POLITICAL ADDRESSES

Otago Witness, Issue 3522, 13 September 1921, Page 25

POLITICAL ADDRESSES

Air A. S. Alalcolm, ALP., is at present delivering pre-sessional addresses at the principal centres of 'he Clutha electorate. He spoke at Ivelso on the 6th i-nst, and on Wednesday evening had a fair audience, including a good proportion of ladies, at Tapanui. Air Al. Robertson occupied the chair at the latter meeting. Air Malcolm dealt at considerable length with the question of the present depression, and while he did not consider it would affect the country to anything like the extent in the Old Country, he thought three years would elapse before there was much improvement. He strongly advocated State retrenchment, commencing with a reduction of members’ honoraria, not that such a reduction would amount to much, but it would have a good moral effect. Half a million could be saved in one item alone — the suspension of the military system, which the speaker considered absurd in a small country like this under existing conditions. In the matter of production Mr Malcolm considered that it was not over-production that the country was suffering from at present-, but- under-consumption. The position of the import and export trade arid the unsatisfactory manner in which New Zealand wool had been dealt with were fully reviewed. Air Alalcolm also dealt with a j few local matters, including the present j railway “cut,” and promised to do all in ; his power In improve the service. He had made full inquiries, and had found the railway authorities quite sympathetic. Air Malcolm received a sympathetic hearing, and only a couple oE unimportant questions wore a-ked and answered. <hi the motion of Mr J. L). Edgar, Mr Alalcolm was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address, Mr Edgar stating that- it was always a pleasure to listen to Mr Malcolm.