MR. LYSNAR’S CAMPAIGN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16868, 24 October 1925, Page 13

MR. LYSNAR’S CAMPAIGN.

MEETING AT MANGAPAPA. CANDIDATE WELL DECEIVED. A lively, but entirely good-natured meeting of electors was addressed at. Mangapapa last, evening by Mr W. 1). Lysnar, M.’P. Mr W. 8. McCliskie presided over an attendance of between 80 land .100, the large majority of whom Ikeenly supported the candidate. Dueling tile meeting there were a number ol -interjections from one or two members of the audience, but the interruptions were made in the best of good spirit, and invariably gave the speaker opportunity to score. In introducing the speaker, Mr McCliskie said he thought Mr Lysnar, would be able to give a, satisfactory account of his stewardship. Hp wanted to say publicly, what he had often said privatoly, that no man had done more for this district than had Mr Lysnar., (Applause.) He referred to a number Of instances in which Mr Lysnar had help-, ed the district, both in the town and the country. The failure of the freezing works had boon 'laid at Mr Lysnar’s door, but no thinking person wodltl «t-j tacli all the blame do him. (Hear, bear.). Whatever might be said, however, they must agree that Mr (Lysnar had the beat interests of 'the district at heart. (Applause.) Mr "Lysnar intimated that lie intended to speak more or less on the same, lines as in his address in town. He explained his political position, emphasising that he would not under any cirourn-; stances vote the Government out and let Labor in. He was independent because be thought that as such lie could best serve the interests of the Dominion and The district. Tie was: particularly anxious that Mr Coates should be given a chance to make good. Already Mr Coates had brought business methods to bear in Government departments, and under his leadership, the administration of the affairs Of The, country would be on right lines. (Applause.) The speaker referred to the shipping Strike (and the attitude of the Labor party thereto. (Dealing with' taxation, lie referred to the reductions which had been made.

A voice: On top of the wages cut. Mr Lysnar said that the reduction of taxation was 'only what was promised) following the high taxes levied during the war period. It was not by any moans made to permit of the wages cut, but had the effect of 'stimulating industry and overcoming unemployment. Heavy taxation ’hit the poor man the hardest,'and was disastrous to ihim. 1 With decreased taxation unemployment had practically ceased, and this proved the wisdom of the Government's policy. 'He was one of those who considered that the minimum wage of £3 17s 6d was too low (hear, hear), and he did not know how men in the centres, and in a town like Gisborne, managed to exist. There were lew men, however, who were living on £3 17s 6d, any good man being able to earn more. ‘1 be curse of the country was • the -agitator who went round the country advocating a go-slow policy on the fallacious principle that more men would be employed to do the same work. A voice: Not Labor agitators.

.Mr Lysnar said it was the extreme Labor agitators —men who did no actual bard work themselves—-who were the cause of trouble. In referring to pensions, Mr Lysnar said that the Government had done ail it could do, giving consideration to the linancial resources, if a pension of 10s a week was given for every child, how much would it come to?

“How mudh did they spend on the war?” interjected a lady member of the audience.

Mr Lysnar: They spent'£Bo,ooo,ooo; but that was to save the Empire, and it was well worth it. (Applause).

A voice: If they had not spent that yon would not have had a house over your head. Mr Lysnar said the difficulty with many of the schemes advocated by the Labor party was that they always forgot. to toll the electors how much they would cost the country. If the cost were counted, the schemes would be found to he quite impracticable. In referring to the Labor party, Mr Lysnar said the party did not represent the working class, but only the extremists and agitators. In dealing with the Labor party lie was not criticising the working men, 90 per cent, of whom were loyal and had no real sympathy with the party. Mr Coleman, as an individual, might he as good as any man in Clidborne, but the moment lie became absorbed in the Labor party he became no better and no worse than the other extreme, revolutionary, bloodthirsty Lnboriles. The aim of the Labor party was to hand the country over to Soviet rule. The position of the British Empire 10-day was duo to the willingness of our forefathers and 'their followers In defend themselves, their homes, their people, and their country. (Applause). Vet the Labor party wanted to do away with all proposals for defence. Then

they wanted to do away with Parliament. Mr J. H. Hall: What are they going to put in its place? Mr Lysnar: A workers’ committee. Mr Hall: Well, that’s u Parliament. (Laughter). Tlie candidate went on to quote .statements of Labor leaders connecting the same movement with Russia and the rest of the world. A voice: What about England? Mr Lysnar: I. am pleased to say that Labor at./ Home has repudiated Sovietism. A voice : So has Mr Holland. Mr Lysnar: lie has not. I wish lie had. Mr Hall: Ob, no you don’t. Mr Lysnar: Well, if lie had I would not be able to oppose him as I do. But I know whrtt I’m talking about. I have the advantage over the interjectors. I know what is to follow, and they -don’t. The speaker went on to refer to the activities in Russia, but was interrupted. A voice: Never mind about Russia. Mr (Lysnar: But 1 do mind about Russia. A voice: Russia lias nothing to do with Ibis country. Mr Lysnar: Bat The trouble is that tile Labor party are trying to make Russia have everything to do with this countiy. .1 say we don’t want flint, and we won’t have it. (Applause), A voice: Wluil about Ramsay 'MacDonald?

Mr Lysnar: Ramsay -MacDonald is sane Labor, and if lie were in Now Zealand to-day, advocating sane Labor, I would support him. Blit when we have a Labor leader who says Russia is the vanguard of the world, then 1 say we will out support -Ilium. (Applause). A voice: They put the same hogev up against the Labor party in England. Mr Lysnar: Quite rightly too. They showed the Labor party where they were making a mistake, and Labor in England to-day lias renounced Russia. The day may come in New Zealand when sane Labor will prevail, but I say That the,present leaders are disloyal and revolutionists. Continuing, Mr Lysnar referred to Mr .Howard’s statement that lie would do away with the oath of allegiance. A voice: But lie may not represent the majority of Labor. Mr Lysnar: Well, lie is one of the leaders, and that is his statement. A voice: But that does not represent the views of Labor. Do you think the majority agree with him? Mr Lysnar: Well, do you—■ The voicoo :No I don’t. (Applause). Neither do most of the Labor people. Mr Lysnar: I know they don’t. That is wliat 1 say. Ninety per cent, of the Labor people don’t agree with him, but they are dominated by the ten per cent. ; I say to yon Labor people that you should not go and blindly vote for Coleman until you have an assurance from him that he does not support the view of the other leaders. (Applause). When Mr Lysnar proceeded to refer to further activities in Russia, and referred to the statements made by Mr Holland, Mr ill all interjected that it was surprising that mone of the things mentioned appeared in any other newspapers than the New Zealand ones.

Mr Lysnar: There you are, jumping from .pillar to post. I’m referring to statements made by Mr Holland. Mr Hall : The trouble is 'that, in this country the Government bans 'the books which would enable the people to 'judge ifor 'themselves.

Mr 'Lysnar: And they are rightly banned too. (Applause). Mr Hall attempted to interpose, but received opposition from the rest of the audience, and when told ha was “a second ’Harry Holland ’ he subsided. When Mr Lysnar made further quotations from the Maoriland Worker he was again interrupted. A voice : Do you mean to say that you tower your dignity to read the Worker? Mr Lysnar: I do. f will read anything that will help me to get to the bottom of the spirit that is moving the Labor party. (Applause). A voice: Is the Worker the official organ of the Labor .party ?

Mr Lysnar: Yes it is. Mr E. A. 'Bull stated that while they might not agree with Mr Lysnar in all respects, they had to admit that he had done a great deal of good for the district. By returning him again they would he making no mistake, and would have the satisfaction of voting on the winning side. He moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Lysnar for his address. The motion was seconded by Mr Test in. and carried by acclamation.