MOTUEKA SEAT

Southland Times, Issue 21856, 5 November 1932, Page 6

MOTUEKA SEAT

POLL TO BE TAKEN ON DECEMBER 1. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, November 4. The writ for the Motueka by-election caused by the death of Mr G. C. C. Black was issued to-day. It provides for the holding of a poll on Thursday, December 1. The rolls close at 6 o’clock this evening and nominations close on November 16. CAMPAIGN OPENS POLICIES OF CANDIDATES. Nelson, November 4. Mr R. McKenzie, the Liberal Labour candidate for the Motueka seat, in stating his reasons for opposing the Government said it proposed to interfere with the currency of the country and form a federal State bank. The country was already well served by commercial banks. He opposed the present treatment of public servants and would have supported a graduated scale “cut” on the salaries of the higher paid officials, but ordinary servants could not afford a 15 per cent, “cut.” The Government had no public works policy to speak of to-day. Of any schemes now on, the No. 5 scheme found employment for many men with sometimes doubtful permanent results, but the Ministers were great schemers and also great bunglers. He was opposed to the railway policy. Building bituminized roads alongside the railway and then opening the way for motor competition was short sighted. He considered the Government should tax lorries so they could not compete with the State railways. “How could working people be expected to support 100,000 unemployed as at present?” There were plenty of opportunities for opening up the country and providing work for every man and woman. The Government started on the wrong track with the unemployment question. He supported some of the Government public works proposals, but not many, and if elected would give members a piece of his mind and also some directions to follow. Mr K. J. Holyoake, the l official Coalition candidate, after paying a tri-

bute to the late Mr G. C. Black, said there was no doubt the Coalition Government was one of the greatest factors hastening economic recovery. It was announced at Ottawa that a monetary policy would be followed to bring about a rise in the price of primary produce. That was far more vital to recovery than any internal currency scheme. Nothing could be more dangerous than to introduce political influence and not financial control. Ottawa marked the commencement of a new era in truer Empire trade. Immediate benefits would be of considerable value to primary industries. Labour objects to the Ottawa Agreement. Their speakers insisted it should be denounced at once. Referring to social services, Mr Holyoake said the yearly amounts spent on health, pensions, superannuation and education totalled £7,661,000 which figure alone showed much consideration for those they served.