THE ELECTION

Southland Times, Issue 22731, 6 November 1935, Page 8

THE ELECTION

FINANCE MINISTER COMMENT ON DEMOCRAT POLICY COST OF PROGRAMME (Per United Press Association.) Wellsford, November 5. Statements by Mr T. C. A. Hislop regarding estimates of the cost of the Democrats’ programme were the subject of comment by the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, in the course of speeches in the Kaipara electorate to-day. Mr Coates reiterated the statement that the Democrat programme would involve the country in additional expenditure of at least £22,000,000 annually. X. r iV. Dealing with full restoration of the Civil Servants’ cuts, Mr Coates said the Democrat estimate of £500,000 for full restoration was mere guesswork. His own estimate was £BOO,OOO, over and above the recent 7| per cent, increase, based on an official calculation. Mr Hislop also stated that £lOO,OOO annually was more than sufficient to build up superannuation funds. His own estimate was £500,000 obtained from the Government Actuary and had the merit of being correct. Actually, it was quite unnecessary to build up the fund as the Government was well able to meet annual requirements from year to year. Mr Hislop disputed the estimate of the cost of the health insurance and pension schemes. The cost obviously depended on the benefits to be given, but the best guide was the recently published report of the official committee on which the figures were based. The Democrats proposed an unemployment loan of £8,000,000 annually, presumably additional to the present programme. This would mean annual loan charges of about £400,000 a year for the next 50 or 60 years. If the policy continued beyond the first year, the loan charges would soon reach £1,500,000 a year for a similar period. The exchange premium under the Democrat plan .would be replaced by an export subsidy of £3,000,000. Last season the exchange benefit to farmers totalled approximately £14,000,000. The improvement in the general economic conditions showed clearly that the rest of the community benefited as well as the farmer. The direct charge on the Budget as a result of the exchange was £1,600,000. The increased taxable capacity resulting from the improved conditions more than covered this. Since 1931-32 the value of production increased from £83,600,000 to £98,000,000. Since 1933, wages and salaries increased from £58,900,000 to £65,000,000. Business profits and other incomes also increased and as a result the Budget benefited by at least £2,000,000 above the cost of exchange. A subsidy to the farmer equalling the total exchange benefit would involve a direct Budget charge of at least £13,500,000 instead of £1,600,000. If only £3,500,000 was provided, farmers would be over £10,000,000 worse off, and the direct cost to the Budget doubled. The proposal also would involve discriminations between the farmer’s administrative difficulties and resentment against individual discrimination wcJuld cause the scheme to collapse quickly. “The statement that the Democrat programme will leave a gap of £22,000,000 still stands,” said Mr Coates, “and is based on official estimates. Electors must not be beguiled by impossible promises from political novices.” MATAURA SEAT MR McDougall’s campaign. Mr D. McDougall, M.P., Independent candidate for the Mataura seat, held two successful meetings on Monday night. At Waikana School Mr J. Shanks presided over an attendance of 25 electors, including several ladies. On the motion of Mr Donald Sinclair, seconded by Mr J. Henderson, a vote of thanks and confidence was passed. Mr T. Mawsley presided over 31 electors at the Brydone Hall, a vote of thanks and confidence being passed on the motion of Mr A. Thomson, seconded by Mr J. Wallace. WALLACE ELECTORATE MR HAMILTON’S CAMPAIGN. In addition to being accorded very attentive hearings the Hon. Adam Hamilton has also been favoured with excellent attendances at his meetings. On Saturday he spoke at Dunearn and Mossburn and on Monday at The Key and Nightcaps. Besides giving a detailed explanation of the major problems which confronted the Government when it came into power in 1931, Mr Hamilton explained the legislation adopted to meet the unprecedented difficulties with which the country was faced. In outlining the National Government’s policy he stressed the fact that it did not contain any extravagant proposals or promises the performance of which it would be impossible to fulfil. At each of the places at which he spoke Mr Hamilton emphasized the responsibility resting upon every elector, and urged all to see that they were not misguided by fanciful promises which could not afterwards be carried out. x AWARUA SEAT MR HARGEST’S ADDRESS. Last evening Mr James Hargest, M.P., National Government candidate for Awarua, addressed a meeting at Dacre. There was an attendance of about 40, over whom Mr Henderson presided. A vote of thanks was accorded the speaker on the motion of Mr P. Scully, seconded by Mr G. Stevenson. Later, at 8.30 o’clock, Mr Hargest addressed a meeting at Woodlands, there being an attendance of 120. Mr William Bell occupied the chair. A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Hargest was carried on the motion of Mr H. Tressider, seconded by Mr J. Howe. At both meetings Mr Hargest explained in detail the ' Government’s policy in connection with housing and Public Works proposals. OTHER SEATS ROSKILL SEAT. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, November 5. Mr T. Lamont, previously announced as the official Democrat candidate for the Roskill seat, stated to-day that he was no longer a member of the Democrat Party. Mr Lamont said he did not wish to discuss his reasons for severing his connection with the party, nor would he say whether he would be withdrawing as a candidate for Roskill. OAMARU SEAT. (Per United Press Association.) Oamaru, November 5. The official announcement was made to-day of Mr H. Gladstone Hill, organizer of the Democrat Party at Christchurch, as the Democrat candidate for the Oamarj electorate. This makes a triangular contest for this electorate at the general election with Messrs J. A. Macpherson (sitting

member, National Government) and the Rev. A. H. Nordmeyer (Labour candidate). MR LYSNAR STANDS AS INDEPENDENT. (Per United Press Association.) Gisborne, November 5. Stating that he was looking for a new party to govern the Dominion, Mr W. D. Lysnar, Independent candidate for the Gisborne seat, opened his campaign last evening with a declaration that he was dissatisfied with the present Government and unable to agree completely either with the Labour or the Democrat policies. He was standing therefore as an unpledged Independent and hoped to see sufficient Independents returned to form a new party. At the conclusion of a spirited address the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks from an audience of about 500, which accorded him a patient hearing. GREY LYNN CONTEST. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, November 5. It was announced by the Auckland section of the Communist Party that Mr H. M. Smith would be the party’s candidate for the Grey Lynn seat at the general election in place of Mr L. Howson who previously had been selected, but owing to unforeseen circumstances was leaving the Auckland district. CLOSING OF ROLLS DUNEDIN SEATS. (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, November 5. With the closing of the supplementary rolls the total rolls now are: Dunedin North, 13,095; Dunedin West, '12,646; Dunedin Central, 13,433; Dunedin South, 13,479. Chalmers, 10,038. All show increases on the 1931 rolls, except Dunedin South. WAIKATO ELECTORATES. (Per United Press Association.) • Hamilton, November 5. The following are the approximate totals for the main and supplementary rolls in the Hamilton, Waikato, Waitomo, Raglan and Rotorua electorates, compared with those of 1931, shown in brackets. — Hamilton 13,759 (13,031). Waikato 11,853 (9918). Waitomo 11,004 (9971). Raglan 10,513 (11,897). Rotorua 13,260 (12,530). WELLINGTON ELECTORATES. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, November 5. The Wellington electorates main roll and supplementary roll show the following totals. — Wellington North 7926 and 6536. Wellington Central 8159 and 6787. Wellington East 12,901 and 5138. Wellington South 9618 and 4839. Wellington Suburbs 14,098 and 497 L