OFF TO DAY

Southland Times, Issue 20615, 13 October 1928, Page 8

OFF TO DAY

TASMAN FLYERS START DEFINITELY ANNOUNCED EARLY MORNING DEPARTURE (Per United Press Association.) Blenheim, October 12. The Southern Cross with SquadronLeader C. E. Kingsford Smith and FlightLieutenant C. T. P. Ulm at the controls, will leave definitely at 4.45 a.m. to-morrow on the return flight across the Tasman. Mr. T. H. McWilliam (wireless operator) and Mr. H. A. Litchfield (navigator) will complete the crew. The Southern Cross has been thoroughly tested and the engines and equipment have been found to be in good working order, cupier was doing his very best ou the land and producing the utmost possible, the rent would be advanced. This was not fair and allowance should be made for top-dressing, draining and other work done. Advances to Farmers. The cry from farmers in all parts of New Zealand was for more money and mortgages were the biggest handicap. Under the State Advances system—that glorious legislation introduced by the Liberal Government —the sums borrowed were paid off as the mortgage continued over a long period. Now mortgages were mostly the loan of a certain sum for a definite short term of five or seven years and it was well known that a large number of private mortgages were for three years only. The renewal of these mortgages or the calling up of the amount and securing fresh money was an enormous expense. He was in favour of the Government borrowing a large sum of money to be applied to the State Advances or the Rural Credits to assist farmers. Although this would involve increasing the National Debt, there would be an immediate return in increased production. Mr Taylor went on to quote figures showing the amounts borrowed from the State Advances and Rural Credits during the past year and the amounts allotted to the various provinces, indicating that Southland was being unfairly treated. The figures are more easily understood in the following

He also quoted the payments on the Advances to workers system which were as follows: —Amount authorized £1,215,000; Auckland £557,000; Wellington, £510.000; Canterbury £58,000; Otago and Southland, £20,500. In the three accounts of £2,500,000 authorized, Otago and Southland had received £BO,OOO. Dealing with the Legislative Council, Mr Taylor said this should be a body representative of all classes, trades and professions. He did not favour this body having the power to veto legislation, but should be authorized to revise too hasty legislation such was often carried in the Lower House. The sawmilling industry in New Zealand was in a parlous state, said Mr Taylor, and he would favour the imposition of a reasonable tariff against imported timber of the kind that was produceci in the Dominion. The great amount of foreign importations was crippling the industry and one factor was that, freight from the United States to New Zealand was less than freight on local timber from Tuatapere to Dunedin. Making the Railways Pay. Referring to railways the candidate said he thought Mr Coates was “railway mad.” He had undoubtedly been one of the finest Ministers of Railways, but in his present position seemed to be railway mad. The construction of further lines was not sound in the face of strong motor competition and he was of the opinion that no construction should be undertaken unless on the advice of a board of railway experts. The loss on the railways last year had been £BOO,OOO, and this would increase as more lines were built. He would favour an endeavour being made to secure a return of the passenger traffic taken by motor competition by decreasing fares even by half and by giving faster passenger services and cutting out mixed trains. Rural Credits were characterized as a complete failure. Mr Taylor said only a very small sum was being utilized by farmers. He believed the commercial firms were more capable of financing the farmer than the Government. If the work was to be carried out properly, a separate department would be necessary. Dealing with racing, the candidate said he would support a reasonable Bill similar to that introduced by Sir George Hunter two years ago. He favoured the publication of dividends and permitting the wiring of money to a totalisator and would strongly oppose the licensing of bookmakers in New Zealand. Unemployment. Mr Taylor blamed the Government for the unemployment situation in New Zealand, and said this was to some extent due to the encouragement to the country during the last five years of over 45,000 immigrants. The opening up of new lands would materially assist the position, and another scheme he favoured was the provision of money for workers’ homes in rural districts instead of in the cities. In conclusion, Mr Taylor made a strong appeal on behalf of the United Party, which he declared was a disciple of the old Liberal Party of the 1891-1912 regime. He strongly favoured a scheme to unite the Liberal and Labour Parties, the latter being unable to advance as at present constituted. Mr Taylor said he had been appointed one of the “shadow” cabinet of the United Parly, and if the party was successful and he were elected he would go back as a Minister of the Crown. Mr Taylor was accorded a hearty vote of appreciation. THE MATAURA SEAT. SUGGESTION REFUTED. In an interview with a Southland Times representative at Gore on Thursday, Mr. D. McDougall said he thought it was understood that in the event of the Hon. G. J. Anderson being unopposed at the forthcoming election, no Reform candidate would be appointed to oppose Sir Joseph Ward at Invercargill. He had noticed by the Southland Times that the Reform Party had approached Mr. S. M. Macalister to contest the Invercargill seat and under these circumstances he (Mr. McDougall) would have to consider his position in regard to the Mataura seat. When Mr. McDougall’s remarks were referred to a prominent member of the Reform Party organization at Invercargill he emphatically denied that anything in the nature of an understanding as suggested by Mr. McDougall was in existence. AWARUA ELECTORATE. Last evening Mr J. R. Hamilton, M.P., addressed electors at Greenhills schoolhouse and Woodend. There were large attendances at both meetings. The candidate received an attentive hearing and in both instances was asked several questions which were satisfactorily answered. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence at each meeting.

table:— State Advances. Rural Credits. £ £ Amount authorized .. 5,000,000 750,000 Auckland 246,000 57.000 405,000 Wellington .. .. .. 160,000 Canterbury 33,000 170,000 Otago and Southland 16,000 46,000