fault, but tho most natural time for a fusion was perhaps after tho electors had expressed their opinion on election dav. On this occasion, it was tho duty of the electors to view the political situation and. vote for a party that would give more stability than had been experienced during the past three years. Tho election wag again being fought on the THREE PARTY ISSI;TE, but in reality there were only two parties—the Reform Party and the Labour Partywinch had its definite programme, with a clear-cut line of division between its poliev and the policy of Reform. Reform and Liberal could not have any very serious differences in political policy, because they wore both prepared to fuse into one party. and it did not appear, therefore that policy matters had caused the break-down. Many migb» condemn, the ; party Government, but it, would seem that as long as'hhrpan nature was in evidence and democracy was the form of election, party Government would continue. Of all the parties in the field, he considered Labour the best named. It, was a good party name with a certain amount of attractiveness about it, *bnt ho did not consider that any section of the community had any-exclusive right to tho name, “Labour,” or to class itself as representing the workers. He himself had ex, perionced more of the ordinary working man had to experience than many who stood in the interests .of I.abour. As a class labourers were equal to any other class ot the community and were employed in just as honourable an occupation. It was. not labour that he differed from. In past years, labour was organised into what, was called Trade Unions, which bad for their aim and obiect the betterment of the conditions of the workers in each in dnstry. That was a legitimate and justifiable organisation, but into this organisation there seemed to have come an extreme element with a foreign thought attached to it. It was from this extreme clement that he differed. .The Labour Party might call itself a Socialistic Party, and to that term he would not take any great exception. There was a sense in which he was a Socialist himself, as was evidenced from the Meat Export Control Act, which was one of the most Soialistic pieces of legislation that had been passed in Parliament; hut when their Labour friends advocated, overthrow of tho present capitalistic system, and would endeavour out of the ruins to build a socialistic state, he was compelled to disagree with them.—(Applause.) He was glad to see that Mr Holland, when speaking in , Invercargill, disclaimed any connection or sympathy with the doctrines of the Communists, but he (Mr Hamilton) had not seen the Labour Party in practice dissociate itself from those who held Communisticviews. On the contrary, they were inclined to sympathise with and shelter them ; the present British shipping strike which was so seriously affecting New Zealand trade was evidence of this. The Labour laws’ of New Zealand were good, and workers’ conditions were equal to, if not better than, those in any other pari of the world, although it was quite natural that they should seek to improve the present conditions. That was a legitimate object for any section of a community to strive after, and, indeed, the Government must at. the present time be holding the political balance fairly evenly between all tho sections of the people, as each section seemed to be nre«sing the Government for better conditions, and blaming the _ Government for over-severe treatment. This was shown from the pressure of the Labour Party, and also from the pressure and opposition from tho Farmers’ Party, and perhaps the business people as well thought, the Government too hard on them. THE NATIONALISTS were also offering their services to the electors, and seeking to receive their con. faience, but why they had changed their name from Liberal to National he could not understand. Liberal was a good party name, perhaps one of the best names that any party could enjoy, and he believed that when they changed their name they lost one of their best assets, as there were thousands of electors in New Zealand who would vote for a Liberal candidate just because he was a Liberal candidate, even though they did not know him, or his policy. It was not, however, so much the name as the policy or programme of the party that counted. Liberalism, as. a political doctrine, if ft meant sound and progressive legislation, would never die, but where was it to be found to-day? He claimed that it would be found more with Mr Ooatos than with any other Party in the House. The passing of Liberals was a world-wide movement. The great strength of the Liberals in the past was the Labour vote, but of late the Labour people had hived off into their own Party, and had withdrawn Labour's support from the .liberals, and, consequently, the Liberals were suffering from this loss. Their greatness was more in the past than in what they proposed to do. To-day tho country needed men who were looking forward to the work that could be accomplished m the next three years, instead of living in the greatness of their past achievements. lie believed that THE REFORM PARTY,

for which he stood, was ilie best party in the field, as the country was not yet ready to claim Mr Holland as Prime Minister, nor did it appear that Mr Forbes was tho man for the position. Now Zealand was the best governed country in the world, and for this tho Government was entitled To some credit.—(Applause.) There was no strife and no unemployment, and, further, there was perhaps no other country in the world where wealth was so equally distributed. There wore po very poor and no extremely rich in New Zealand, and it was well that it should ho so. We did not want any aristocracy here, and neither did wo want any slums. There was perhaps ao other country that could oiler

such opportunities to any person who cared to avail himself of them. The Government also had a clean legislative record. The Opposition were going round the country making all sorts of charges against the Government, but from what he could gather they were using only the old orthodox opposition cries, because they had no seiious charges that they could make, and the poverty of their charges showed that there was nothing particularly wrong with the present Administration. New Zealand also enjoyed on© of the best credits in the world, which was indeed something to bo proud of.—(Applause.) When the election was over, if no party were returned with an ' absolute majority, it would he necessary for those who were elected to review the position, and, if possible, arrange'' for a fusion or amalgamation to make for more stability than had been experienced in politics during the past three years, and, if elected, he would do his duty in this connection. What, then, was

THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY? In issuing a policy to the electors at election time, it was perhaps pardonable to consider what was popular and pleasing to the electors. The Reform Government’s policy contained no fanciful promises, but only a plain statement of what it considered to be in the best interests of the country for the next three years. For his part, he would much prefer to fight and lose, fighting for what he believed to be right, and In the best interests of all sections of the community, than to fight and win under false colours.—(Applause.) In Parliament, to-day members were wanted who would stand by what they believed to bo right, irrespective of the consequences. The Government intended to continue their (present successful policy, which was serving New Zealand so well.—(Appla'use.)

SOUND FINANCE was the foundation of most legislation, and the finance of the country must continue to be handled very carefully. The running of the Government was the biggest business in the Dominion. The revenue in round figures _ was about £28,500,009 and tho expenditure about £27,000,000, and it needed men with wide experience to handle this money wisely. The revenue was derived from the people hy taxation and other charges, which affected the national life very materially, while the handling of so large.- an amount of money was a grave responsibility. Ho was often surprised at the lack of experience of many candidates who offered themselves to the electors in the hope of becoming directors in the management of the country’s affairs. Some candidates would not be given a very high position in any of the smaller businesses in the community. He considered that the experience he had gained during his three years in Parliament, investigating a t a very difficult period the national revenue _ and expenditure, with a view to effecting economies wherever possible, had qualified him for this high responsible office.—(Applause.) He had also had a fairly wide and valuable experience in other public and private affairs. The opponents of the Government wore endeavouring to condemn it for the largeness of tho national debt, and for its borrowing policy. The debt was large, but it had to bo. understood before being criticised, and, strange to say, while these opponents would in one breath condemn tho Government for borrowing, in the next they advocated a policy that would necssitale borrowing many more millions. They should he consistent, and if they condemned borrowing they should advocate a policy (bat would result in reduction instead of un increase in the national debt. Although

THE NATIONAL DEBT was, in round figures, about £227,000,000, it was only to be expected in a country where the State carried out .so much of tho national development and owned so much of tho national assets. The largeness of the debt did not indicate financial insolvency. A farmer might have a mortgage on his property of £IO,OOO and still be a very wealthy man, whereas another farmer might have a mortgage of £2OOO, and be practicallv bankrupt. If the borrowed that would both relieve her and assist us. no serious complaint in this young country. In round figures, £56,000,000 of the national debt was invested in railways, telegraphs, electricity, and other businesses. This money all earned interest and cost the taxpayers nothing. There was a further £54,000,000 of the national debt in investments, such as advances to settlers, lands for settlement, and soldier settlements, etc. This monov also earned its own interest and cost the taxpayers nothing, and if we wished to reduce the national debt we ..could .sell these .national.- assets, but not. even the. Government’s opponents would suggest such a thing; indeed, they generally advocated a policy that would necessitate the State going into further similar State concerns. When we added to the above the sinking fund, accumulated surpluses or reserve fund, and the amount invested in public buildings, the national debt was reduced to below the amount of the war debt, and the opponents of the Government never criticised the war debt. It wias easy and somntimee popular to criticise, but much harder to suggest a sound remedv or a better method. —(Applause.) The Government v-as investigating the best system for establishing, FARMERS’ LAND BANKS. For this purpose, a delegation had been sent, abroad to study the different land banking systems of, other, countries of the world. Here, again, the Opposition criticised the Government for being -a Government of commissions, but surely it was desirable and generally more profitable to investigate before investing. ■ When the delegatibn returned it would be its duty to report and recommend, and, if elected, he would have much pleasure and interest in assisting, in the formation of a farmers’ land banking system. It might, and-most likely would, take the form of extending the opera Hons of our own State advances system. This ho believed could be extended so that monov that was at present deposited elsewhere could be deposited with tbe Plate, and used beneficially by the department. He considered the present mortgage system on land very expensive and unsatisfactory, and long-dated loans with a_ sinking fund attached would serve the farming community very beneficially.—(Applause.) The Government must continue a PROGRESSIVE GAUNTRY DEVELOPMENT scheme. New Zealand’s great wealth name from the laud, and what New Zealand needed was a largo rural population. The Opposition criticised tho Government for continuing a poliev of driving people to the towns, but this the Government did not do. A large percentage of the city population was composed of retired country people, and what’ could he a better compliment to the Government than that, after many years of hard toil in the country, farmers should be able to retire to enjov rhelr old am in the towns? Altho-gh numbered with the town population, their interests, sympathy, anil investments were all in the 'cnuntvv-. One of the greatest settlement schemes of late years, although much criticism had been levelled at it, was the

SOLHTER' 5 ’ SETTLEMENT 8 THEME, and we must always remember that the money that bought the land for the soldiers was not borrowed money. It was money that was taken from the taxpayers who remained at home during the war, and was saved from year to year. These surpluses had ' amounted to the large sum of £28,000,000. In business, this money would be called undivided profits or reserve fund, and it was from this fund that the money was provided to buy the soldiers’ settlements. If there was a loss, it was a loss of profits only, and not a loss of borrowed money, for which the taxpayers had to find interest. There was perhaps never a settlement scheme in New Zealand that settled so many of the right tync of young men on the land in so short a time, and most of those were, now successfully established. There were a few failures, but that was only natural in so largo a scheme. Since 1918. there had been 12,000 sections taken up, totalling 4,000,000 acres. The opponents of the Government said that aggregation was going on. The opposite was the fact. Although there may be aggregation in some instances, it, was absolutely justified—for example, some settlements on poor land were in the past cut up into too small areas, and it was impossible for the settleis to make a living. Some of these had to combine the holdings to make them suitable for settlement, but this was not aggregation.—(Applause.) Regarding it would bo the Government’s policy to endeavour to distribute the load of taxation as equitably as possible, generally following the principle that luxation should fall most heavily on those be-t able to bear it 'that had been, and was and would continue to be, the. Government’s policy, though, in following that lino, care had to be taken not lo discourage thrift and industry. Generally speaking, there were three methods of direct taxation .that indicated the amount paid to the State by the wealthy in the community. These three were land tax, income tax, and death duties. In 1912, when the Liberals were in power, the amount collected from those thr<a> sources amounted to £1,457,136: in 1925 the amount was £6,168,450. These figures indicated that the present Government was placing the burden very heavily on the wealthy section of the community. Wealthy people knew that it hardly paid to be wealthy in New Zealand, and it certainly did not pay to die wealthy. The Opposition stated that the Government was

relieving the wealthy at the .expense _of .the worker. That was not so —the opposite was the case. The opponents of the Government also said the poorer classes were taxed through the Customs; that also was contrary to fact. tVhat were taxed heavily through the Customs were foreign motor cars, expensive wearing material, and luxuries. The necessities of life were practically all admitted free, except a few, .such as boots, for the purpose of protecting our local industries. What Ihe large amount of revenue collected . through the Customs did indicate was that Now Zealand was wonderfully prosperous and able to buyvery extensively those items that were not generally classed as necessities. There was one section of the community that needed relief, and that was the working man with a largo family. lie, to-day, if on the basic: wage, was finding it difficult to make both ends meet, and this man was a very desirable person in the community. The Government would endeavour to relieve or assist him if at all possible without injustice to anv other section. Hie Government must continue to stand for the UNITY OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. We must remember the home from which we came and the great blessings and privileges that we enjoyed through being part of the British Empire. Britain was at present having a very hard time, and the present shipping strike which was affecting New Zealand was aiming a deadly blow at one of Britain's greatest industries —her shipping trade. We must continue to assist her by giving Empire preference as much as possible. Britain was the best market we had for our produce. He often wondered how she continued to pay such high prices for that produce. Now Zealand was- doing, and must continue to do, her share in that direction. Britain was over-populated at present, and we must continue a progressive immigration policy, that could noth relieve her and assist us. We must, sacredly guard the heritage that we enjoyed to-day and keep Now Zealandi f re from racial problems, such ns existed in America at the present time. Naturally, in a big immigration scheme, a few would obtain entrance to the country whom we would be l>etter without, hut the Government must take all care in the selection of those who wished to come. The Government would continue and extend its policy of

ASSISTING THE WORKERS of the Dominion. Tho Government stood, not for any particular section of the community, blit to sec that each section received its just dues. The Government had made it possible for the working man to obtain 95 per cent, of the necessary capital to build or biiy his own home. That was very desirable, as nothing could give more satisfaction and contentment than that each person should own his own homo Tho Government would stand for the highest possible wage for those engaged in the services of the industries of the Dominion. As instancing its sympathy..with those who had lost tho necessary means of obtaining a livelihood, the present Widow’s Pension showed the Government’s humanitarian principles. When the Liberals were in power, a widr/v with one child received a pension of £l2 per annum, with £6 for each additional child. Now she received £52 per annum, with £26 for each additional child. Even adding the increased cost of living to these figures, tho benefit was very largely in favour of the present Government, and in other ways the Government had extended and liberalised the benefits for the workers.—(Applause.) The Government would continue to assist LOCAL INDUSTRIES AND TO SUPPRESS TRUSTS.

In his judgment, no Government had ever dealt so effectively with trusts as the present one had done. Legislation had been enacted and boards appointed for the purpose of controlling the operations of trusts and speculators in the Dominion, and already these enactments had proved of great value. In his opinion, trusts and combines must always be carefully watched and effectively dealt with. With reference to local industries, ho woidd support reasonable protection against foreign competition for* the purpose of protecting and developing our industries. In this connection, ho would support fairly drastic measures to assist the

LOCAL TIMBER INDUSTRY. He instanced what he had tried to do during his term in the House to obtain greater protection against imported timber, but nothing could be done owing to the lack of support he had received from other Earties in the House Now, however, he elieved he would be able to make out a case that would, demand immediate attention.—(Applause.) He would • like to speak; at length on (he operations of the

MEAT EXPORT CONTROL BOARD, but would content himself by leaving tho work of tho board to the judgment of tho electors. Ho would say, however, that the board had been of immense value, not only to the stock producers of New Zealand, but to the country generally. It had been the means of so supervising and controlling the industry that New Zealand had, since its inception, enjoyed tho highest steady level of prices that had ever been known in the meat trade. If asked how much value in money the board had been to the Dominion, he would estimate it as between £1,000,000 and £2,000,000. Tho present Government had done GOOD WORK FOR THE FARMERS. It had framed legislation that had enabled the farmers to control their own industries. It had abolished the farmers’ income tax. It was not tho amount of income tax that, ordinary farmers had to pay that concerned him most —it was the worry and cost of making up tho returns, and it was also impassible to arrive at accuracy. This, together with the expenditure involved m collecting the tax, made it wise to abolish it. The Government opponents stated that the Government, relieved the wealthy landowner in this way, but one had to remember that the Liberals .never had an income tax on the farmer. To-day, they condemned the Government for taking away what, they never had on in their day. Further, the land tax on the large estates was nearly double to-day what it was in their dav. being so excessive that it was having the effect of making it very expensive to hold large areas, while, if the farmer had a Crown lease, which did not pay land tax, he still had to make up an income tax return, and pay income tax. The Government had also relieved from land tax tho small farmer who had a large mortgage; to-day the small farmer with a mortg’age naid neither land nor income tax. This showed that, thev had placed a very heavy tax on the large land-owner and totally exempted the small, struggling farmer. The extension of rural telephones and daily mails round the country was a "reat blessing to country life, and the speaker instanced a case showing tho great extension of countrv facilities during the last, few years. This also must, be continued. The Government should receive credit for the purchase of Naum Island phosnhate, under which nurohase fhbv delivered raw phosphate to the ports of New Zealand at, the lowest wholesale prices. The farmer to-clnv needed a large supply of phosnhatic manure at as low a price ns possible. Towards alt things pertaining to legislation, he would admit

A REASONABLE ATTITUDE. He believed that each part of the community had a perfect right to endeavour to bel ter its own particular : section, but not at too great a cost to the rest of the community. He believed in a reasonable, altitude between personal liberty and State interference: each person, as far ae possible, must be allowed to live his life ift his own particular way, but the State must exorcise a controlling influence in the interests of all. Ho believed that each person, while looking after his own intercste, had also a social duty to perform. The unfortunate in lift- should receive tho sympathetic consideration of those who had been successful. The State must hold an equal bnlanoe between the employer and the employe?. Each had a right to expect from the other, and each had o duty to perform towards the other. The country must continue to progress, but it must progress along sound lines. We must keep abreast of the times. The individual must alwavs he taught that he had a responsibility and duty to himself, to bis family, and to the State. Slate assistance must also he given whore necessary, but too many people were apt to blame the Stale for troubles that were of their own making.— (Applause.) THE ELECTORS? CHOICE.

He concluded by stating that the electors had a good Held to choose from in Wallace. Every shade of political thought was represented by the candidates, each claiming his particular right to the confidence of the electors. Ho thought that lie had a reasonable claim to their support on personal ns well as on political grounds.—(Applause.) He realised that, the Government; of the country was a huge business, embracing many intricate and difficult problems. Ho was imbued with a deep sense of the responsibility of representing the electors in the Parliament of New Zealand, as tho work of, tho legislature affected the personal, social, and national welfare of the community. Parliament was what the electors made it. The position was too important for the electors to allow small issues to influence their votes. Voting was a responsible privilege, and ho trusted that when exercising their votes they would do so with a duo sense of moral and national responsibility. If their choice fell upon him to represent Wallace bo boliwvod

he could serve them oven more efficiently than ho had during his last term. He would give of his best for the electors of Wallace, for the province of Southland, for Now Zealand as a Dominion, and for tn© British Empire.—(Applause.) On the motion of Mr D. M'Farlane, seconded by Mr W. Brown, a vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate, (Extended report by arrangement.) DOMINION’S FINANCE. REPLY TO SIR JOSEPH WARD. BORROWING POLICY DEFENDED. (Peb United Pbess Association.) ASHBURTON. October 27. Tim Hon. W. Nos wort lyy to-day made a statement in reply to Sir Joseph Wards speech at Invercargill. He said: In the press reports of Sir Joseph Ward s speech the Government is practically charged with excessive borrowing since the end of 191", which marked the close of the National Ministry It has, I think, already been amply demonstrated that the Government exercised great prudence in the expenditure of loan money, but I would point out that since April 1, 1920, up to March 31. 1925, the public debt was increased by £26,600.000, an annual average of a little more than £5,000,000. It must not be overlooked that the expenditure on public works was reduced to a minimum during tile war period. Further, in making a comparison with the pre-war rate of loan expenditure it is necessary to take into consideration the fact that prices and wages have increased by at. least 50 per cent, in the interim over the period mentioned. The debt under certain headings, mostly war expenses, showed a decrease of £7,500,000. Added to the net increase this meant that approximately £34,000,000 additional moneys had boon borrowed for other accounts. Of this sum £27,000,000 was borrowed for productive purposes, including £16,500,000 for interest-earning public works, notably railways, telegraphs, and electric supply, and £7,000.000 for State advances. Further, £3,700,000 mostly expended on immigration and roads, must be regarded os indirectly productive, while the remaining £3,300,000 was spent for the most part on public buildings, including schools. It might be here mentioned that though the debt, has been increased by £26,600,000 interest and sinking fund charges met out of taxation show no increase during this period. “In regard to the important question of taxation Sir Joseph Ward is reported to have said; ‘Next toGreat Britain New Zealand is the most heavily taxed country in the world per head of population.’ Without going further afield than Australia the latest available statistics show that the amount per head for the Commonwealth works out, at £l2 6s 7d for the year ended June. 1924, compared with our rate of £l2 3s 5d for 'the last financial year. I would like to analyse the £l2 3s Sd per head for this Dominion, and see where it all goes to. First, 5s 6d represents tyre tax and motor registration foes, which go tp the maintenance of the main highways and is not available for general purposes. Secondly, the war debt and war pensions absorb £4 4s 3d, leaving £7 13s 8d for other purposes, compared with £5 2s 9d in' 1914. If a deduction is made to counteract the fall in the value of money over the war period it will be found that the direct burden on the taxpayer, apart from the war costs, has not relatively increased. “The speech under review made particular reference to customs revenue and to big increases under that heading since 1920. The increased revenue, however, is almost solelv duo to increased imports. Broadly speaking, customs duties for revenue purposes are levied on luxuries only, and half the revenue for 1924 was derived from the importation of jewellery and fancy goods, spirits and alcoholic liquors, tobacco, motor vehicles, and tyres. Apart from luxuries the customs duties are levied almost solely for the protection of our own industries, and here it might b© added that the suggestions made by Sir Joseph Ward_ for adjusting the rates are more or less truisms, in that he has practically enumerated the guiding principles underlying the present tariff. “Sir Joseph Ward refers to the increase of £8,000,000 in expenditure. After the war charges have, bepn deducted, about £1.000.060 of this will lie found under the heading of Special Acts, and is due to the increase in pensions, apart from war pensions, amounting to about £600,000, and to increases in hospital subsidies and such liko charges. This leaves £7,000,000 increase in the annual appropriations, but this in no wav represents the relative increase in the burden of the taxpayers. The annual’ appropriations include the working expenses of'tho railways and the post and telegraph, whoso increased expenses are covered by increased receipts,- and impose nothing on the taxpayer. A total, of £520.000 of the increase is purely nominal, being, due to the change in the accounting system. Finally, it ie necessary to_ make'allowances for the world-wide fall in the value of money. When these allowances have been made’it will be found that the comparative result obtained works out per fiend of the mean population as follows: —1914-15. £* 5s 6d ■ 1924-25. £3 0s 9d Those figures afford further proof that there nas boon no administrative extmva rr neee in expenditure during tlie last decade.”

“ WEIftHFH IN THE BALANCE.” bombshell for nationalists. (From Our Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, October 26. The political contest for the Oamaru seat has taken a rather sensational turn. The North Otago Times has been severely criticism" the Nationalists and the .public actions of Mr. >T. A. Macpherson the National candidate. This criticism appears to have created a mild panic among the Nationalists, am] the Oamaru Mail on Saturday published a letter in which extracts were made from a pamphlet printed three years ago entitled “Weighed in the Balance,” which was an impeachment of Reform ’ This pamphlet was written bv Mr A . H. ' Vile, editor of the North Otago Times during the short period he was oragniser for the Liberal-Labour Party The publication of extracts has afforded opportunity for Mr Vile to make rather sensational disclosures. . In the course of an open letter which is published in the North Otago Times Mr Vile says: “A little more than thro© years ago the loader of the Libera!-Labour Party induced mi to become organiser for the party for the Dominion. One df the first things he suggested I should do was to issue propaganda. I submitted to the executive of the party a typewritten copy of a pamphlpt entitled ‘Weighed in the Balance.’ The pamphlet was approved by Mr Wilford in writing, and I was instructed to proceed with its printing. Mr Veitch, the member for Wanganui, who was on© of the executive, led me to understand that the executive as a whole was delighted with the production. An order was placed with Messrs J! L. Young (Ltd.), of Palmerston North, for the printing of 1000 copies to start with, and the cost was charged up to the account of the Liberal-Labour Party. A few advance copies were sent out to members of the House, and Mr Wilford secured a number. A day or two later a member of the House (now a Minister of tho Crown) challenged the Liberal-Labour Party with the responsibility for the pamphlet and its contents. To ray amazement tho Leader of tic Opposition, from his place in the House, repudiated the document, alleging that it was published without his knowledge or authority. Other members of tho executive appear to have acquiesced in the repudiation, for they made no demur. At tho time of tho repudiation Mr Wilford sent me a very lengthy wire stating that he had been compelled to pursue tho extraordinary course he did because certain references in tho pamphlet to the wheat subsidy might jeopardise tho seat of Mr George Witty. I thereupon wired my resignation ns organiser and refused to he further identified with a political organisation, the loaders of which could lie capable of such things. Could nnv self-respecting poison have a course other than that taken by myself? “But this is not all. In spite of the fact that the pamphlet was repudiated by the Opposition, tho Leader had the hardihood to distribute copies of it among his candidates and certain candidates approached me and offered to pay mo for supplies. T refused to allow it to go into circulation, however, and had VOo or SCO copies of it destroyed. I regret exceedingly that I should he corn polled in my own defence to make these disclosures, the more so as Mr Wilford, (lie erstwhile loader of the Tarty, is at present out of the Dominion. I hold Messrs Forbes and Veitch, wdio were members of the executive, equally responsible with Mr AVilford for the repudiation of tho pamphlet, and for I lie authority for its publication. I have hitherto remained silent concerning the unsavoury transaction out of consideration for the feelings of those candidates

and other friends of mine who honestly thought the Liberal-Labour Party was lei by men whose word was their bond, but when the contents of a pamphlet that has never been in general circulation and which has been withdrawn by myself, are being employed for the purpose of casting doubts upon the bona fides of my position as a journalistic critic, I have no option but to expose the whole shameless proceedings, and I shall forfeit £SO to the Oamaru Hospital if it can he shown that the statements I have made arc contrary to fact.”

UNAUTHORISED PROPAGANDA. STATEMENT BY MR FORBES. The above telegram was brought under the notice of Mr Forbes and Mr Sidey, who were members of the executive of the Liberal-Labour Party at the time Mr Vile occupied the position of organiser. Mr Forbes, whose remarks were endorsed by Mr Sidey, said: “The pamphlet to which Mr Vile refers was never submitted to the executive of the Liberal-Labour Party, and the cost of printing it was not charged up to the account of that party so fur as I know. Mr Vile had no authority to issue propaganda without the authority of the executive. After I had perused the pamphlet I immediately went to Mr Wilforrt and informed him that it had been issued without authority, and that l t objected to its contents. I think the pamphlet bore a stamp with the words ‘With the compliments of A. H. Vile, organiser for the Liberal-Labour Party.' Mr Wilford stated that the pamphlet had been issued without authority, and that, he had wired to Hr Vile to the effect that anything connecting the pamphlet officially with the party must be cut out. So far as I understood the position Mr Vile Issued the pamphlet entirely on his own initiative, and without any reference to the party. I think it is most unfair that during Mr Wilford’s absence from Now Zealand the imputation should be made that he did something behind the backs of the other members of the executive.”

CRITICS CRUSHED. RAILWAY FINANCE. PRIME MINISTER AND OPPONENT. (Fbou Ode Sproiai. Correspondent, f HAWBRA, October 27. The Prime Minister gave a rather crushing answer in some of his Taranaki speeches to criticism which has been levelled at the Railway Department. One of the critics, he said, had asked how the Railway Department could pay when it gave a return of 3.81 per cent, and the money borrowed for construction works cost approximately 5 per cent. The cost of tho money borrowed for railway development was slightly over 4 per cent, over the whole period. The policy of the Government up to last year had been to earn 5| per cent. For the future it would be per cent. Now, he asked, why didn’t the railways pay last year? That was the point, and there were several obvious reasons why, and they were such that in similar circumstances no private concern could pay. First of all, there was a difference between the men and the Minister. That strike cost the department £159,000 in earnings, and the infantile paralysis epidemic cost the department £IOO,OOO. For tho first time the Railway Department was charged with its contribution to the superannuation fund, a matter of £BO,OOO. These three sums totalled £330,000. The deficit was £90,000, and had the department not suffered these losses it would have shown a profit of £240,090 over ordinary interest charges.—(Applause.)

MR COATES AT STRATFORD. ANOTHER ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. (Peb United Press Association.l STRATFORD, October 27. The visit of Mr Coates to-night was made the occasion of a big Reform rally. The Town Hall was unable to hold the audience, and the stage and all available accommodation was filled to overflowing. Mr G. Walter, the Reform candidate for Stratford, made his first appearance in Stratford in his campaign of the electorate, and spoke for an, hour before the Prime Minister’s arrival. He pledged himself to vote on a no-confidence motion with the Reform Party, and give hearty support generally to Mr Coates’s policy. The Prime Minister, on his arrival at the hall, had a rousing reception, and delivered an address lasting two hours on tho lines of his previous addresses throughout the country. He had an attentive hearing, and there was much enthusiasm. At the conclusion of the meeting a resolution conveying a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Coates, for his address, and expressing confidence in him as Prime Minister, and in'The policy and administration of the present Government was carried unani(and with enthusiasm. Tlie meeting closed with cheers for Mr Coates ami Mr Walter.

ELECTION TACTICS. PROTEST BY LABOUR MEMBERS. (Pee United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 27. Mr Bartram (Labour candidate for Grey Lynn) stated at a meeting last night that a lady canvasser who said she was working for his opponent. Miss Melville, called on his* daughter and repeated an untrue story lhat he had been intoxicated on several occasions. A similar report had been made in the electorate. It was alleged that he had been seen, drunk at Parliament, also on one occasion at Point Chevalier. He strongly condemned such tactics. Mr J. W. Lee, Labour candidate for Auckland East, speaking at the same meeting, said a similar untrue report had been circulated about himself. He asked anyone who heard slanders of this kind to forward the names of the persons uttering them, and the Labour Party would see that such persons were given the opportunity of repeating them before a magistrate. MR STATHAM AT CAVEESHAM. A large and attentive meeting was addressed by Mr C. E. Statham at the Methodist Church Hall, Caversham, last night, about 250 electors being present. Mr R. H. Todd occupied the chair. Mr Statham spoke on similar lines to that of his opening address, and dealt largely with the position of Speaker which lie had occupied during the last Parliament. He stoutly contended that his constituency had not suffered as the result of his having been elected Speaker. In reply to questions he said he would go into the question of whether South African war veterans were entitled to the same pensions as Maori War veterans. In this connection it hurl to be remembered that before a Maori War veteran was eligible for a, pension it had to be shown that he had been under the fire of tho enemy. Mr F. Jones said that according to Mr T. M. Wilford the Reform Party was 38 strong at the opening if the first session of the Parliament which had just concluded, against its pppenents’ 42. Mr Statham’s vote, he said, increased tho Government’s vote by one and diminished its opponents’ numerical strength by the san»e number. Mr Statham replied that if Mr Wilford made that statement lie was wrong. The figures were 41 for tho 'Government and 38 for the parties. lie had said again and again that ho would vote for tho Government if he thought it was right, and he would vote against it if he considered it was wrong. On the motion ot Mr D. S. M'Pherson, seconded by Mr J. F. Brown Mr Statham was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his able address.

DUNKDIN WEST. The Horn W. Downie Stewart addressed a largely-attended meeting of the electors of Dunedin West at the Presbvterian Sunday School Hall, Kaikorai, last evening. Mr It! S. Brown occupied the chair, and, in introducing the candidate, said the electorate was fortunate in having offered it the services of a man of such outstanding qualifications as those possessed by Mr Stewart. Mr Stewart in his remarks, traversed at length the allegations of the Labour Party, and deprecated the attempts made to intensify class conflict, from which only harm could result. Present day society was so interwoven that all must combine and work 'for the good of all and for the well-being of the country. The Reform Government, he contended, had the interests of the whole country in its concern during the time it had held the reins of Government. Mr Stewart dealt at length with the questions of taxation and public ownership. In respect to taxation, ho showed that, despite what had l«?en said to the contrary, the Customs taxation had not been increased, but that in the .last revision of the tariff a substantial reduction had been made on the necessaries of life, in the direction of what was known as the “free breakfast table.” In fact, the percentage of Customs now collected was set %;r than, 10 years

ago. At the conclusion of an interesting address several questions were asked and replied to, and on the motion of Mr H. R. Ives, seconded .by Mr R. T. Stewart, a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Stewart and confidence in him as the representative of Dunedin Woet was carried by acclamation. DUNEDIN NORTH. Mr H. L. Tapley addressed a meeting at Sawyers’ Bay last evening, and gave a brief outline of the various humanitarian measures passed by the Reform Government during its term of office. He dealt with the secondary industries of New Zealand, and stressed the necessity of encouraging local industries by means of a reasonable protective tariff. He referred to the housing question, and supported a Government building policy on the lines proposed by the Reform Government. At the conclusion of the meeting a motion of thanks and confidence in Mr Tapley as a suitable representative for Dunedin North was carried, with only one dissenting voice. During the afternoon Mr Tapley addressed a representative meeting of ladies at NorthEast Valley. He was accorded an attentive hearing, and at the close of the address received a hearty vote of thanks and an assurance of the support of those present on election day.

W AKA TIP U. Mr J. Ritchie (Reform. candidate for Wakatipu) has addressed very successful meetings in the southern end of the Wakatipu electorate. Ho had good meetings at Garston, Wnipounamu, Mendon, Wcndonsido. and Waikaia. The meeting at Waikaia was particularly well attendee, and he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Messrs Hamer and Christie.

THE CLUTHA ELECTORATE. Mr Edie- has had a very busy week in the Gatlins and Tahakopa districts. On Wednesday lost he had a good meeting at Tahakopa. Mr Stoddart was in the chair and introduced Mr Edie as an old friend of the district and as a man who was practical and who knew the requirements of tno district. After speaking for over an hour Mr Edie replied to a. number of questions and, on the motion of Mr C. Martin, was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. On Thursday -Mr Edie had a midday meeting at Puketiro. The local sawmill ceased operations during the time the meeting was held. Mr Nauman moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Edie, who, he said, had faithfully attended to the wants of the district, Mr Edie hold a meeting at Tawanui at 6.30 p.m. The attendance was fair, owing to the bad hour. The ladies predominant. Mr Hancock proposed a vote of thanks, stating that Mr Edie was a man of his word. The evening meeting was held at Houipapa and was well attended. Mr Burrows was in the chair. After a very attentive hearing, and after answering a number of questions. Mr Edie was. on the motion of Mr Campbell, accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. Gn Friday last Mr Edie visited the Tarara and Purakauiti districts. The afternoon meeting in “the school was very interesting, taking the form of a conversational character. On the motion of Mr Langmuir, Mr Edie was accorded a very cheerful vote of thanks. In the evening, at Ratanui, the candidate addressed- a well-attended meeting. Mr (Naigie, who was voted to the chair, complimented Mr Edie on his success during the past throe years. Mr Edie spoke for over an hour and answered a long list of questions after which a motion of thanks was carried by acclamation. On Saturday Mr Edie visited Owaica Valley. The attendance was small owing to the hour of the meeting. Mr Edie principally discussed the Dairy Control Board which seems not to have many friends in the Owaka Valiev. Mr Bdje then proceeded up to Purekiriki, where he held a meeting in the evening, so as not to clash with Mr Waite’s meeting at Tahalika. The meeting was well attended and a great deal of interest was manifested. The candidate was accorded a piost hearty and cordial vote of thanks. He was unable to begin his Tahatika meeting until 9.30 p.m, and as the hour was late he curtailed his speech, touching on only two or three of the principal points at stake during the coming election. He was again accorded a vote of thanks for his address.

A GALL FOR UNITY. MESSAGE FROM BRITISH LABOUR PARTY. LONDON, October 26. The Labour Party has sent a message to the dominions’ electors, saying; “The British Labour Party greets the Labour Parties contesting elections in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It trusts that the men and women workers by hand and brain will rally to the support of the candidates, strengthen the ranks of Labour in iho respective Parliaments, assist in the promotion of a policy of closer understanding and mutual ' helpfulness among all the Labour movements in the British Commonwealth, and help to secure peace among the nations, and to obtain social and economic justice, for the workers of the world!”—A. and N.Z. Cable.

TO-DAY’S MEETINGS. Opoho.—Mr 11. L. Tapley. North-East Harbour Hall.—Mr J. M‘C. Hickson. Oddfellows’ Hall, Albany street.—The Hon. AV. Hownie Stewart. Exhibition Buildings (noon). —Labour candidates. Ravensbourne.—Mr J. AV. Munro. Arthur Street School Hall. —Mr R. Harrison and the Rev. »T. K. Archer. High Street School Hall.—Mr J. Gilchrist. Forbury School Hall. —Mr J. R. MacManus. South Dunedin Town Hall.—Mr C. E. Stathaiu. Evausdale and VVaitati.—Mr M. Connelly. Palmerston. —Mr J. A. Macpherson. Tapanui.—Mr George Forbes. Heriot, Moa Creek, and Beaumont—Mr James Ritchie. Otanamomo. -Mr J. AV. Fenton. Ripponvale and Bannockburn. —Mr A,. Ashworth. Ida Valley, Poolburn, and Moa Creek —Mr James Horn.