GENERAL ELECTION

Southland Times, Issue 21561, 26 November 1931, Page 8

GENERAL ELECTION

MATAURA CONTEST MR T. GOLDEN AT KAIWERA SUPPORTER OF COALITION Mr Thomas Golden, unofficial Reform Coalition candidate for the Mataura seat, continued his campaign yesterday, addressing meetings of electors at Arthurton, Waipahi, Kaiwera and Pukerau. At all centres there were good attendances and the candidate received a good hearing with votes of thanks and confidence. At all centres, the candidate outlined his reasons for contesting the seat and replied to criticism levelled at him by his opponent, the sitting member, concerning the failure of the Southland County Council to take up grants for road works obtained by Mr McDougall for the Toi Tois riding of which Mr Golden is the representative. At Kaiwera there was a fair attendance of electors at the school. Mr J. J. Wylie was elected to the chair. In his opening remarks, the candidate apologized for being compelled to deliver his address in the afternoon, but the extreme shortness of the campaign prevented him from visiting each centre in the evening. At the time that he had agreed to contest the election only 12 days had remained until election date. During the past few months there had been many’ changes in the political situation of the country, he proceeded. Early in the year the Prime Minister had announced a Budget deficiency which had increased rapidly as the year continued. Mr Forbes had invited Mr Coates ‘to form a National Government, but Mr Coates had declined. Later, Mr Coates had suggested the setting up of an Economic Committee. This had been done and a committee representative of all parties had heard evidence from some of the leading financial autthorities of the Dominion. Subsequently, Mr Coates had offered to co-operate with Mr Forbes in carrying out a plan for economic rehabilitation and the present Coalition Government had been formed. Selection of Candidate. There had also been many changes in the personnel of political candidates. When the Reform Party had originally intended to contest the Mataura electorate, Mr James Hargest had been chosen. All knew well of the steps subsequently taken by the Reform and United parties to meet the serious position into which the country had drifted. A Coalition Government had been formed and now appealed to the electors for support. He wished it to be clearly understood that in standing as the unofficial Reform candidate it was his intention to give the Coalition Government his fullest support. He firmly believed that the country required a stable Government, and that was offered to the electors by the Coalition Party. The policy advocated by the Coalition Party leaders, however, that the sitting members were their endorsed candidates, had not been accepted by the majority of the rank and file of all parties. It amounted to disfranchisement of the people, and it was for them to say who wils to represent their electorate, whether the official or unofficial candidate. No doubt the leaders of the Coalition

Government were guided by the precedent * of the National Government set up at. Home, where they were willing to give endorsement to the sitting members who were willing to support a National Government. Conditions in the. Homeland were totally different, as Parliament, had not run its full course, and for that reason alone sitting members deserved consideration. In New Zealand, however, Parliament had completed its term, and Mr Golden maintained that electors were entitled to select their own candidate and decide who should represent them in Parliament. Electors were probably aware that when Mr Hargest withdrew from the Mataura electorate following the Coalition Party’s announcement, Mr A. J. Kerse had been approached to allow himself to be nominated as an unofficial Reform candidate. For business reasons he was unable to accept. Mr Golden said he had then been approached and had consented to nomination. It was the wish of these people, who represented a large proportion of the electorate, that he should support the Coalition Party. An official Coalition candidate was already out in the sitting member, but it was for the people to say who was to represent them. Although not the official candidate, Mr Golden said he proposed to support the Coalition unreservedly. Economic Crisis. Mr Golden said that the times were too serious to permit dabbling in economic or political theories. The Dominion was faced with the greatest economic crisis in its history, and the only path towards economic rehabilitation lay in the direction of sound administration as circumstances directed. This made obvious the need for a stable Government which would inspire confidence in the money markets of the world. He trusted that, the Coalition Government would be returned with a strong working majority, that its members would get closer together, and that, ultimately the threeparty system would be done away with. One of the first measures dealt with by Parliament after the formation of the Coalition Government had been the report of the Railways Board, continued the candidate. The bulk of the lines under construction showed no prospect of paying, and it was decided to suspend further work. This was deemed necessary as the serious state of the country’s finances demanded every economy. It would be remembered that the construction of certain lines had been one of the planks of the United Party’s platform. When the decision of the Coalition Government had been announced in the House following the Railways Board’s report, many members of all parties had turned against the decision of their own leaders and had voted against the measure when it came before the House. Among these was the present member for Mataura, Mr McDougall. Mr Golden said he firmly believed that the economic crisis through which the country was passing demanded every’ rigid economy possible, and the suspension of these works represented such. He contended that Mr McDougall had broken faith with the Coalition Government by his action over the Railways Board’s report. There was the danger that when the election was over several members might be returned who were sympathetic towards the construction of the main trunk railway line. Some of the official Coalition candidates were in support of this. If it so happened that there was a majority for the continuation of this line, the Government would be in a hole. Mr Forbes had expressly stated that the Government would have to borrow the money for this purpose and could not obtain it at a lower rata than 71 per cent., and Mr Forbes appealed to the House to stand by the Coalition pact, which was set up for the purpose of carrying out economies. At this stage Mr Golden said that Mr McDougall and he were good friends and any criticism which he levelled against the present member was in no sense a personal attack, but purely criticism. 1 Fall in Prices. The main reason for the severe economic depression in the Dominion was the very sudden drop in values of its products in the overseas markets. The drop had resulted in a decrease of many millions of pounds in the spending power of the country. In New Zealand 95 per cent, of the primary products, which formed the national wealth, came from the land, and if the farmers were not receiving a good price for their products the country could not have the same spending power, and every section of the community suffered —

business men, tradesmen and especially the worker.

Amongst the many problems confronting farmers were interest on mortgages and rates and taxes on land, which were fixed charges. Through extension of the Mortgage Protection Act the Government was doing a certain amount to assist farmers. This prevented foreclosure by the mortgagee until the position of the mort- 1 gagor had been examined by a tribunal. Actually’ the Government was, through State Advances, the biggest mortgagee. It was his intention, if returned as member for Mataura, to urge the Government to give every consideration to farmers. Whenever there was a trier who could not meet his obligations and had no prospect of doing so, the Government should make adjustments. Referring to Crown lands, educational endowments and reserves, Mr Golden stated that relief could well be afforded many of the lessees whose rents were based on boom prices for their products. Much of these lands comprised sheep, agricultural and dairying properties and the settlers in these times of economic stress were, in many instances, unable to gain sufficient return from their holdings to meet current expenses. Such settlers should receive relief, and he would advocate writing Jown the charges levied on them. The farmer was now up against high rates on land generally. There were three local bodies in Southland collecting revenue from the farmers, and many of the men on the land could not afford to pay in these hard times. His connection with the County Council Drought him into close contact with this question. The heaviest rate at the present time was the road rate, and he advocated the derating of farm lands, a practice which was in vogue in many other countries. Another heavy rate borne by the farmers was required to meet the obligations of the Southland electric power scheme. This scheme had never paid ks way and now ratepayers had to shoulder a heavy rating burden. There was a deficiency of £50,000, and for five or six years the ratepayers had had to shoulder this. Other electric schemes in the Dominion wen carried out by the Government. With these also heavy losses were sustained, losses which were handed on to the taxpayer. This was not fair. Representations had repeatedly been made by Southland for relief, but nothing yet had materialized. If he was returned to Parliament he would use his every endeavour to gain relief to the extent of the tax which had to be paid in Southland, and he would also seek the support of other provincial members. Another rate which fell on the land was to meet hospital expenditure. He did not think, however, that anyone would obje-tt to paying that rate. Keeping Down Imports. Dealing with the question of imports and exports, Mr Golden said it was just as essential that imports should be kept down as it was essential to increase exports. It was better business to export products to the value of only £-10,000,000 and import only .£30,000,000 worth of goods than to export £56,000,000 and import £53,00,000 as had been done several years ago. The balance was necessary to meet interest obligations overseas.

Turning to customs, he said that no doubt the greatest falling off in revenue had occurred in customs duties, but he believed that this was probably gotxi business as it was little gain to the country to send 15/- overseas to collect perhaps 57in revenue on an article ultimately costing £l. Perhaps the Minister of Finance would not agree with this view, but it was the candidate’s personal opinion. “We are living in a democratic age,” he said. “It may be said that democracy has been tried out to the fullest extent possible and shows signs of breaking down under its own weight, especially in some of our neighbouring dominions.” The candidate believed that they should try to preserve what their forefathers had fought for and gained. Democracy which brought about freedom and liberty of action, both individually and collectively, had no alternative as far as the speaker could see except a dictatorship which had been tried unsuccessfully in certain other countries. In New Zealand a generation of electors had been brought up without experiencing years of adversity and it was not easy for them to realize what was happening and any government which was experiencing difficulties would not find it a simple matter to drive home to them what was happening. Mr Golden said that he had the utmost confidence in the patriotism of the younger electors and he believed that they would be prepared to make all the necessary sacrifices involved in the process of bringing the country back to prosperity. Unemployment. Referring to unemployment Mr Golden said it was one of the most serious problems confronting the Government at the present time, the number of 50,000 who were out of work being the largest in the history of New Zealand. “Even in prosperous times we have had a quota of unemployed,” continued the speaker, “but to-day those out of work are of a totally different class. Genuine workers, unable to secure a position, are faced with disaster and have been obliged to revert to relief work which, if anything else in the way of employment were offering, they would not accept. On the relief works their wages are of so small a nature that they and their families are denied even the bare necessities of life, a most unfortunate state of affairs in a country like this producing so much of its own foodstuffs.” Recently' the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, as Minister for Unemployment, had inaugurated a scheme to develop Crown lands and bring them into a state of production by the transfer of men engaged on road relief work. It was far better that they should be employed in these channels than on road work which might not be necessary. Development of Crown lands, said Mr Golden, was the best remedy for the unemployment problem and it was quite probable that in this way the State would discover a number of desirable settlers among the relief workers. If a selection were made in this respect he was sure many would prove acceptable to the State and be of benefit to the country. The men would be able to bring up families of potential future settlers and thus develop what was commonly referred to as the agricultural bias. It was the best scheme in sight at present and if he were elected member for Mataura, Mr Golden said he would be prepared to support the Government in this direction. Development of Crown lands for settlement was a better proposal than the subdivision of private estates beyond their production value.

As member for the Toi Tois riding of the Southland County Council, Mr Golden replied to Mr McDougall’s criticism of the council’s action in not taking up certain Government grants obtained by Mr McDougall and placed on the estimates. Many of the votes concerned were on a subsidy basis. Mr Golden explained that in his locality there was a good deal of Crown land of a very moderate rating value. The area through which the Chaslands road passed yielded a total of £8 in rates and the Chaslands section would have involved the County Council in an expenditure of about £lOOO. “It was not possible to grant £lOOO where we could get only £8 in rates,” said Mr Golden. “I don’t see how I, or for that matter, Mr McDougall, could do it. In his criticism Mr McDougall did not tell the other side of the story. In my opinion it would have been doing an injustice to the ratepayers as a whole if I had supported it.” Mr Golden said that in voicing his objection to the proposal he had pointed out the suitability of the work as a relief measure. The metal was there and cartage costs would not be very ’heavy. He had persisted in his efforts and finally the work had been completed by the Public Works Department without costing the ratepayers a shilling. It had been done right up to the Clutha bridge without cost to the Clutha County Council. Mr Golden enumerated several other votes placed on the estimates without the application of the council to which the same conditions applied. f

Waikawa-Curio Bay Road. Coming to the subject of the WaikawaCurio Bay Road, Mr Golden alleged that this work had been used by his opponent as an instrument to secure the opposition of returned soldiers against him. The position was that Mr McDougall had obtained on the estimates a sum of £2500 for this work and the County Council was requested to provide £2OO. Mr Golden said he had refused to accede to the application on the grounds that insufficient rates were received from the territory in question to warrants this action. The Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association had subsequently become interested in the scheme as a means for providing relief work for its unemployed members during the winter months and offered to give £lOO out of its own funds to see the work put under way. Offers of contributions from other local bodies interested had also been received. Mr Golden's offer to have all legalizing and surveying work done at a cost of from £6O to £7O was gratefully accepted by the R.S.A. The urgency of the work was stressed to the County Council which, to facilitate matters, suspended work in other districts and concentrated on the Waikawa —Curio Bay road. Surveying was completed within a fortnight and shortly after the Public Works Department was advised that everything was in readiness except the actual legislation of the work. This was in July and as the months went on without the work being commenced, the County Council came in for criticism. The real position, said Mr Golden, was that the Government did not have the money. “About ten days ago those interested were round Mr McDougall like n pack of wolves so he sent a telegram to the Hon. R. Masters,” said Mr Golden. “He received a reply, which he is waving about at his meetings, stating that the money was on the estimates, and that it was the fault oi the County Council that the necessary legalizing work was not completed. About the same time a wire came to the County Council saying there was a little defect which had to be remedied. It was only an excuse for the department's failure to go on with the work for which the Government had no money. “It is not fair on the part of Mr Masters and Mr McDougall putting the blame on to the County Council,” Mr Golden continued. "The fact of its not finding the defect unlit four months afterwards does not exonerate the department. My opponent is endeavouring to use the delay as a lever against me, giving rise to a false impression that I would not give returned soldiers work and backblock settlers roads.” In conclusion, Mr Golden said he did not reside in the centre of the electorate and this might be held to be a disadvantage, but in these days of fast transport it was not of much importance. If elected, he would not neglect any part of the electorate, but would give ,of his best services for all the electors. On the motion of Mr J. Brown, seconded by Mr T. L. Morris, the candidate was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. OTHER MEETINGS. Mr T. Golden, unofficial Reform Coalition candidate for the Mataura electorate, continued his campaign on Tuesday. At Merino Downs, Mr McNoe presided over a good attendance of electors and Mr Golden’s address was listened to with interest, a vote of thanks and confidence moved by Mr Cooper being carried unanimously. In the evening Mr Golden addressed a meeting at Kelso, Mr W. Clark presiding over an attendance of more than 50 electors. The candidate received a most enthusiastic reception and a vote of thanks and confidence in him was passed on the motion of Mr Sim. INVIJRCABGILL SEAT MR DENHAM’S CAMPAIGN. . ADDRESS AT GEORGETOWN. In continuation of his election campaign, Mr W. C. Denham, Labour candidate for the Invercargill seat, addressed a wellattended meeting of electors in the Georgetown Hall last night. Mr A. A. Ayers acted as chairman and briefly introduced the candidate, who was accorded both an attentive hearing throughout and, at the conclusion of his address, a hearty and unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Mr Denham’s speech followed closely along the lines of his previous addresses. Referring to a sub-leader in yesterday’s issue of the Southland Times, the candidate said that the editor had stated that he (Mr Denham) had never made any mention of the ideals of Labour. I want to say that that statement is not correct,” continued Mr Denham. “At every meeting I invariably declare and explain that Labour has its ideals. But what are the ideals of the other parties? What is the future policy of their candidates? By way of digression, let me say I respect my opponents and any criticism I make is uttered in a public way, for I am not actuated at all by personal animosity. (Applause.) So I ask: What are their ideals? Unless the politicians of this country have ideals they are useless. It is strange how the very name of ‘Socialist’ makes many people raise their hands in horror. We are all Socialists when all is said and done. Our hospitals, libraries, etc., are all Socialistic institutions. The Labour Party aspires that all industry shall be organized on the basis of production for use and not on that of production for profit. The ideal of Labour is that all resources should be used for the benefit of the whole community. “But what are the ideals of our present Parliament to-day?” asked the candidate. “Its supporters cannot point to anything very hopeful, can they? Although we have national resources equal to those of any other country, yet look at the state we are in. Do you tell me that that position is brought' about by a divine power —that we cannot save ourselves? No, our faulty system is at the root of all the trouble." After the candidate had answered questions, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in him, moved by Messrs C. Burrows and E. Crisp, was carried unanimously.

The following report has been supplied:— Despite the inclement weather about 209 people greeted Mr W. C. Denham, official Labour Party candidate for Invercargill, when he addressed the electors at Knox Hall, Conon street, on Tuesday evening. Mr Denham was accorded an attentive hearing and at the conclusion of his address a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was accorded him on the motion of Messrs Harris and P. Marchant. The meeting closed with cheers for Mr Denham and the Labour Party.

The chairman, Mr T. O'Byrne, introduced the candidate to the meeting, and referred to the great interest displayed by Mr Denham in the working class movement, both in local and civic matters. Mr Denham, who on rising to speak was greeted with applause, dealt with the wage cut, the education question, the treatment meted out to returned soldiers with regard to unemployment, Labour’s land policy, and the Arbitration Court. At the conclusion of his address the candidate was asked several questions by members of the audience. Mr Denham stated that he was in favour of the continuation of the main trunk line in the South Island, and in answer to further questions declared emphatically that the electors of Invercargill had been grossly outraged by the manner in which the restoration issue had been postponed. With regard to the payment of wages for single men on relief works, the candidate stated that in his opinion single men should be paid the same rates as married men. The single man did the same amount of work, besides in many cases having to support dependents. (Applause). When asked if he was in favour of the abolition of the Upper House, Mr Denham stated that the Legislative Council might be of some use to the country, but what that use was he was at present unable to say. As it stood at present the Upper House was an unnecessary and expensive luxury.

MR HARGESTS CAMPAIGN. The following report has been received: Mr Hargest addressed a large meeting of electors in the Parish Hall at Gladstone last evening, Mr C. J. Broad occupying the chair. The candidate spoke along the lines of his previous addresses, specially emphasizing the necessity of a strong Coalition Government to steer the country through the present troublous times. On the motion of Mr R. M. Strang, seconded by Mr G. A. Tapper, a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to Mr Hargest. Younger Supporters. A particularly successful meeting of Mr Hargest’s younger supporters was held in the Rosewood Tea Rooms last evening, over 150 being present. Pending Mr Hargest’s arrival from the Gladstone meeting, Messrs C. B. Tapley, F. G. Hall-Jones and W. Grieve delivered short addresses, and the candidate was greeted with the heartiest enthusiasm on entering the room. Mr Hargest outlined the difficulties which were facing the Government during the financial crisis and urged all those present to appreciate the importance of the vote which had been secured for them by their forefathers. Several musical items were given and the evening concluded with supper and dancing. Ladies’ Meeting. Despite the inclement weather 70 ladies assembled to meet Mr, Hargest at the Victoria Hall yesterday afternoon. Mr C. B. Tapley presided. The candidate expressed his views on various matters of importance to lady electors, particularly stressing the unemployment question. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was passed on the motion of Mrs Pollok, seconded by Mrs Walker. mr McChesney at cufton.

The following report has been supplied :— In spite of the inclement weather Mr W. McChesney held a well attended meeting at Clifton last evening. Mr A. E. Soper occupied the chair and the candidate was given a close and attentive hearing, and at the conclusion of his address was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence on tHe motion of Messrs J. W. L>ale and A. McKenzie. In reply to a question whether he was in favour of lengthening the term of Parliament or the time between the licensing polls, the candidate said he was opposed to such a measure. During the course of his speech the candidate briefly mentioned the attention given to him by the editor of the Southland Tunes, and said he felt some measure of gratification at having received such attention, which indicated that the editor was surely perturbed as to the result of the issue. AWARUA ELECTORATE MR PERRELLE’S CAMPAIGN. The following report has been supplied: Notwithstanding the boisterous weather and the early hour, Mr P. A. de la Perrelle addressed close on thirty electors at the Rimu Dairy’ Factory at 9 a.tn. on Tuesday. Mr J. Shand presided and the candidate was given an excellent hearing. At the conclusion of the address a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was carried on the motion of Messrs R. Grieve and A. Batchelor. At Roslyn Bush on Tuesday night Mr Perrelle addressed close on 40 electors, Mr D. Clark occupying the chair. The candidate was accorded an excellent hearing. At the conclusion of the address, Mr W. Caldwell in moving a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence said they all knew that in the past he had supported the Reform candidature, but he was fully in accord with the Coalition policy and he recognized that Mr Perrelle had also done excellent work for Awarua. The motion was seconded by Mr W. Murphy and carried unanimously. At Woodlands later on in the same evening, Mr Perrelle addressed between 80 and 100 electors in the Town Hall. Mr J. K. Saxelby presided and referred to Mr Perrelle’s splendid work for the constituency and New Zealand. At the conclusion of the address, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr John Caird and seconded by Messrs P. Fahey and L. Evans (Longbush) and carried by acclamation. INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE. The following report has been supplied:— Mr Norman Mclntyre, the Independent candidate for Awarua, addressed over 100 electors in the Tussock Creek Hall on Friday evening. Mr Crow was voted to the chair. The candidate received an attentive hearing and at the conclusion of an address lasting over one and a half hours was loudly applauded on resuming his seat. A motion of thanks and confidence moved by Mr Donald Shaw and seconded by Mr A. H. Horton was carried unanimously. A similar meeting was addressed on Saturday evening at Lochiel, there being about SO electors present. Mr Mclntyre addressed a well attended meeting in the Waianiwa Hall on Tuesday night, when Mr W. King occupied the chair. Mr Mclntyre received a splendid hearing, his remarks being punctuated with applause. At the end of a spirited address he received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Messrs Forrest and Fotheringham. WALLACE CAMPAIGN MR GILFEDDER AT TUATAPERE. The following report has been supplied: Mr Peter Gilfedder, Liberal candidate for the Wallace electorate, held a very successful meeting at Tuatapere last evening, about 250 electors being present in spite of the counter attraction of a Plunket Society bazaar, which was in progress near, by. The candidate received a good reception and was only called upon to answer two questions at the conclusion of his address. Mr G. McLeod presided and the usual motion was carried, Messrs A. Hobbs and E. Morris being mover and seconder. After the meeting Mr Gilfedder spoke on the value of the Plunket Society at the bazaar, but did not refer to politics there. At Orepuki on Monday evening Mr Gilfedder was accorded a rousing reception from 100 electors who, at the close of the candidate’s address, enthusiastically passed a unanimous vote of confidence in Mr Gilfedder’s ability to represent the district. The candidate delivered a forceful speech in outlining his policy, and dealt mainly with the agricultural, pastoral and mining industries as affecting the province. He also discoursed on the possibilities of developing the shale works and oil industry in the district. Mr D. McKenzie was chairman for the evening and Messrs L. Shaw and F. McDougall sponsored the motion of confidence. FAVOURABLE OUTLOOK PRIME MINISTER INTERVIEWED. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, November 25. The Hon. G. W. Forbes arrived from the South Island this morning. He said he had been extremely pleased with the evidence he had seen on all sides of the solid support for the Coalition Government. There was a widespread determination to stand by the Government. The rowdiness at his public meetings had been caused by the associates of the Labour Party in attempts to prevent the Coalition candidates speaking/ and it was only tending to strengthen the determination of many electors to rally round the Government on polling day. He regarded the outlook as very favourable for a return of the Government to office, but the supporters of the Government should not take it for granted that the victory was secure and should roll up to the polling booths on election day because the Labour Party was out to get as big an aggregate vote as possible so that they could claim in analys-

ing the voting that the support for the Labour Party had increased and that the Government’s policy was unpopular. With that object in view the Labour Party was putting up candidates where they had not a ghost of a show. He urged Coalition supporters to make the poll a large one and expressed the hope that the Labour Party would not be able to make such a claim because of the neglect of people who did not think it necessary to vote. REPLY TO LABOUR LEADER. Wellington, November 26. The Hon. G. W. Forbes, with reference to Mr H. E. Holland’s statement at Palmerston North to-day, denied saying he had sent a letter to Mr Holland about the formation of the National Government and added he had never said he had received any communication from Mr Holland in reply. He put a question to Mr Holland direct across the table at the Inter-party Economic Committee when he pointed out to Mr Holland that the seriousness of the financial position could only be handled by a National Government and Mr Holland replied: “Not unless such Government would carry out our policy.” His answer to that was that the National Government was being formed for the purpose of dealing with the present financial crisis and bringing down measures necessary to ensure stability in Budgeting. He pointed out to Mr Holland that there would be no question of party in the National Government and it was being formed in the country’s interests. THE HON. J. G. COATES ADDRESS AT CHRISTCHURCH. POLICE KEEP CROWD FROM DOORS. Christchurch, November 25. The Hon. J. G. Coates arrived this morning from Wellington and immediately set out on a strenuous tour, speaking at Akaroa, Little River and Taitapu in the Lyttelton and Riccarton electorates. In the evening he addressed a meeting in the Caledonian Hall. After their experience of the Prime Minister's meeting, the police took no risks and on this occasion a strong cordon of police was formed, keeping the crowd 20 yards from the doors of the hall. About 2000 people waited outside, hearing the speech through loud speakers. The whole audience inside the hall was of friends and supporters, the whole capacity of the building being taken up by ticketholders. Two Communists gained admission by the use of cleverly forged tickets, but they were discovered and put out. The meeting was conducted almost wholly without interruption of any kind and Mr Coates was given a friendly reception. Mr Coates made a full defence of the acts of the Coalition Government, particularly those for assisting primary industries. Speaking of unemployment, he took the occasion to refer to a picture in the Labour Party election broadsheet, depicting men drawing harrows. Mr Coates said that nothing of the kind had occurred since he was Minister for Unemployment and that actually the work on which the picture was taken was conducted by the Petone Unemployment Committee on which there were a number of Labour representatives. Stating definitely that Mr Holland had been asked to join in the National Government, Mr Coates threw out a further invitation to Mr Holland still to join, declaring the assistance of every party was needed to overcome the present crisis. A resolution of thanks and confidence in the Coalition was carried with cheering. Mr Coates was entertained at supper in the hall before leaving. The crowd was dispersing before he left the hall. The police state that it was on their advice and their strongly urged request that Mr Forbes left the hall after his meeting on Monday by going over a fence and through a private garden. The police feared the temper of the crowd was such that there might be a troublesome disturbance. A GOOD HEARING LABOUR LEADER AT AUCKLAND. Auckland, November 26. Keen public interest was taken in the address of Mr IL E. Holland here to-night. The Town Hall and the Concert Chamber were well packed and a large crowd listened outside. Air Hutchison, the Mayor, presided. Mr Holland spoke for over two hours and was accorded an enthusiastic vote of confidence and support. A perfectly orderly and sympathetic hearing was accorded the Labour Party’s leader who claimed that had it not been for Labour, the people would have had no election. His statement that the union of United and Reform was not a legal, but companionate marriage, was greeted with much laughter and applause. He criticized the appointments of the Hon. R. Masters and Sir James Parr and claimed that Mr Forbes had surrendered the United Party and accepted the domination of Reform. He claimed that every time a new economy was made by the Government, the unemployment situation was accentuated and he asserted that within four months of the Government having stated that no more New Zealand railway slee]>ers were wanted, thousands of sleepers were brought from Australia. He criticized the smallness of pay being allowed to men on relief works and said they must be got back to the rate of pay that would give a reasonable standard of living. There was an abundance of productive work needing to be done and the Labour Party would carefully select the men suitable for breaking in Crown lands. There were many large estates that would be broken up if Labour came into power. Mr Holland, charged the Government with a breach of faith in retiring many civil servants before their time, but said striking exceptions had been made in favour of Mr Sterling and others. He declared the Government had refused all benefits to women under the unemployment legislation, had reduced the maternity allowances, reduced the Provident Fund benefits, reduced the grants to hospital boards and nurses’ salaries and stopped the free dental service of children. Mr Forbes was not going to abolish the Arbitration Court, but was going to abolish the agreements and awards under it and leave it hopeless and helpless as far as the workers were concerned. Mr M. J. Savage at the close appealed for the same quiet hearing for Mr Forbes on Monday night. IN OTHER CENTRES WELLINGTON NORTH. Wellington, November 25. Mr C. 11. Chapman, the Labour candidate for Wellington North, opened his campaign. He gave his support to the Labour policy as outlined in the manifesto and stated that if returned to power the Labour Party intended to put the whole of its policy into operation within three years. A vote of thanks and confidence was recorded. WAIMARINO. Tauranga, November 25.' Mr W. H. Wackrow, the Coalition candidate for Waimarino, addressed the electorate last night. He advocated a reduction of the timber freights and received a vote of confidence. The Hon. E. A. Ransom addressed a meeting last night. He said the Government realized that some people were suffering hardship, and it was determined to purchase 25,000 sheep to put into cold storage for the winter for distribution to the needy. DUNEDIN NORTH. MR R. S. BLACK WITHDRAWS. Dunedin, November 25. Mr R. S. Black, the Independent candidate for Dunedin North, was waited on this morning by a deputation of citizens

representing the Coalition, and he agreed to accede to the deputation’s request to withdraw his candidature so as to enable a straightout fight between Coalition and Labour. Regarding Mr Black’s retirement the Dunedin Star states: “In giving his decision to retire to the strong deputation representative of the Coalition which waited upon him, Mr Black expressed keen appreciation of the support he had received so far in the campaign and great regret that his friends and supporters should be disappointed by his retirement. He was influenced, however, only by his concern for the national welfare.” HAMILTON. Hamilton, November 25. The Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, the Reform Coalition candidate for Hamilton, speaking at Hamilton defended the Government measures to meet the present position. The principal cause of unemployment, he said, was the fall in national income through the fall in value of primary produce. Heavy taxation was a further cause of unemployment. The Minister considered the remedy was to get the folk back to the land and also advocated the development of the flax industry. Mr Charles Lafferty’, Independent candidate for Hamilton, opening his campaign, declared himself in favour, of full trade with Britain in farm implements, the reintroduction of the graduated land tax, the removal of the wheat duties and reduction in the naval and defence rate by £300,000. BULLER. Westport, November 25. The Coalition candidate, Mr John Menzies, who is contesting tjic Buller seat against Mr 11. E. Holland, conducted a tour of the mining towns round Westport tonight. At Grampty, Seddonville, Millerton and Denniston he received an attentive hearing. There was a complete absence of heckling and he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks at each meeting. At Seddonville he was accorded a unanimous vote of confidence. THE PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION’S STATEMENT. The following statement has been issued in the form of a circular by the New Zealand Public Service Association: The fact that in the Public Service which the association represents it is well-nigh universally recognized that employees of the State are obliged by the very nature of their duties to refrain from active participation in politics, compels commendation. Not only should public servants so remain aloof, but they must needs abstain from even an expression or suggestion of partisanship, and discharge whatever duties the policy of any given political party, which may at the moment govern the country, imposes, without regard to the personal and private views for which they have but one method of silent expression in the ballot box. The mental discipline thus enforced may not infrequently be severe to a public servant of strong convictions, particularly when he is smarting under a sense of the treatment of a Government which is facing the electors and accounting for its actions. Nevertheless, he derives compensation in more than one way. He is preserved, for instance, from the uneasiness and unrest which permeates services under political control in otheh lands, where “colour” is often the prime qualification for appointment, promotion, and dismissal, and it enables Ministers of successive Governments, and their departmental officers, too, to approach each other in a spirit of mutual confidence without which the highest type of Public Service would be difficult, if not impossible. What wonder, then, in the fact that the association, the official organization of the Public Service, has rigidly refrained from dabbling in party politics, whatever temptations our treatment at the hands of an existing Government may have created. To our minds, the wisdom of the course stands out with startling clarity even at this moment when the service is sore beset. To-day, therefore, on the eve of the general election, we can only counsel our members to exercise their vote in the manner their best judgment dictates in the interests of New Zealand.” ON THE HUSTINGS CAMPAIGN SHOTS. “I would like to see afforestation work speeded up until planting is being carried out at the rate of 200,000 acres a yew,” said Mr W. B. Taverner, speaking at St. Kilda. Mr Taverner added that this would provide work for at least 10,000 men, and said that he would like to see all accessible land in the Dominion unsuited for farming purposes utilized for afforestation. ♦ * * * The advent of American competition in New Zealand shipping was referred to at Mr J. McCrae’s (Coalition) meeting at Maori Hill, Dunedin, by an elector who asked the candidate whether he was in favour of action to protect New Zealand seamen from unfair. competition by subsidized overseas vessels. “I suppose you refer to the Matson Line,’’ said Mr McCrae. “I think it is unfair competition, and the New Zealand Government should take action to prevent it. The people can settle this Matson Line themselves, however. If you stop buying American-made goods it will be unnecessary for American boats to come here at all.” —(Applause.) * * * * “What's that?” demanded an earnest seeker after information when a picture of a portion of the structural work on the Waitaki hydro-electric works was thrown on the screen during Mr W. B. Taverner’s address at St. Kilda, Dunedin. “Aw,” came a tired voice from a far corner, “that’s the new Post Office.” * * * * “New Zealand was the last country in the world to maintain political control of railways,” said the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) at Lyttelton on Monday, when defending the action of the Government in handing over the system to a board. “Tile railways will now be run on business lines,” he added. “The board will give the railways a fair deal and also the railway staff, and will save the ratepayers £1,500,000 a year. It will not be long before the railways are able to pay their way.” There were several bright moments at the meeting of Mr A. J. Stallworthy, Coalition candidate for Eden, at Balmoral road on Friday evening. One, which created immense amusement, was when the speaker was about to reply to a question by a woman in the front row. “My lady friend the candidate started in reply, only to be interrupted by a burst of laughter. “ I am not your lady friend,” the woman protested. “ If I cannot put it that way I shall say my friend the lady,” said Mr Stallworthy, quite unabashed. ♦ * * * “The most striking feature of the Labour Party’s campaign continues to be its disregard of realities,” says the Auckland Star. ♦ * * ♦ “United was begging and praying Reform to come in,” said Mr E. J. Howard, Labour candidate for Christchurch South, speaking of the 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.” When Mr S. Rickards, Coalition Reform candidate for Manukau, asked at his Ellerslie meeting, “Won’t someone get me a glass of water?” it was one of his most destructive critics in the audience who went out and returned with a bottle of soda water and a glass. The Samaritan was chaffed by the remainder of the audience, the more so

when he explained “I did not buy it—it was a gift.”—(Laughter.) * * Chairmen at election meetings often have unenviable tasks and moments of misery as they face a sea of faces which, to many who preside, must all seem to belong to potential interjectors and wreckers of decorum. The appearance of the chairman, a very small man, intrigued an Auckland audience last week, and when he rose to invite questions there was a running fire of remarks. “There’s Mickey the Mouse,” shouted a youth in front. “Where’s Minnie?” inquired someone else. Even the police constable in attendance had to join in the roar of laughter. * * * * “The only chance you have of getting a reduction in the old-age pensions is by voting for the Labour Barty,” said Mr C. S. McCully, Coalition candidate for Christchurch South, addressing an open-air meeting at Addington. Mr McCully added that his hearers might laugh, but pensions had been reduced by the Labour Government in Australia. ♦ * * * Although a vigorous opponent of the Prime Minister, Mr J. S. Fletcher, Independent candidate for Grey Lynn, came to the defence of Mr Forbes when replying to an interjector at his Westmere meeting. Mr Fletcher had been condemning the land settlement policy and the purchase of settled estates carried out when Mr Forbes was Minister of Lands, and had criticized his failure to do something for a group who had wanted to settle on small holdings at Kerikeri. A voice: He was not getting a cut out of that. “While I condemn the Prime Minister, because I believe he is not the man for the job,” retorted Mr Fletcher, “I will not stand on any platform in New Zealand and allow his honesty to be impugned by anyone, I don’t care who he is.”—(Loud applause.) The question of a 10 per cent, cut in interest to bondholders was dealt with on Tuesday night by Mr J. McCrae (Coalition candidate for Dunedin North), who said that at first it seemed to him that if the rate were not reduced it would, with the lower cost of living, be equivalent to an increased rate of interest. When the cost of living went up after the war, however, no agitation was made to increase the rate of interest to the bondholder. If it was a fair thing to reduce the rate of interest when the cost of living went down, surely it would have been fair to increase it when the cost of living went up. Another point was that most of that money really belonged to the working men of the Dominion and was not held by the “bloated capitalist. To argue that the rate of interest should be reduced was the same as asking for a reduced bonus on one’s insurance policy. Moreover, it was from the interest that the friendly societies got on bonds that they were able to pay out to the various beneficiaries. * * * * “There are men in New Zealand to-day with a highly specialized gift and training for salesmanship, who are selling goods on time payment to a greater degree than is prudent or safe,” said Dr W. H. Horton, Coalition United candidate for Auckland East. “Their gifts and training would be far better employed in pushing New Zealand’s barrow, loaded with her products, into the markets alike of our own country’ and of the rest of the world.” » * * * “I am afraid my facts won’t suit you because I am speaking the truth.” —Mr T. Forsyth, Coalition candidate for Wellington East, to a persistent interjector at Worser Bay. “I believe the rigidity of the Arbitration Court system is keeping men out of work.” —Mr H. Holland, Coalition candidate for Christchurch North.

“I have been through one of the most terrifying experiences any man ever had in trying to grapple with the unemployment problem.”—Mr S. G. Smith, Coalition candidate for New Plymouth and ex-Minister of Labour.

“Teddy Howard and I have made nuisances of ourselves in Parliament, and we will be nuisances outside if we are beaten.” —Mr H. T. Armstrong, Labour candidate for Christchurch East.