OAMARU ELECTORATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22738, 26 November 1935, Page 8

OAMARU ELECTORATE

DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE The Democrat candidate for Oamaru (Mr H. Gladstone Hill) addressed electors in the Opera House last night. The Mayor (Mr M. F. E. Cooney) occupied the chair. The candidate said the Democrat Party had been charged with making promises. For obvious reasons they could do nothing else, for any party seeking office was only in a position to state what it proposed to do: in other words, to make promises. Private enterprise was throttled. Every avenue available for taxation purposes was exploited, with the result that a feeling of despair had settled on the community. A drastic change had to bo made in order that individual liberty and confidence might be restored. They must remove the dread of no work, with all its attendant evils; they must remove the fear that further taxation would be imposed; they must go further, and lighten the heavy load all m«i were carrying. They must get back to fundamental principles and laws, and guarantee the sanctity of contracts, fie gave a synopsis of a constructive policy, in what he considered the order of importance:— 1. Reduction of taxation. 2. Control and cure of unemployment. 3. National health scheme and pensions. 4. Education, and with it broadcasting. 5. Mortgage legislation and with it farming generally. C. Superannuation funds restoration and salaries. 7. Highways fund. 8. National health resorts and tourist traffic. "We pledge ourselves," said Mr Hill, "if elected, to abolish the sales tax, to abolish the gold "export duty, to abolish the unemployment levy and to reduce the unemployment tax from Sd in the £ to 6d in the f, and the gradual reduction of the exchange rate to an economic level controlled by the Reserve and trading banks of the Dominion." , Mr .Hill Rave a summary of the Democrat Budget:—

I £24,055,000 The estimated subsidy to farmers had been set down at £3,750,000, and he pointed out that this figure had been prepared after careful compilation by just as competent men as there were in the country, and represented the difference between productive costs and the export value of the product of the farmer. On January 20, 1933, the New Zealand exchange rate was pegged at 25 per cent-., said the candidate. Denmark followed 10 days later, despite statements to the contrary by both Mr Forbes and Mr Coates, and within two months—i.e., by the end of March, 1933 —the price of Danisli butter fell 25s a cwt and so the New Zealand dairy farmer failed to profit by the increased exchange. There was another aspect to which he drew attention in connection with the exchange rate. A New Zealand merchant buys, goods from "A" in London costing, say, £IOOO, c.i.f.; but with exchange added the cost goes up to £1250 landed in New Zealand. The New Zealand merchant renders service to "B" in London for fIOOO and renders his> account. Instead of London remitting by draft drawn on London as was the usual custom, an arrangement had now been made with New Zealand banks, and a cheque was posted from London, but drawn on a New Zealand bank. Payment was therefore made in New Zealand currency, and while the merchant was paid hig £IOOO in full, the country had had a one-sided arrangement, and was £250 on the debit side of the transaction. It was this loss which the Government had guaranteed the Reserve Bank, and which liability was estimated to be around £5.000,000. The superannuative pensions scheme provided for an increase of 25 per eent. as compared with present payments in old age, widows', miners', blind and other pensions. To encourage thrift, they proposed to increase the allowance for property exemption. • The war pensions scheme provided for an increase of 25 per cent., together with sufficient allowances for burnt-out ex-ser-vicemen, as under the terms of the War Veterans Bill. Provision would be made for 25 per cent., and also the payment of ordinary superannuative pension, for returned soldiers at the age of 55 instead oJLOS. There was no question whatever, said Mr Hill, that the present education system, or lack of it, needed overhauling and alteration. He considered they could effect economies in connection with the superabundance of boards and yet not weaken the idea of decentralisation. The question of centralisation of control was one which must be fought in other matters of State as well as education. In such a scattered country as theirs, local interest, enthusiasm and effort must be encouraged. Authority must. go with responsibility, and that authority must be, in proportion, from the school committee up to" the central board, which would establish the policy and be virtually a clearing house for the business of education. He was a great believer in reforms in this direction. Mr Hill was given a very attentive hearing, and was accorded a vote of thanks for his address. (Extended report by arrangement.)

REVENUE. Democrat Party's estimate .. £24,055,000 • EXPENDITURE. £24,055,000 Permanent appropriations .. Annual appropriations .. Salary and superannuation Subsidies to farmers .. Estimated surplus .. £10,654,000 8,740,000 850,000 3,750,000 81.000