MR. CLINKARD QUESTIONED.

Putaruru Press, Volume IX, Issue 417, 26 November 1931, Page 4

MR. CLINKARD QUESTIONED.

AT PUTARURU MEETING. 44 “ Voting Out Mr. Coates.” Question time at Mr. C. H. Clink-, ard’s meeting at Putaruru on Monday night, while fairly brief, was decidedly interesting. Several questioners tried by indirect methods to get the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands, who was present, to answer questions, but that gentleman adopted the customary practice, i.e., that Cabinet Ministers do not answer questions outside their own electorates. The first question put to Mr. Clinkand whether he was not the same gentleman who three years ago had said that he would vote with the Labour Party or the “ very devil himself ” to vote out Mr. Coates. Mr. Clinkard said that when he was there three years ago he was an Opposition candidate. He did say that he would vote with Labour to put out Mr. Coates, and he had done so. He would be guided by circumstances as they arose concerning further wages cuts. Answering a question about immigration and the appearance of an advertisement in a Scotch paper, Mr. Clinkard said that the only immigration that went on was the fact that families were joining 'their husbands and fathers in NeUr' 1 Zealand. As for the advertisement, that story had been blown out long ago. The answer was loudly hooted.

It would be difficult to estimate the cost of putting farmers on to the Galatea estate, but it would not be excessive. Asked if he believed in the construction of the South Island Main Trunk railway, Mr. Clinkard said that he did not believe in distinctions being made between the North and South Islands. They could come closer home and look at the Auckland railway station. A voice: And Arapuni.—Mr. Clinkard: Yes, and Arapuni. If it was not for the shortage of money the only thing to do would be to complete the railway. Mr. Clinkard defended the wheat duty. Over 6000, people were employed in the' industry. The value of wheat in a four-pound loaf was 4d. In reply to a question relative to protection of timber, Mr. Clinkard said that by his efforts the protective duly on foreign timbers was increased from 3s 6d to 10s per 100 ft. Asked if he was totally opposed to derating, Mr. Clinkard said that he was not, but the question bristled with difficulties.

Mr. Clinkard expressed himself as being strongly in favour of maintaining the educational advantages to the children.