GENERAL ELECTION

Southland Times, Issue 21560, 25 November 1931, Page 8

GENERAL ELECTION

AWARUA CONTEST mr Mclntyre speaks at WALLACETOWN A CO OPERATIVE POLICY Continuing his campaign ns the Independent candidate for the Awarua seat, Mr Norman Mclntyre addressed a fair gathering of electors in the Wallacetown hall last night. He discussed international, financial questions and spoke at length on the causes of the slump, also outlining his co operative policy for the restoration of the country to a state of prosperity. He was accorded a good hearing and a hearty vote of thanks was carried. Mr Black was in the chair and briefly in. ' troduccd the candidate. In his opening remarks, the candidate announced that he was an Independent candidate and said he had formulated his policv as a result of his own personal study. He was not out to deal with the needs of any one section of the community, but he had the interests of the whole community at heart. Complex and difficult problems were facing the whole world at the present time and New Zealand was by no means free of such troubles. With 50,000 of the adult population of New Zealand out of work, for any candidate for political office to dismiss the position by saying that the depression was world-wide was not sufficient. An explanation of the reasons and a scheme for meeting the position should be demanded of every candidate. It was not only necessary to review the political affairs of New Zealand, but certain events that had been happening in other lands over a very long period of years should be undertaken. The candidate said lie intended to deal wtih events that had been happening in other countries which were the root of the depression affecting not only New Zealand, Great Britain and the dominions, but the whole world He desired to trace the activities and explain some of the world-wide ramifications of a circle of financiers, who by deep laid schemes and financial ingenuity had not only got a stranglehold on the whole world, but planned to overthrow Christianity and bring about the downfall of the world. Herr Max Warburg had for many years been the head of a huge banking institution in Berlin and was actually the financial dictator of Germany. Paul Warburg, a younger brother, went to the United States of America in 1902 and had joined and secured a partnership in the banking firm of Kahn Leob and Company. He had been trained under the central banking system of Europe and had actually been responsible for the establishment of the Federal Reserve Board, the legislation for which had been put through by hoodwinking President Wilson and a majority of the Senators. War-time Activities. The Federal Reserve Board had come into existence in 1914 when preparations were being made for the Great War and Paul Warburg had been elected chairman immediately and had held the office of president ever since, this being one of the chief positions in the financial world. Another of the Warburgs was a colleague of Sir Otto Niemeyer as a director of the Bank of England and was one of the chief promoters of the Bank of International Settlements at Geneva where the heads of the banking institutions of the world were planning to enter into a co-operative system. for their own private gain. Among these were several prominent Anglicized bankers of Europe. The Russian revolution and the downfall of the Tsar had resulted in the prolongation of the war which had been desired by the circle of financiers who were at the root of the present depression. Prior to this event Britain had been financing several of the Allied countries and had herself been borrowing for her own requirements from the late Mr J. P. Morgan, of the United States. As a result of Mr Morgan’s death, the affairs of his company had come under the control of the Federal Reserve Board, of which Mr Paul Warburg was chairman. Britain’s financial resources had, therefore, been cut off. This was what the financial circle had desired. Considerable discontent had existed in Britain as a result of agitation created by Mr Lloyd George that the war was not being pushed on with as it should. Mr Asquith had been , put out of power and Mr Lloyd George had taken over the premiership. This was the first stage of Britain's enslavement to the Jewish moneylenders. Britain had overdrawn her account with Mr Morgan to the extent of 400,000,090 dollars, and unless she could meet this debt her future credit would be cut off. Lord Reading, who was otherwise known as Sir Rufus Isaacs, was sent across to the United States of America and entered into arrangements on Britain’s behalf for the borrowing of further money. He agreed, also on Britain’s behalf, that the money borrowed should be repaid in gold at call or at three days’ notice, and that the money should bear the highest interest of the war loans. At these terms, the American money-lenders couid not lend Britain too much money and by the end of the war £1,000,000,000 had been borrowed. The world’s total stock of gold at this stage was estimated at £2,000,000,000 in value, thus Britain might have been called on to repay this half of the world's total stock at three days’ notice. Britain’s representative thus signed a contract on her behalf to perform the impossible. Reversion To Gold Standard. .. Pressure had been exerted on Britain soon after to force her to revert to the gold standard and before the war was over a commission had been set up to go into the matter. It was significant that the commission was comprised solely of bankers, and producers and manufacturers who would be most affected by any change were not given an opportunity to decide the 'issue and the gold standard was to be rcimposed on the British people without notice. The Lloyd George Government was in power at this time and the financial interests of Europe had a very great deal of power with it. When the Government embarked on a policy of monetary deflation, the chairman of the Midland Bank told the people very plainly that if it was possible by this means to bring prices back to the pre-war standard it would mean that the national debt of £7,770,000,000 would be more than doubled and that the creditors would receive a huge premium at the expense of the debtors. It was pointefl out that Treasury notes had performed all the requirements of credit perfectly and that where gold had failed notes had been successful. Despite these warnings, Mr Winston Churchill, who was then Chancellor of the Exchequer, added to Britain’s difficulties by announcing in April, 1925, that the gold standard had been resumed, the Jewish financiers having conquered. The war had been engineered and fought at the instances of the financiers and no sheep had been led more readily to the slaughter than the British people had been led to the present financial crisis. Continuing, the candidate said that although the full effects of the nefarious schemes were not yet realized, already many people were tasting some of the poison in the form of depression in trade, unemployment .and the evil days ahead. * War Debts. Dealing with the question of the Allied war debts, Mr Mclntyre said it would be recalled that Mr Snowden’s disclosures on this matter had caused a distinct stir when they were divulged in the House of Commons. During the war, Britain had borrowed from the United States of America the sum of £850,000,000, the whole of which amount, and more besides, had been

lent to France and Italy. Nothing was spent in Britain at all. Now what was the position regarding those loans? inquired Mr Mclntyre. According to the agreement between Britain and America, Britain was bound, between now and 1994, to repay £2,200,000,000 to her creditor. But France, for her loan of £600,000,000 from Britain, had only to repay £800,000,0000, while the position in the case of Italy was even more liberal for although that country had been lent £560,000,000 she was being let off with the payment of only £240,000,000. Mr Mclntyre, proceeding, characterized the Federal Reserve Board as being a diabolically clever scheme —a scheme which, like all the other banking schemes "put across” the people of America, had for its object the cornering not only of money, but also of stocks and bonds. The organizers could at any time create a slump or depression and then they were in the position to buy back stocks and bonds for a fraction of the amount at which they had been sold. Every important financial step by Britain which had increased unemployment and produced depressions had had the distinctive support of Sir Otto Niemeyer. “Yet that is the man who was invited to this country in order to advise us on financial matters,” declared Mr Mclntyre. “Sir Otto is the man, mark you, who has advocated a central banking system in New Zealand. If these Jewish financiers could put it across the Americans, how do you think Messrs Forbes and Coates are going to shape in this matter?’' he asked. “They have both been Home on Imperial matters and had a good look around, yet they have both let the people of New Zealand down. It therefore remains with you people to decide whether they have blunderingly failed to appreciate the true facts or whether they have purposely kept the people in the dark. I reiterate that the whole war was fought and financed in the interests of this group of financiers. But let me tell you that there is another side to the picture and it becomes necessary to review our own political affairs. Statesmanship Required. The candidate asked the meeting to visualize the Dominion as it stood years before the existence of the Coalition Government and as it should stand to-day. There were unbounded natural assets, fertile pastoral plains, splendid climate and a host of unrivalled advantages yet what was now the position? In the land of plenty, people were well-nigh starving. “Where has there been any statesmanship?” he asked. “Where has there been any management ? The different political parties have been fighting only for the fruits of office and they have allowed the country to go to ruin. Lately the position has gone from bad to worse and today national disaster looms ahead if the Coalition Government is not displaced. The Government may plead failure because of two earthquakes and the slump, but a wise executive would have guarded against such eventualities. Had there been any statesmanship at all in the past, the earthquakes would have been disastrous so far alone as the loss of life was concerned but not from a financial viewpoint. The Coalition candidate will be along to tell you that there is danger threatening ahead if you do not return the Coalition Government. But he won't have a policy to formulate to you. He'll probably only flash his photo under your door —all the Coalition men do only that. He will forget to tell you that there was a previous Coalition Government and that it proved a failure. Here you now have two parties combined to save their seats. Those parties are bracketed together in the one owner's name and that owner’s name is ‘Vested Interests.’ The people of New Zealand desire to know what provision is going to be made to meet any future earthquake and how is the Government going to effectively deal with the present depression? And what steps are going to be embarked upon with reference to overhauling the departments of the State?” said Mr Mclntyre. The Railways. Dealing with the New Zealand railways, the candidate said they were always regarded as being in the nature of adjuncts to the country, and as a development of the Dominion’s natural resources more than as an investment pure and simple. Three per cent interest was always considered a sufficient rate for many years. In those days the Minister was head of his department and there was then an inexpensive yet efficient service. "Why should that state of affairs have been altered?” Mr McIntyre enquired. “Why was it altered? Simply because the two political parties began fighting for the fruits of office and railway commissioners, boards and managers were appointed. Mr Coates himself dispensed with the services of one railway manager earning £3900 per annum and engaged another at £3500 with superannuation to follow and a 12 months’ trip round the world. That action alone should satisfy the electors of any country. But the United Government has actually outrun the Reform Government in the race fot destruction. In Nev; Zealand, the Railways Board is dictated to by the oil trusts and the farmers are being driven from their homes in order to provide routes for motorists who, in turn, bring in profits to the oil trusts. That is the United Party for you—the party which brought forward such a wonderful railway construction policy. It is a great pity those two parties ever separated when they comprised a National Government, years ago—they would have been ‘wiped out’ long ago had they not disbanded.” Extravagant Borrowing. Everyone must agree that New Zealand had been badly hit by the depression, continued the candidate, but it was found to have been so hit even if there had been no world-wide depression on account of the borrowing policy which had been followed by the last two governments. Far too much borrowing had been done and New Zealand was now facing a serious crisis on account of the extravagances of the past. Any fool could borrow money, but before accepting a loan he should make sure that he would be able to pay it back. Borrowing within the Dominion was one thing, but borrowing from overseas was a different matter, declared the candidate. Good use could be made of money borrowed within the country and the in terest would be retained within the country. In the past there had been no limits to which a government could go in extravagances and, of course, a borrowing policy' was always popular with the people. Money hail been brought in and used to compete with local industries. People had been encouraged into temporary industries which had not proved successful in the end. Borrowing within limits was quite in order, but in New Zealand there had been no limits and in the end it had became necessary to borrow more money to meet the interest payments. Nearly every loan falling due had to be renewed at a higher rate of interest. This was more like a winding up than a tapering off policy and was more in the interest of the moneylenders than of the people. The only remedy was to send to Parliament men who would take a firm hold of the financial policy. The policy of the United Party at last election had been described as a “borrow, boom and burst” scheme, but the candidate considered that the country had been burst long ago and the electors would be given an opportunity to say whether they thought so or not on election day. A Co-operative Policy. “Nine years ago when I contested the Awarua seat I put forward a co-operative policy, and I think I am the only man who has ever advocated a truly co-operative plan,” proceeded the candidates. Mr Forbes and Mr Coates claimed that they supported a co-operative policy, but that was merely eyewash; theirs was a co-operative policy for themselves and the financial interests. By co-operative, said Mr Mclntyre, he meant the co-operatron of the State and the people; industrial and financial co-operation. Financial co-operation was the key to the salvation of the country and was the only

plank on which could be built a policy to save the country. The candidate advocated a State banking system to operate the note issue and give absolute control of the financial situation to the State. He considered that four capable men who were not shareholders should be appointed to the board of the Bank of New Zealand. There were hundreds of such men available and it was for the people to select a Government which would appoint the right men. He believed that sufficient finance should be provided within the country and a sum should be put to the credit of the State Advances Department to assist struggling farmers. This could be lent out at four per cent, interest, of which one per cent, would provide the sinking fund for repayment. This was what co-operative finance meant and w"s what the financiers were afraid of. Vested interests would try and wreck such a system and would cry out that it was Bolshevism and Socialism. This was not true as it only meant equal distribution of profits. No other country was so geographically and naturally suited for carrying out; such a policy with success. By keeping the value of exports above the cost of imports, the country could finance itself. Reductions of Mortgages. Framers were too highly mortgaged, he continued, and could only secure relief by adjustments of mortgages, interest rates and local body rates. Equality of sacrifice should be the watchword and since the depression had been manipulated all should bear a share of the losses. The value of primary products had slumped permanently 50 per cent, and land values must fall to an equal extent. Mr Mclntyre advocated a provisional moratorium guaranteeing the mortgagor against the mortgagee. Interest rates should be reduced and the people should support a Government which used a competitve method of reducing the cost of borrowed money. He also advocated the total derating of farm lands and considered that the construction and maintenance should be taken out of the petrol tax. He also supported the nationalization of the Southland electric power scheme. Mr Mclntyre then said he was in favour of commercial co-operation and urged that trading arrangements should be entered into with other countries on the basis of reciprocal trade. Britain was New Zealand’s best customer, but the Dominion did not reciprocate and large sums of money were sent to foreign countries to pay for manufactured goods which were imported. He considered that a prohibitive tariff should be imposed on American manufactures until igich time as the war debts were cancelled. A co-operative marketing scheme was also outlined by the candidate. He said he was in favour of a grouping system right throughout New Zealand to secure better returns. The exporting business should be done through the State banking system, thus effecting great savings to both State and people. He also sjwke in favour of industrial cooperation and considered that wages shotdd be on a sliding scale, rising or falling according to the fluctuation of prices. The Coal Mining Industry. Continuing, the candidate said that the coalmining industry should be carried out under a co-operative scheme and that the importation of coal to New Zealand should be absolutely prohibited. “I also believe in a State monopoly of insurances,” he declared. “Me have the recent earthquake in Hawkes Bay to remind us of the many companies which slipped out of the risks. I believe in the State monopoly so that the profits (if any) can go into the coffers of the State and not into the pockets of private individuals many of whom often live out. of the country. Again, instead of cutting the wages of the low-paid men, 1 would cut the salaries of the highly-paid men whose money is going into the banks as fixed deposits. But in so making the cut, I would consider not what I would take off a man, but; what I should leave him with. I would start at the very top first.” Mr Mclntyre said that a tremendous saving could also be effected if administration costs were cut down. “All these boards and commissions could be cut out altogether,” he said. "We are paying all our representatives in the House to do the work, but they have come into a habit of relying upon commissions to do the work for them. Not so long ago a com mission of experts was set up, at a cost of thousands of pounds, to ascertain what could be done to prevent swamp turkeys devouring oats. 'lhe commission finally came to the conclusion that the turkeys do not devour oafs.” (Laughter.) "There are many secondary industries which should be receiving attention right away,” continued the speaker. ‘We should be manufacturing our own petrol, for one instance. They have been doing that in Germany for years from brown coal. We have illimitable quantities of coal that could be used for the purpose here. Then again, if the importation of motor cars was prohibited for, say, 10 years, we would be manufacturing our own vehicles in two years’ time. There are enough cars in the country already. Furthermore, the reconditioning of used cars would provide our unemployed with work. Then take the flax-milling industry. There are hundreds of flax-bearing swamps which, with attention, would provide lhe industry with sufficient flax. I could mention dozens and dozens of secondary industries which should—and would—receive encouragement if we had in power a Government which had the interests of the country at heart. Balancing the Budget. “Now where is the difficulty in balancing the Budget?” queried Mr Mclntyre, “lhe Government’s policy means starvation —it is dictated from abroad. If we used our banking credits, adjusted mortgage and local bodies’ interest rates, and carried out the many economies I have already outlined, we could balance the Budget all right and start the country off on the road to prosperity.” In concluding, the candidate contended that his policy would balance the Budget, help local industry, provide more employment, lessen industrial discontent to relieve the present financial embarrassment and ensure that efficient economy, peace a r "' prosperity which should be aimed at at lie forthcoming election. (Applause.) The chairman having invited questions, an elector asked the candidate what party he favoured. “I am not a party man at all,” replied Mr Mclntyre. "I believe in an elective executive. I believe that when the ballot papers are counted there will be an overwhelming number of Independents returned and that wa shall have an elective executive, one that will be for the benefit of the country.” “Are you in favour of a Labour Government?” was another queslion asked. “I am afraid that won't get you any further," was the reply. “I am not in favour of any political party running the country in its own interests. I believe in an elective executive and I would aim at that.” Another elector asked the candidate what would be his attitude if he was in power during the present slump. “I would endeavour to put the policy I have outlined through the House,” said Mr Mclntyre. “Had it been carried out during the last three years you’d have found that the effects of the slump would now have been practically over.” In reply to a question as to how he would raise the price of produce sold outside the country seeing that local consumption accounted for but a mere fleabite of the total production, the candidate said that the price would not need to be raised to any great extent. The trouble was that the Government had been ruining the country for many years by sending money away.

“Do you think that prices are permanently down for produce?” was the last question. “It would appear so,” was the reply. “History repeats itself, and after the Napoleonic war, a severe slump also occurred. It takes about 50 years or thereabouts for a country to recover. I think the slump is here for the next 50 years to come, but none of us know what lies

ahead. We can only provide for the worst and hope for the best.” In acknowledging a hearty unanimous vote of thanks, moved by Mr A. McDowell and seconded by Mr G. Gray, Mr McIntyre expressed regret that, owing to the short time at his disposal, he had been unable to deal with various other aspects. INVERCARGILL SEAT MR W. McCHESNEY’S CAMPAIGN. The following report has been supplied:— Speaking at Gladstone in the Parish Hall last evening before a fair attendance of electors, Mr William McChesney, Liberal Coalition candidate for Invercargill, furthered his campaign by delivering an address along similar lines to those previously reported. Mr H. F. Drewe was in the chair. At the conclusion of his speech he was accorded, on the motion of Mr H. Cooper seconded by Mr J. R. Martin, a vote of thanks and confidence which was earned unanimously. Mr McChesney in his speech at the Civic Theatre on Monday made reference to the South Island Main Trunk line. In regard to these remarks he has asked us to state that he did not wish to convey the impression that he favoured the nationalization of shipping services between Auckland and Bluff. All he intended was that the ferry service between Picton and Wellington should be State controlled, thus making a continuous State service by rail and sea from Auckland to Bluff. MR HARGEST’S MEETING The following report has been supplied: There was an attendance of 180 in the North Invercargill Hall last evening when Mr James Hargest, the Coalition Reform candidate for Invercargill, addressed electors. Mr M. Mclntosh was in the chair and introduced the candidate. Mr Hargest dealt with the aims of the Coalition Government, with unemployment, Empire trade and other current matters. A few in the audience subjected the candidate to a cross-fire of goodnatured interjections which were often turned to good account by Mr Hargest. A number of questions were asked and satisfactorily answered at the conclusion of the address. On the motion of Mr A. Officer, seconded by Mr G. Georgeson, the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, there being only a few dissentients. Mr Hargest will address a meeting of ladies in the Victoria Hall at 2.30 p.m. to-day. MATAURA ELECTORATE MR T. GOLDEN’S CAMPAIGN. In the Tapanui Town Hall on Monday evening 70 electors attended to hear Mr Thomas Golden, the Reform Coalition candidate for the Mataura electorate, deliver his first address in that district. The Mayor (Mr J. S. Edgar) presided. Throughout his address Mr Golden was given an attentive hearing and was frequently interrupted by applause. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded him on the motion of Mr W. IL Lusk and the Rev. W. H. Norton. There was an attendance of 24 electors at 'Koi on Monday, including a sprinkling of ladies, when Mr Golden spoke. Mr W. J. McKenzie presided. The speaker was greeted with applause, and was given a most attentive hearing and was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of Mr D. McColl, seconded by Mr Macnee. At Conical Hills, Mr Carson presided over a fair attendance. A vote of thanks was carried on the motion of Mr Kerr, seconded by Mr MacMillan. Mr Golden was also given a good reception at Potnahaka ami accorded a vote of thanks. On Saturday evening Mr Golden addressed over 100 electors in the Edendale Hall. Throughout his address Mr Golden was accorded a very attentive hearing and his remarks were frequently interrupted by applause. THE PRIME MINISTER ADDRESS AT ASHBURTON. (Per United Press Association.) Ashburton, November 24. The Prime Minister addressed a crowded meeting here this afternoon. He was warmly welcomed on rising and was frequently applauded during his speech. After explaining the serious national diflicultes leading to the formation of the Coalition, Mr Forbes said that Labour failed to grasp the financial situation. To restore the salary cuts would cost three millions and with the other things Labour promised to do if returned to power would require twelve to fifteen millions. The Labour leader said they would control currency, credit and banking system, but they talked so easily about controlling the credit of the country. Credit was belief in the stability of the country. How could they control that? To propose control now was the action of a spendthrift. He had been criticized for supporting the abolition of the graduated land tax, but the present situation was extraordinary. The men hardest hit were the sheep farmers. Mr Forbes reaffirmed that men with a lot of land were the hardest hit. “Messrs Ballance and Seddon were broadminded men and in similar circumstances would have done as I did. I was told I had been false to my trust. That is my reply when people tell me what Mr Ballance and Mr Seddon would have done.” The question of unemployment was one of the most serious and he had not been able to find in any country anything to guide New Zealand. The Minister of Labour and Agriculture were occupied in providing schemes to divert the labour available on to the land to make the work productive and secure a return for the money spent. Mr Forbes said the Coalition was out to thoroughly overhaul the arbitration system, but he gave a flat denial to the statement that the Government intended to abolish the Court. The Government was out to make it more elastic and more applicable to present-day conditions. On other matters Mr Forbes spoke on the lines of his speeches at Rangiora and elsewhere. In concluding, he urged support of the official Coalition candidate, for party politics did not count in this election. The Coalition Government’s policy would be one of rehabilitation. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Coalition Government proposed and altered to confidence in the Coalition Government as at present constituted was carried in that form unanimously. IN OTHER CENTRES MR COATES’S TOUR. Wellington, November 24. After a 10 days .strenuous tour of the North Lsland, the Hon J. G. Coates left for the South Island this evening. He will speak at Christchurch to-morrow evening. He expressed himself well satisfied with the general temper ».of the country, but wished to warn the electors against the danger of the apathy opposition expressed at meetings. He believed it was generally good natured raillery rather than offensive obstruction. LABOUR’S LEADER. New Plymouth, November 24. Mr H. E- Holland, the Labour Leader, addressed a packed house, the crowd listening in by means of loud speakers in the street. Mr Holland made reference to the speech of the Hon W. Downie Stewart at Dunedin and said that in common with the utterances of Messrs Forbes and Coates, it betrayed complete bankruptcy in the matter of policy. The electors were entit » to know from every party what its ] « posals for reconstruction amounted to, but the Coalition had no policy whatever to offer. All that its three most prominent leaders could say was that they demanded

a blank cheque to be used at their own sweet will after the elections were over. It was probably the first time in the history of New Zealand that the party occupying the Treasury benches had gone to the country without; a policy of some sort on which to basejts claims for support. The people coulfl be sure of further wage reductions and additional wholesale dismissals from the Public Service, accompanied by pensions reductions and attacks on education and other social services, but they could be sure of nothing else. The recent statements made by Mr Coates showed that Mr Forbes and the United Party could not be entrusted with the powers that were now being asked for. Mr Forbes himself had amply demonstrated that it would be both foolish and dangerous to give Mr Coates and the Reform Party these powers. The Labour Party in the present contest stood alone in having a definite programme to place before the electors. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried almost unanimously. HUTT. Wellington, November 24. Mr James Kerr, the Coalition candidate for Hutt, criticized the attitude of the Labour Party. He said Mr Holland had been invited to join the Coalition but had declined. By his action he had shown the people that he would rather stick to party warfare than assist in helping the country in its time of need. WELLINGTON SUBURBS. Wellington, November 24. Mr K. McLennan, Independent candidate for Wellington Suburbs, outlining his policy, said he would support the Coalition as against the Labour Party, but would reserve the right to vote against any proposals he considered not in the best interests of the country. He advocated the establishment of State farms upon which some of the unemployed might be placed until better times returned. A vote of thanks was accorded him. MR W. APPLETON’S OFFER. Wellington, November 24. Mr W. Appleton, Coalition candidate for Wellington South, stated that he was prepared to act as a member of Parliament without drawing any honorarium. “I am prepared to serve for nothing,” he said. "Members should give up their pay and if other members will support me I will move it in the House if you will only give me your support.” (Hear, hear.) INTERRUPTIONS AT MEETINGS. Wellington, November 24. Mr Walter Nash, Labour candidate for Hutt, said that as secretary of the Labour Party he could give an assurance that no member of the party would countenance at any time anv interruption of any candidate’s meeting No friend of Labour would stop anybody stating their case. BULLER. Westport, November 24. Mr John Menzies, Coalition candidate for the Buller electorate, opened his campaign at Hector and Seddonville this evening, receiving an excellent reception. A vote of thanks anti confidence was carried. At Seddonville he urged the use of more New Zealand coal, that wharfage and freightage charges be lowered, more activity be displayed in gold mining and stated that New Zealand’s unemployment, system was superior to that of any other country. He favoured the overhauling and remodelling of the Arbitration Court. ON THE HUSTINGS CAMPAIGN SHOTS. WHAT THE CANDIDATES ARE SAYING. “I had the Bible at all the schools I attended and it's done me no harm, at least I hope it hasn’t.”—Mr F. W. Freeman, at Redcliffs. * * * * “I am not anti-Labour, I am antiSocialist.”—Mr C. S. McCully, Coalition candidate for Christchurch South, speaking at an open-air meeting at Addington. •>*■»* Replying to a question, Mr R. Darroch, Coalition candidate' for Wellington Central, said he was in favour of extending the life of Parliament, from three to five years. Three years was not long enough. The candidate said he would be more emphatic about it when he got in. * * * * "United was begging and praying Reform to come in,” said Mr E. J. Howard, at Christchurch, speaking of Coalition. “But Mr Coates knew his fish and played it well. He knew what he wanted and was prepared to wait and get it. He did—temporarily.” * * * * In reply to a question regarding the three million pounds authorized for railways in New Zealand, Mr E. F. Healy (Coalition United, Wairau) said that the money was probably for the Tawa Flat and the Stratford line. He had asked questions regarding these works a dozen times in the House, but it seemed impossible to get an answer. “I think we are fifty years ahead of our time with hydro-electrical works in New Zealand. I am told that an enormous amount of money is being wasted at Waitaki. I intend to see these works whether I am in the House or not.”—Mr E. F. Healy (Coalition United, Wairau). * * * * “In this country,” said Mr F. W. Freeman. Coalition candidate for Lyttelton, at Redcliffs, “we are very apt to put limousine education into baby car heads. I don't believe in that type of education very much.” » * * * “I have read the Labour candidate’s speech,” said Mr S. G. Smith, Coalition candidate for New Plymouth, in answer to a question. A voice: And wasn’t it a good one. “I have read the Labour candidate’s speech,” resumed the speaker, “on banking, and I must say that I read it. years ago in the General Assembly Library.” ♦ * * * “I believe in buying New Zealand goods whenever I can. There are some things, however, that New Zealand factories do not make, a size 19 collar, for instance. I have to look to Australia to supply me with my collars, since it is the nearest British possession to our own Dominion.”—Dr W. 11. Horton, Coalition candidate for Auckland East. * * * * “Can you back up your policy of wanting to assist local industries by saying that those shoes you have on are New Zealand made!” asked a questioner of Miss Ellen Melville, women’s candidate for Parnell. “No, my shoes are not New Zealand made,” she replied, pleasantly, “but my dress is, and my hat is, and my •” Her last words were drowned in a burst of appreciative laughter from the large crowd present.