POLITICAL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13104, 12 November 1935, Page 5

POLITICAL.

DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE.

ADDRESS IN PAHIATUA.

MR D S'. McGHIE WELL

RECEIVED

V particularly large audience listened attentively to the Democrat candidate, for the Paliiatua seat, Ml* D. S. McGhie. who opened his campaign in earnest at the Pahiatna end when he took the platform in the King’s Theatre last evening. Mr J. £>. C. Crewe occupied the chair, and as the curtain was drawn back the candidate was applauded, as he was at intervals throughout liis address.

-\lr Crewe said be had very much -pleasure m introducing the candidate who represented the Democratic Parte ■ _ The district was fortunate in having three candidates come forward because at the last general election there was no contest. Mr McGliie had been a. resident of New Zealand f,or nearly 20 years. Decently he was fanning in the Takaka district where lie was interested in public affairs being chairman of the school committee there and of the h armers’ Union. Since lie had been resident in Wellington he had been interested in business Mr McGhie was a returned soldier who was also a South African War veteran. The chairman asked that the speaker be given a patient- and attentive hearing. (Applause). Mi- McGliie said he was very pleased indeed to see such a. good audience present. It was significant that the Democratic Party's programme was gain in <V in strength every clay Since his arrival in Dannevirke he ■had travelled half through the elec-toi-ate and he was very proud to sav that at every meeting he had had representative audiences which crave him a very attentive hearing. THE REASON WHY.

He had hoped to contest the seat 111 his old district, in the Golden Bay ' r \ rea W-HV- -'lotueka electorate—when the \\ ellington Executive of the Democratic Party asked him to undertake the fight up here as there was no candidate coming out locally. S-o said tUe candidate, he changed his plans at their request. Perhaps, in coming here, his had lieen a rather courageous undertaking espeeiallv to tackle a Minister of the Crown “who had represented the constituency so long. Since he had c-ome here he had been received with open arms, had been subject to most cordial and hi/Ldly treatment. --So much so,” lie added, --that T am really beginning "t>. think th.it I belong to you.” He oaid he had his homo now in Wellington but should lie be returned as ■their representative he would immediately put his residential qualifica--1 tions here on a proper basis. He was ( here representing the Democrat Party and to put forward a new policy, a policy _ which they looked upon as or such importance as to wairant being made a national issue. He stood, actually, in the same position that the present member did 7 years ago. He was then representing the United Party, a new Party, attacking the Government of the O av and the Labour Party He won. That same man now said that the fight to-dav was between the National Pr.rtv and the Labour Party. But the fight was fast becoming a fight between the Democrat Party and the National Party and the speaker felt confident that history would repeat itself—-the new Party would win. It had been a long -time since the electors here had had the opportunity of hearing a criticism of the Government and expressing, t.lieir opinion in the ballot box. MO RE UXEMPLO YMEN T.

Referring to the question of unemployment, tile candidate said they found after the Government had been in office for four years that there were to-day 10.000 more unemployed than when it took office. He was going to be fair, ior he recognised that ill the unemployment problem the Government had a, very serious problem to face, hut lie did not think that they had handled it as well as they- ought to have done or could have done. The annual cost of the Government scheme* raised by* direct taxation -amounted to approximately £4,-500,000 per annum. In addition to this sum large amounts of money were spent by* local authorities and private charitable aid institutions in the relief of distress or in providing relief work. As nearfv all work done under such schemes might be classed ns being either unproductive or even a s definitely unnecessary, it was perfectly obvious tlfat the money so spent was practically a dead loss to the community* and would not in any way assist in the permanent, employment of these unfortunate individuals who were out of work. Mr McGhie expressed his profound sympathy with the unemployed, and' stated that on many occasions through per-s-ona-l contact with them in Wellington he felt very indignant at the treatment they had received, and was glad now to bo able to advocate better treatment for them. “DOING THEIR BEST.”

Mr McGhie said the Hoi; S G Smith, a member of the Cabinet, and Minister for Employment, in referring to the question of unemployment on June 21st last stated; ‘We are doing our la st to deal with the difficult question of relief work and sustenance. 1 cannot solve this problem,; the hoard cannot solve this problem ; the Government cannot solve this problem ; the Government cannot solve this problem.” Mr McGhie said the Government had certainly not solved the problem and were far from doing so. He noticed Mr Coates had recently brought out si. scheme of £3,000,000 for the relief

of unemployment and of carrying out certain work in the country*. But where did they get the idea from? From tin Democrat Party. Tt was one of those death-bed repentances they were lettering from the Govern-am-nt at the present time.

THERE IS A CURE. Ihe speaker said the Democrat J arty would, and could, cure unemployment. There was no cause for the unemployment, starvation, want and degradation in a country with a pop mat ion of a, million and a half winch nad a capacity for 9,000,000 inhabitants. The reason for it was a lack of vision on the part of the iulers of "tihis, comi'trv. It was a marvellous thing that the Government hacl not sent, a- Royal Commission from the Unemployment Board Home to inquire how to handle the problem. (Laughter.) Had they done so they would at least have learned the first essential—to classify the men is they came on to relief. WANT A CHANGE

kMr McGhie said he had been struck by the number of people who said they wanted a change “I honestly think you do,” he added, “and a very big change. You want men who will think for themselves, not men who have to a.sk a Board or Royal C onimission what to do and create a job at £2OOO per annum to run things for them.” (Applause.) “These are the men who are coining hack now and again asking for the support of the people. You need a change and I think you are going to have it ” (Applause.) A PAHIATUA REQUEST.

Mr McGhie made mention of the poor assistance given men desirous o* getting on the land, A member of Pahiatua’s unemployed, now c.n relief and who wanted to get hack on the land had just handed him sc me letters written to him by the Minister of Lands, the member for this district. The first letter written on Sepember loth in reply to a request from the Pahiatna resident to get back on the land enclosed a Crown Bands Guide setting out the lands available for selection. After advising which section he desired the man was next advised that the' matter was being referred to the Commissioner of Crown Bands. The Minister added that, he was afraid the area, of section chosen was not big enough for a man with a. family. On October 9th the man was advised that the section had been taken up and it was therefore not possible to consider his application further. Mr McGhie considered that when a man wanted to go on the land, suitable land should h© provided for him if he had the h< ‘art and was a man of the right stamp entitled to be given the necessary funds. The Democrat Party would help these men though they would not promise them sheep runs or dairy farms. They would provide him with a small holding and advise him as to what crops, fruits, etc., to plant. Tobacco might he grown here on such holdings, he did not know. Maize would always grew and couicl always find a market. The man, in addition, could keen a. cow or two. But in any case a man who had the enterprise to write and ask for a. chance ought to be put on liis feet. CIVIL SERVANTS’ SAB ARIES. Nlr McGhie said they all recognised that with their Civil Service New Zealand was well served and had a body of men and women who carried out their duties faithfully, loyally and well. Members of the Civil Service had not been altogether fairlv treated in the past. They had never received pay which could bo regarded as excessive; they had never reached the level of the rewards of private enterprise. They were among the first to he called upon to bear the burden of the depression. He believed, they should be among the first to be considered when the opportunity arose to restore to them the amount of the sacrifices. It was the definite undertaking of his party to restore to them at once the reductions to which they had been subject. They would restore the cuts in full—they would leave none out of that restoration. 1 liat assurance lie could emphatically give.

Ehe candidate added: ‘With regard to those in the public service who are to-day upon superannuation, and to all those now in the service " h<>. in due course will go upon superannuation, I give a, definite pledge that we will fulfil to the full the very letter of the contract that the State made with them. We have gone most carefully into this question, and we undertake that the fund shall be restored to complete financial stability. When we become the Government wo shall insist that no step be taken, and no course followed that can do anything to imperil the superannuation to which, the servants of the State are entitled.” TOO MANY BOARDS.

Mr McGhie said a tendency had grown up of sending men to Parliament v, ho were shirking their responsibilities, and in consequence there had been appointed numerous boards and commissions. Financial control had gradually slipped away from Parliament, and consequently there had been tremendous overlapping of interests and waste of money every year. The Democrat Party were of the opinion that it was time the electors made a change and sent men to Parliament who would look after their interests, who had enough business training to take the responsibility on their own shoulders and would not delegate it to boards and commissions. (Applause). Ho did not know whether his audience were aware of the extent of the board craze reached by Mr Coates. He enumerated a long list of boards and commissions at present operating in the Dominion, which, he claimed were costing the country very large sums of money yearly. He did not say that all the boards were useless, but he believed that the number could be advantageously reduced, with profit to the country. THE PARTY’S POLICY.

Mr McGhie said the Democrat Party differed from all -others in that it had a. bold and progressive policy, with no shuffling on vital issues pi the day. He enumerated the main features of the Democrat programme, as :

(1> Immediate work for the unemployed: The Democrat Party would establish a development fund with an internal loan up to £8.001).b()0 for the development of national, local and private enterprise. Part of the reduced unemployment tax would provide interest and sinking

fund on. this loan. Under the Democrat plan, in the first year at least 40,000 men would be put back into work at normal rates of pay, and better 'provision made for any balance that unemployed. (2) Standard rates of pay: The Democrat Party was absolutely opposed to carrying out public or other works at relief rates of pay. (3) Cost of living reductions: The Democrat Party, by its policy of exchange reduction, and abolition of the sales tax, would greatly reduce xhe cost of living—thus increasing the real wages of all working people. (4) Assistance to farmers: Efficient farmers in need of assistance owing to low export prices would receive a direct export subsidy. The Democrat policy of assistance was: “To every efficient farmer according to his need.”

(5) Security of contract: The Democrat Party pledged itself to restore the vital principle of security of contract, thus safeguarding m\ estments, life insurance, superannuation schemes, and releasing capital for the promotion of employment and profitable production. (6) Wages cuts restoration: The Democrat policy on the question of salary and wage cuts in the public service was absolutely definite. All cuts would be restored and this example by the State would give encouragement to private employers to act similarly.

(7) Pensions and health insurance: Definite provision was made tor increase in the pensions of widows, soldiers and aged people under the national health and superannna--tion schemes.

&tate expenditure reduction: Democrat Party would reduce public expenditure by carrying out the recommendations of the National Expenditure Commission, and by reducing exchange. These economies should total over £2,000,000. (9) Development of industrv and trade: The Democrat Party ’would pursue a policy of active development of secondary industries. This could be done without conflict with the Ottawa agreement. The Democi at policy would encourage the investment of British capital in New Zealand.

(10) Jhe only definite taxation reduction programme : Whilst all other parties were shuffling on the ques11tm taxation, the Democrat “arty definitely undertook, irrespective of the position of exchanoe • To (a.) abolish the sales tax ; (b) abolish the gold export tax; (c) abolish the annual unemployment tax of £1 ; (d) reduce income tax by 10 per cent ; (e) reduce the unemployment tax to 6d in the £ (this amount would include a health insurance and pensions contributory tax to support the Democrat health and pensions scheme). (ID Education: The Democrat 1 arty was the only party with a dehmto and constructive policy tor the improvement of education.

(12) Parliamentary reform: The Democrat Party was the only party with a policy of reforming " Parliamentary methods.

CIS) For private enterprise and against Socialism: The Democrat Party believed that recovery was possible only through the encouragement of private enterprise. The Democrat Party would check the advance of State Socialism and promote the rights of private enterprise.

(14) Democratic broadcasting service: The Democrat Party pledged itself to provide direct elected Representatives of listeners on the Broadcasting Board, and to improve the broadcasting service bv encouragement- and subsidies for ‘“B” stations. SURFEIT OF LEGISLATION. In conclusion Mr McGhie said there was one thing above all others this country was suffering from an absolute surfeit of legislation He cid not know why a little country like this should be expected to keep 80 members of Parliament turnin'* out expensive and experimental legislation every few months. And the people had to carry all the weight of it. Surely it was wiser and better to return a party which would pursue a policy of .retrenchment, economy, reduction in taxa--1'(1 ” and the productive employment oi labour once the confidence of the people was restored. If such levelheaded men were returned to office it would result in prosperity all round and greater contentment for tile people of New Zealand. (Applause). 1

Questions were invited and Mr M. Alpass said he hacl listened attentively to the speaker and he thought he had talked a lot of good, sound common sense. He proceeded to place a grievance of his own before the meeting which concerned the anomaly of the land tax and though subjected to some good-natured banter and cheers he persisted with his point until the chairman proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the candidate which was seconded by Mr 1 aget and carried by acclamation. Mr McGhie said lie had been exceedingly pleased with his reception and he had got off very lightly in the matter of questions'. He hoped to lie here again before the day of polling to address Pahiatna. On his motion a vote of thanks was accorded the chair.

(Pressure on our space prevents t lie !>a I anre of the address being published to-day and it will appear in a later issue).