GENERAL ELECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22717, 1 November 1935, Page 10

GENERAL ELECTION

OTAGO CANDIDATES BUNEDIN WEST Dr M'Millan addressed a representative gathering of ladies-in the Roslyn Presbyterian Church Hall yesterday, ■when he dealt with the humanitarian aspects of Labour's policy. He referred in detail to the question of undernourishment of New Zealand children, saying the total number of European children receiving primary school instruction in New Zealand was about 228,566. The school medical service had not the staff necessary to examine them all, but last year examined 57,154 of these children, and found that 5.64 per cent, of them were showing obvious effects of under-nourishment. If the 57,154 examined were typical of the whole, and there was no reason for believing that they were not, then the Government's own statistics would indicate that of the children receiving primary education in New Zealand today 12,859 of them were undernourished. That was taking no cognisance of the children below and above school age. Under-nourishment was alwavs more prevalent amongst the young children and those born during the depression had not yet reached school age. Previously the Government published the malnutrition figures for the different age groups, but, this being election year, it had conveniently omitted them from the department's report. The report for 1934 showed that 7.28 per cent, of the children in the primer classes were under-nourished and 4.44 of those in Standard VI. It was difficult to assess the number of children below and above school age, but a conservative estimate of those of the ages of three, four, and five would* be 60,000. Seven per cent, of 60,000 was 4200, and if the previously quoted number of 12,859 were added the total exceeded 17,000, to say nothing of Maori children and of those over primary school age. or who had left school. As the Director-general of Health said: "Though many deserve the greatest credit for their domestic management, it, must be realised that to proTide adequately for a family with the facilities available is to set an almost impossible task for many women." The meeting closed with a vote of thanks and confidence. DUNEDIN NORTH The Democrat Party's candidate for Dunedin North (Mrs R. S. Black) last night addressed an audience which filled the North-East Valley Town Hall. Mr H. J. Duncan presided. Mrs Black made an appeal to the electors to recognise the importance of women taking their full share in public life. She emphasised the fact that, while- men looked at a subject from the material standpoint, women viewed it from the human aspect, which she felt was infinitely the more important. Those two countries which had forced their women into the background —Ijaly and Germany —were both in a very unhappy state. Speaking of the Government's proposals regarding, a national health insurance scheme,: she said that it was stated by the Government that the inclusion of women was not desired. It sjemed that the Government placed women second every time. The votes of the women in this country, however, were sufficient to put any Government of office, and she hoped they would l do that on November 27. Referring to the Government's" policy of eliminating borrowing, Mrs Black said it was ridiculous to claim that they could do without borrowing. Such amenities of life as electric power and lighting were available to the people only because of borrowing. Surely now when money was so cheap was the time to borrow for expenditure on schemes that would develop the country and absorb the unemployed back into industry. The speaker also dealt with the, broadcasting position and said that the Democrat Party held the view that if the public wanteds the B class stations it should have them. The party, if elected to power, would encourage the B stations. It would go further, and would subsidise them. Mrs Black also traversed the various points of , the party's policy, and at the conclusion of her address answered a number of questions. She was accorded a vote of thanks. • CHALMERS ELECTORATE Mr A. Campbell, the Labour candidate for Chalmers, addressed a large audience at Purakanui on Wednesday evening. He dealt with the latest legislation and. matters affecting farmers. After answering questions, the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. CLUTHA ELECTORATE Mr J. A. Roy, the National Government candidate for the Clutha seat, scored a decided success in his inaugural speech at Hillend, the hall being well filled with an audience that seemed to be in hearty accord with the candidate's recital of the various measures the National Government had taken in order to cope with that most distressful period of the country's history, known as the slump of 1931. Now, the speaker said, the skies were bluer and the outlook for everybody more encouraging. Should they then discard the party that had withstood abuse and done what it considered right in favour of a party that had never in the past shown itself to be. a true friend of the working farmer. He referred to the Labour Party, and stated that any farmer who voted Labour would be voting away the country quota, and increasing the number of city seats to such an extent that the cities would then be able to dictate the national policy. That would be a grave mistake not only for the farmers but for the inhabitants of the various country towns in the electorate, who would find, themselves merged in a citv block. Mr Roy.touched on a number of other subjects and was accorded an acclaroatory vote of thanks and confidence. The candidate has had similar successful meetings at Moneymore, Wairuna, \waman<ni, Pukeawa, Otekura, Romahapa, Glenoamaru and Katea. To-morrow he will speak at Nuggets/Port Molyneux and Kaka Point. COMMUNIST CANDIDATES Mr S. Ikin is announced as a candidate for Dunedin North and Mr A. B. Powell for Dunedin South. Both will stand in the interests of the Communist Party. WOMAN TAKES THE PLATFORM FIGHTING SPEECH ON BEHALF OF HUSBAND. (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 31. An instance believed to be unprecedented in New Zealand politics marked the opening meeting of Mr George Wildish, a former -Mayor of GUborna, who is contesting the Grey Lynn seat hi the Government interests. The chair was taken by a woman, Dr E. B. Turkington, a prominent social worker, and the candidate was followed by his wife with an unexpected fighting address.

GOVERNMENT'S ACHIEVEMENT DRASTIC MEASURES ADOPTED ADDRESS BY MR HAMILTON (Per United Press Association) INVERCARGILL, October 81. " It is well to recall some of the major difficulties that faced the Coalition Government at the beginning of the present Parliament nearly four years ago," said the Postmaster-general, Mr Adam Hamilton, at Thornbury last night. " When the electors are fully seized with the magnitude of these problems they should realise the difficulty of the task before the Government. Most people are so keenly, interested in their own difficulties that they seldom realise the problems, with which public men generally have to grapple." The first great problem the Government had to face was a prospective Budget deficit in 1932 of over £8,000,000. The electors should readily realise the difficulty of bridging this gap. The second difficulty was that in one year over £6,000,000 was withdrawn from the Post Office Savings Bank, and in three years over £12,000,000. The finding of this money was a huge task, and every, depositor got his money when he wanted it.

The third problem was the huge army of unemployed, which had then mounted up to about 50,000. The fourth and greatest problem of all was the adjusting of internal costs to prices owing to .the phenomenal drop in the export prices of primary products. Unless the costs were brought down or the export prices raised our great basic industry of farming would be faced with ruin. "The adjustment of these problems called for severe and drastic measures," said Mr Hamilton, "and it will readily be admitted that the Government never shirked its responsibility in this matter. To-day the good results are evidence of the wisdom of the course adopted by the Government. "Pursuing its policy to get internal costs down to meet the lower world price levels, the Government took fairly drastic steps to-reduce New Zealand's interest bill. Even the propriety of some of the measures adopted was questioned by some of the Government's critics. To-day, however, although most of those critics' interest receipts .were reduced, their capital remained intact and was even saleable at a premium. One of the most severe consequences of the depression was the inability of debtors to meet their full obligations to creditors, or mortgagors to mortgagees. It was essential that this situation should be corrected as far as possible. The following figures showed the annual savings in New Zealand's interest bill:—

LEADER OF DEMOCRAT PARTY CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENT (Per United Press Association) ASHBURTON, October 31. Mr T. C. A. Hislop, leader of the Democrat Party, addressed a large audience last night, speaking on the lines of his previous speeches. Criticising the Government, he said the sweeping power over the farming community possessed by the Executive Commission of Agriculture was the most complete State Socialism ever adopted in any country. There were 10,000 more men on the dole now than when the Government went into office. The Government had piled up taxation, crushed confidence inf industry, and made so many experiments that the community did not know where to turn. The Democrat Party could raise £8,000,000 in the first year at a cost of £40,000, to be used to assist schemes that showed a reasonable prospect of being self-supporting when aided and protected. The exchange system was bound to defeat itself in the long run. The sum of £9,000,000 had resulted from exchange, but there was a bill of almost half that amount to be paid to get it, besides damaging the Dominions name on the London market. The Reserve and the trading banks should be given the task of bringing New Zealand sterling back to normal, and he knew they were anxious to do it. As the exchange came down, under the Democrat policy a bounty on produce would be paid, which would be at least as good as, and perhaps better than, the present exchange. Mr Hislop outlined health insurance and pensions schemes which could be carried out with reduced taxation. He stated that he would reply to-night at Christchurch to Mr Coates's criticism and figures. After allowing £200,000 for contingencies, the Coates Budget showed a small surplus of £13,500, but in the dyino- hours of the session he brought down things that would cost him £648,487, and on his own estimates his next Budget would show a deficit of £400,000. l ... . Mr Hislop received a vote of thanks. THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM LABOUR AND THE COUNTRY QUOTA. (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 31. A crowded audience greeted the Leader of the Opposition, Mr M. J. Savage, when he addressed the electors of Auckland West to-night prior to his tour of the Dominion. . Replying to a statement made by bir Alfred Ransom at Dannevirke to the effect that the abolition of the country quota was a hidden part of Labours policy Mr Savage stated that although the principle of a country quota was wrong the Labour Party had not the slightest intention of altering the electoral system during the life of the first Labour Government. Labour had to gain the Treasury benches with the electoral law as it was, Mr Savage said, and its first period of office would be fully occupied in cleaning up the mess left by its predecessors and in implementing i.s own social and economic policy for the restoration of prosperity to the Dominion. If the Labour Party ocupiecl its time in tinkering with the electoral laws instead of going to the assistance of those who were in difficulties it would deserve to be cast out for all time. Ihe story of the life of the present Government revealed a policy of maladministration and economic madness on the part of Ministers which should be brought to an end as speedily as possible. Labour would not follow the bad example set by the Coalition Government when it extended its own life and the life of Parliament without the consent of the people. A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Savage and the Labour Party was carried. INDEPENDENT FOR EDEN Mr C. W. Pickering will contest the Eden scat as an Independent Liberal. Mr Pickering was born on the West Coast of the South Island and was educated at Wellington College. At the outbreak of the Great War he was estate manager of a colonisation scheme in Central Brazil and he went to England and joined the Liverpool Scottish Regiment. He was one of the foundation members of the Douglas Social Credit movement in Auckland.

MANAWATU ELECTORATE MR HORNBLOW ASKED TO WITHDRAW. (Per United Press Association) FOXTON, October 31. A deputatioon representing the Nationalist Party in the northern portion of the Manawatu electorate waited upon Mr J. K. Hornblow yesterday with the request that he withdraw in favour of the sitting member. Eulogistic references were made to Mr Hornblow's public services in the past. Mr Hornblow said he would submit the request to his supporters and would reply at an early date. Mr J. Linklater (Nationalist) is the sitting member and Mr Hornblow's candidature is also in the Nationalist interests. THE ROTORUA CONTROVERSY MR DAVY DISCLAIMS PERSONALITIES. (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 31. Commenting on the remarks made by Mr Doidge at Rotorua, Mr Davy said that he was at present engaged in a fight that should be placed far above personal considerations, a national fight which concerned the lives, the wellbeing, and the happiness of the people of New Zealand. "Until the fight is over," said Mr Davy, " I subordinate the personal issue entirely. At a later date those interested in ' me personally will find that I am perfectly capable of looking after myself and my own affairs." ISSUE OF THE WRITS NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON NOVEMBER 12. (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 31. The Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, announced to-day that the writs for the election will be issued on November 4, and nominations will close on November 12. The rolls will close on November 4 at G p.m. Election day is fixed for November 27, and the writs are returnable on December 14. Maori nominations day is November 12, and election day November 26. EGMONT SEAT LABOUR CANDIDATE SELECTED. (Per United Press Association) ELTHAM, October 31. James Ross, of Mount Eden, Auckland, was to-day selected to contest the Egmont seat as the official Labour candidate in opposition to the sitting member, Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Independent). There is little prospect of any other candidates being selected. i MR ATMORE'S CAMPAIGN " OLD LIBERAL PRINCIPLES." (Per United Press Association) NELSON, October 31. Mr H. Atniore, M.P., opened his campaign before a crowded meeting in the Theatre Royal la'st evening, many being unable to gain admission. He defended his political attitude as an Independent Liberal-Labour candidate, applying the old Liberal principles to present-day conditions. His principal plank was monetary reform in the direction of making the purchasing power in any one year equal to the total value of the goods on the market, so that real wealth in goods, and services should be adequately and accurately reflected in purchasing power, and thus fulfil the' purpose of production—namely, consumption. He strongly condemned the Coalition Government's policy, and read a letter from Lord Bledisloe in justification of a quotation used by him. A unanimous vote of thanks and continued confidence was passed with cheers. SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT THE DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE (Per United Press Association* BLENHEIM, October 31. Mr Tuiti Makitanara, of Wairau pa, has been selected as the official Democrat candidate for the Southern Maori seat. Mr Makitanara, who is 35 years of age, is the son of the late Mr Tuiti Makitanara, who filled the seat until his death two years ago. CHRISTCHURCH EAST SEAT NATIONAL CANDIDATE SELECTED. (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, October 3L Mr S. W. Richardson, a son of Air E. Richardson, Minister of Public Works from 1871 to 1887, has been selected as the National Government candidate for Christchurch East. PARNELL ELECTORATE (Per United Press As<"< iaiio.v AUCKLAND, October 31. Mr W. P. Endean, M.P. for Parnell, opened his campaign for the National Government Party at Remuera to-night. Some heckling came from a minority but a vote of confidence was carried. The candidate defended the policy of the Government and particularly the high exchange rate which, he said, was not a breach of the Ottawa agreement. It had actually been laid down at Ottawa that the countries there concerned were at liberty to manipulate the exchange. Mr Endean concluded his address with the statement that Mr Forbes and Mr Coates would be remembered as men who were good and faithful servants of their country when the history was eventually written. THE WAIRARAPA DISTRICT (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 31. The official Democrat candidate for the Waitemata seat, Mr Alan Donald, opened his campaign to-night. A vote of confidence in the candidate was carried by over 200 electors present. Mr Donald said the Government's policy was unsound and would retard recovery if continued. The Labour Party's programme was not practical and the Democrats' proposals offered the only solution of the problem of national rehabilitation. The candidate criticised the effect of the Government legislation and the reliance placed on university professors. He also criticised the Government's action in refusing to broadcast speeches without reference to Mr Hislop. In conclusion he declared that the Nationalists' use of MiBaldwin's portrait in their advertisements was an act of impertinence. TO-DAY'S MEETINGS Mr A. Campbell (Chalmers).—Warrington, at 7 p.m.: Scacliff. at 8.15 p.m. Mr R. Fraser (Chalmers). —Allanton. at 8 p.m. Mr A. E. Ansell. (Chalmers).—Purakanui. nt 8 p.m. Mr W. A. M'Naugbt (Central Otago). —Gibbston. at 1 p.m.; Queenstown, at 8 p.m. Mr H. K. Edie (Central Otago).— Cardrona, at 6.30 p.m.; Pembroke, at 8.30 p.m.

National debt (internal) National debt (London) Public bodies Mortgage debt .. .. Bank overdrafts .'., •• .. 1,000,000 300,000 500,000 .. 3,000,000 .. 1,000,000 .. £5,800,000