THE ELECTION

Southland Times, Issue 20618, 17 October 1928, Page 6

THE ELECTION

United Party SIR JOSEPH WARD AT AUCKLAND INTENTIONS IF IN POWER ENORMOUS LOAN PROPOSED (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, October 16 Before a crowded audience in the Town Hall to-night the Leader of the United Party, the Rt. Hon. Sir .Joseph Ward, delivered a policy speech. The speaker received a very attentive hearing and much applause. There was a little heckling, but the audience was die tinctly friendly. Upwards of 1,000 people who failed to gain admission stood and listened to the whole of the speech, very clearly reproduced through two amplifiers, in Grey's Avenue. The Mayor. Mr G. Baildon, presided in the hall. A notable feature of the speech was Sir Josephs announcement of a proposal to borrow £60.000,000 at the rate of £6,000,000 to £8.000,000 yearly for advances to settlers and workers and a further £10.000,000 to complete the main railways by a system of large contracts which, he said, would do much to relieve unemployment. He also proposed the abolition in due course of company taxation. In acknowledgment the rousing reception accorded him. Sir Jospeh said it would make the heart of any public man beat in unison with his hopes to find his fellow-men and women extending such a cordial welcome to him. There were 66 candidates of the United Party standing at this election (applause' and the party was not the infinitesimal quantity that some of their opponents seemed to think. Taking an average of 2.800 votes per candidate, he com puted that he represented over 200,000 electors. His own position was clear. He was like even - other member of the Party, just what he was before he came under the United banner, he was a Liberal. (Loud applause). They were all standing as members of the United Party, but they had ne\er been asked to forego what they had I believed to be their principles before they came into the United Party. It was necessary for him to deal with a few figures in order to point out the position of the country at the present moment. A voice from high up outside an open window shouted : “Hey. Joey Ward, there’s a few old Diggers out here wanting to come in? (Laughter). “It would give me an immense amount of pleasure to shake them by the hand and bring them in. but unfortunately I am debarred," said Sir Joseph. Country’s Indebtedness. The extraordinary condition of things in this country was that in five years since the war we had gone into debt to the tune of £50,000.000. The domicile of this enormous sum of money was 54 per cent, in England, 14 per cent, in Australia and the balance in New Zealand. * In the last two years they had a further increase of over £13.000,000. Since 1914 their indebtedness by way of taxation had increased by £7.600.000. He would try to convey to breadwinners what they meant. Careful computation showed that every one of them had £l7 2/4 to provide in taxation last year. It was not generally known there were only 560.000 breadwinners in this country. When local body taxation was taken into consideration every breadwinner in some form or another had to pay £26 5/- a year. He wanted to tell them why he was advocating a tremendous change in this country. It was no use for his opponents to say that everything was well, it was not well. (Applause.) The surplus of £17.000,000 that he left had disappeared and the Finance Minister this vear had a surplus of only £173,000. That was an extraordinary condition of things and he was going to direct their attention to it because every material alteration required to be made. This country bad not got enough money by millions. There were men and women who really believed the banks were to blame for some of the troubles we had been going through but very careful examination showed him clearly that that was not the case. The fact was that the country wanted for its settlers, for its workers and for its trade more millions than we had ever had. If the party of which he was head was returned, he would undertake to bring into this country within twelve months £70,000,000 for the use of the people. (Loud applause.) There were people all up and down the country who wanted land but there was no provision to enable them to get it. He was not going to ask anyone in this country to bear one sixpence of taxation. The men who wanted the money in loan must pay the whole of the interest. They wanted a supply that could be lent to the man upon the land or to the worker at 4? per cent, with- one per cent, sinking fund and the security then would be the best in the world. (Applause.) In the amount of £70.000.000 he had named, he included £10.000,000 for completion without delay in three or four years at the very outside of the whole of these long uncompleted railways that were draggi’~ along at the present moment like snails. (Applause.) The taxpayer would not have to pay one penny piece for what he was urging. The Railways. As an illustration he referred to the railway connecting Taranaki with Auckland which had been in course of progress he did not know how many years. If they called for tenders for its completion in three years that would bring the whole of Taranaki one day nearer to the city of Auckland (Applause, and the railway itself carrying people and goods would pav the whole of the interest to enable that to be done. Now they were losing the interest because rhe line was going along like an old weather beaten snail. Nearly all the important railways in this country were in a similar position. The whole of‘them did not amount to more than £10,000,000 and if they were finished everyone of them would earn interest and everyone of them would open up fresh land. (Applause.) In Canada they had 69.000 miles of made railways and they never made them the way we were making ours, piecemeal borrowing a million this year, spending £50,000 on one railway and £20,000 on another. He wanted to see introduced in this country the system that had made Canada and had made the United States and had made South Africa. Why should they not do it ? As a matter of fact there were £400,000,000 of fresh money in London every year looking for investment. Was there better security in the world than men and women on their homes in New Zealand with State security behind them or the railways of New Zealand yet to be made with State security behind them? There was no better security in the world for the purpose of getting a portion of this £400,000,000. That could be done with safety and let them think what it meant in another direction. Unemployment. In a month or two there would be thousands of unemployed looking for assistance. If they had a system to enable further loans to be got for small settlement and to enable the railways to be completed there would be a number of settlers who would go there for good and never be among the unemployed again. It was not creditable to New Zealand that we should have in a young, bright, vigorous country’ like this unemployed coming and hammering at our doors :o the tune of 30,000 for 40,000 every winter. He suggested they should be put to work on the railways where they could

get work and be paid for it. Some of his opponents would say, could it be done? His answer was that when he prepared and brought in the State advances system they declared they never could get the money and if they did get it they could not lend it and if they lent it they would lose the lot. They had lent over £40,000,000 and were lending it still and the losses were infinitely small. It could be done beyond all question (Applause) without hurting the security of any man. Would it not be a work of real statesmanship for members of Parliament to put their heads together and prepare a sound financial scheme for the two great undertakings to which he had just referred ? Tourist Traffic. Last year £27,000,000 was left in Canada by tourists travelling over their railways. If he were a betting man he would wager there was not £1.000,000 left in this country in any year since we had been running the Tourist Department. Yet there was not a country in the whole world that had anything approaching what this country had to offer visitors if we only gave them the facilities to enable them to come and see us. If a few millions were left here every year it would percolate round and everyone would get a little, directly or indirectly. It almost made him ill to go back to a place where he had been ten years ago and see the sign "Stop. Look out for the engine,” and no rails within three or four miles. (Laughter). A loan of about £10,000,000 would give an increase la railway connection that would be of enormous value to every section of the community. Land Settlement. The Minister of Finance said he would not have any money for land settlement for a few years. The Minister of Lands said it was more important to look after the people who were on the land than to put fresh people upon it. He said it was their duty to do both. (Applause). This country could not afford to stop land settlement. It could not afford to allow over valuation of land which took place unhappily a few years ago to stand as a barrier against progress. This country had got to alter its system of land settlement and bring into existence smaller holdings. They did it in the United States and in other countries. The railways ought to carry all the products of the man on the small holding at a distance from the port at the same rate as the product of the man who lived only five miles away. To an interjector asking about land tenure, Sir Joseph said he had always been an optional tenure man. They should let men lease property with the right of obtaining the freehold. Did they remember the outcry against the Liberal Government which bought £13.000,000 of land and put settlers on it from end to end of the country? There was a great outcry “Give them the freehold." He had lately looked the matter up and had found that out of the £13,000,000, only £BOO,OOO worth had been converted to freehold. The great majority of them had hung on to leasehold presumably because it suited them best. Immigration. He was strongly against the importation of people into this country in winter. If they had the pluck and foresight to complete these few railways and to bring monev in to enable men to go on the land six, eight or ten years from now we would have another 300,000 or 400,000 people in the country. It did not require any great insight to realize that if they had a third more people it would greatly ease the burden. He had no sympathy whatever with those who said we should have no more people in the country. Quite the contrary, it would assist trade and ease the burden for everyone. He advocated taking stronger steps against land aggregation and criticized the Government's oppressive motor taxation. The United Party stood for the maintenance of the present system of free, secular and compulsory education. It was in favour of electoral reform, holding that in one respect at least the elector should know where he or she stood before the poll was taken. If there were three candidates the voter should have the right to vote for one and declare a second preference for another. A voice: What about a second ballot ? Sir Joseph: I had that put on the Statute Book. My opponents had it repealed and put nothing back in its {dace. They never have put anything back, if they had they would have been out to-day, and I should have been in long ago. Regarding defence, Sir Joseph said his party stood for the maintenance of adequate safeguards in co-operation with the Mother Country,, but we hope and pray, he added, that the good sense of the former fighting nations will lead them to do their utmost to stop preparing for war for all ages to come. A voice: Give us another dreadnought. Shipping Services. Sir Joseph said he was in favour of promoting a better mail and passenger services by sea including a regular service from Bluff to Melbourne. This was necessary to give New Zealand a “back-door.” At present a large number of tourists turned back before they had seen half the country. If he had his way he would immediately put an end to the system by which the Post Office collected cash on deliver].’ of parcels from overseas. It was most unfair to a resident tax-paying trader and as Postmaster-General he had always refused to allow it as being an illegitimate interference with business by the State. “I went into your park this morning,” said the speaker beginning his preoration, “and stood beside the statute of Sir George Grey, statesman, patriot and friend of the poor. I remembered how when I first entered Parliament he ticketed my seat for me and how so long as he remained we sat there together. I saw him off to England and later when I called upon him in London to resist certain claims made by merchants in respect of the Midland Railway, the old gentleman stood beside me and backed me up. I believe his prestige and his venerable appearance had much to do with the result and helped to prevent a very unfair thing being done to the country.” An Explanation. He alluded to this for two reasons, added Sir Joseph. Ordinarily, he would have delivered his first election speech this year at Invercargill in his own electorate. However he recalled that Parliament had met in Auckland in the early days and that Sir George Grey, the greatest figure in New Zealand history had lived there so he decided to speak first in Auckland. He was sure his Invercargill friends would not take umbrage though someone had tried to stir up trouble about it. The mutual goodwill between the two cities was too strong. “As you know,” he continued, “I have been in public life since 1887 and I have filled many public positions. I claim no great superiority to anyone. Politically, I claim one thing and one only that in and out of office I have tried to do my best. I have never tried to treat anyone outside Parliament unfairly in the matter of legislation or administration. Looking back over a long life of political activity, I have nothing to regret. In the House I have crossed swords with many a man. Sometimes he has knocked me down and I have lifted him out of Parliament altogether. Some say the party of which I am head is only a visionary’ party. Some say I am too. (Cries of “No.”) The Summing Up. “Well I will sum up a man who says that. If a brother politician talks of what the Almighty is doing to the brain of a fellow member by telling you that, if I lived in his electorate I would vote against him no matter what party he supported. (Applause.) This party will do its duty to the people of New Zealand. It will help the weak and it will help the strong if they should need help against stronger forces than themselves. It will do its duty to the town and country alike and will legislate for and against no man but only for common good. “If you believe we can do this,” added Sir Joseph, “do not be carried away by any nonsensical talk about old age. We are engaged upon a political contest for the

future good of this country. We do not want to go on as we are at present. The hand to mouth business is no good to anyone or to the country. If I am returned for Invercargill, as I hope, I shall be found doing my best for the people of New Zealand without considering my personal interests, and if I am returned I hope to come again to Auckland as head of the Government.” (Loud applause). Loan Schemes. Reverting for a moment to his earlier remarks on the subject of loan schemes. Sir Joseph mentioned that the proposal was to raise money in London at 44 per cent., offering the stock at 95. The High Commissioner would act as the Government’s agent and raise such sums as were needed from time to time under general authority, thus avoiding delays. Such a system was used very satisfactorily by Canada. With regard to railway works, he was of the opinion that no more short railways whatever should be authorized in New Zealand. They were being entirely superseded by motor transport. The following motion was proposed:— Whereas this representative assembly of Auckland citizens has listened with pleasure to the exposition by Sir Joseph Ward, of the United Party’s policy, it is hereby resolved that the speaker be cordially thanked for his statesmanlike address and that he be assured of their confidence in him as leader of the party. Further, that this meeting pledges its support to every effort for the return of his Party to supreme political power in New Zealand. The motion was carried with great enthusiasm only a few of the audience voting “no.” Three cheers were given for Sir Joseph and a number of people joined in the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” “I shall always remember with pleasure my return to the Auckland Town Hall,” said Sir Joseph, in briefly returning thanks. WALLACE ELECTORATE. Mr W. E. Taylor, the United Party candidate for Wallace, addressed a largely attended meeting at Colac Bay last Friday evening. Mr T. Williams was in the chair. After the close of his address a motion of thanks and confidence proposed by Mr R. Sullivan, seconded by Mr J. Southern was carried unanimously. At Round Hill on Saturday evening Mr Taylor addressed a further meeting of electors Mr J. CoJjling, J.P., being in the chair. At the close of the meeting a motion of confidence in Mr Taylor as capable of ably representing Wallace was carried on the motion of Mr R. Hart, seconded by Mr McLean. At Pahia on Saturday evening, although the weather was very stormy, over 40 electors were present to hear Mr Taylor. Mr T. McPherson was in the chair and a most attentive hearing was accorded the speaker. At the conclusion of his address a motion of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr J. Murphy and seconded by Mr J. Taylor, was unanimously carried. An enthusiastic meeting was held at Orepuki on Monday evening when Mr Taylor addressed a crowded hall, many electors having to stand right through the speech. Mr H. Garden was in the chair and for two and a half hours the speaker dealt eloquent!” and concisely with most of the important social and political questions of the day. The speaker was applauded right through his lengthy address and on his resuming his seat Mr Garden rose and said that Mr Taylor was to be highly congratulated on the very fair and clear manner in which he dealt with the many subjects touched upon. Mr D. McKenzie moved: “That this very’ large meeting of Orepuki and district electors thanks Mr Taylor heartily for his very able and eloquent address and pledges itself to work very hard for his return as member for Wallace.” The motion was seconded by Mr T. Suddaby and after Messrs G. Amos and E. Bone had spoken to it it was put to the large gathering and carried unanimously. MR W. J. GIRLING OPENS CAMPAIGN. (Per United Press Association.) Blenheim, October 16. Mr. W. J. Girling, the sitting member for Wairau, opened his campaign in Blenheim He staunchly defended the Government, claiming that it protected the working man and derived revenue from the big men of the community. He replied to the criticisms of the Labour Party that unemployment was due to the immigration policy, stating that the war wastage of the Dominion’s man power was 21,696 and the total number of male immigrants for the last seven years was only 21,607 which hardly balanced the wastage. He defended the Government’s group system of land settlement which he acclaimed as one of the beet pieces of legislation ever framed in the Dominion. He referred to the humanitarian legislation and increased productiveness of the Dominion under the Reform Government, and other matters. He was accorded a vote of thanks and best wishes in the campaign by a large audience. WAIMARINO SEAT. Taumarunui, October 16. Mr. F. Langstone, Labour candidate for Waimarino, addressed a- largely-attended meeting of electors last night. He dealt with the land question, banking, rural credits and unemployment, and received a vote of confidence. THE AVON SEAT. Christchurch, October 16. Mr. H. 11. Holland has withdrawn as the Reform candidate for Avon and Mr F. B. Hughes, who contested the Christchurch South seat in 1914, has accepted the Reform nomination. Mr E. H. Andrews will stand for Christchurch North.as a United Party candidate.