MR WRIGHT AND INDEPENDENCE

Southland Times, Issue 23624, 27 September 1938, Page 8

MR WRIGHT AND INDEPENDENCE

REFUSAL TO SUPPORT LABOUR PARTY

NATIONALISTS “LARGELY COUNTRY PARTY”

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 26. If he attached himself to any party it would be to the National Party, said Mr R. A. Wright, M.P., Independent candidate for Wellington West, when answering a question at the close of his address in the Kelburn kiosk tonight. Mr Wright was asked why he did not associate himself with one party or the other. He replied that being opposed to socialism he could not support the Labour Party. So long as the National Party did not legislate to the detriment of the city people it could rely on his vote. , ... ,-J r “The farmers vote is being bid for on both sides,” said Mr Wright, “and I am afraid the time will come when you people in the cities will be very heavily taxed to maintain the guaranteed nrices and other benefits for the farmers. I work with the Nationalists as much as I possibly can, but I want to reserve my independence to safeguard the interests of my constituency when a difficult time comes. The National Party is very largely a country party. There are only two members —perhaps three at the outside—who can be said to be town members. All the others represent farming interests. We have no town party, _ save the socialists. I contend I am justified in maintaining my independence, because I am not doing any disservice to my constituency. The reverse is the case — I am helping my constituency.” MR NASH EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE RESULT OF ELECTION AUCKLAND, September 26. The Minister of Finance (the Hon. Walter Nash) arrived by the Limited from Wellington, and left immediately by motor-car. for Whangarei. The Minister was met by a number of friends on the Auckland station and he expressed to them his confidence that the Government would be returned. He had no comment to make on the international situation. Mr Nash spent a busy time in North Auckland today. He addressed a meeting of 200 persons at Wellsford at midday, discussing guaranteed prices; social security and land tenure. He received a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr Nash later presided at the official opening of the Waipu-Brynderwyn road. This will shorten the distance from Whangarei to Auckland by seven miles and, by doing away with the grades on the old road line, reduce the travelling time by half an hour. Mr Nash said the cost when the road was completed would be £BO,OOO, which would be recouped in four year and a-half on the basis of the saving to motorists. Tonight Mr Nash addressed a meeting at the Whangarei Town Hall, which was packed. “WINDOW DRESSINGS” OF LAND FORCES REFERENCE BY NATIONAL CANDIDATE DUNEDIN, September 26. “It is time that the people should realize the facts about defence matters in New Zealand,” said Mr,A. S. Falconer, National candidate for Dunedin North, when opening his campaign tonight. “Mr W. J. Lyon, member for Waitemata, is Reported to have claimed that New Zealand today has as efficient a system of aerial defence as could be found anywhere in the British Empire. Admittedly the force has been expanded and the standard of efficiency raised, but Mr Lyons’s statement is so inaccurate as to be held up to ridicule by people with any knowledge of the subject." Mr Falconer then referred to the various fighting and bombing machines, none of which, he said, were up to date. Mr Lyon had made comparisons between defence measures in 1932-35 and 1935-38, but in the former period New Zealand was following Britain’s policy of disarmament and in the latter the reverse Was the case. Mr Falconer referred to “window dressings” of the land forces and submitted that much of the money could have been put to much better use. “Camouflage should cease,” he said. “The public should know the truth and, knowing it, it will co-operate with the Government in power in an endeavour to ensure that our defences will be as adequate as our geographical situation, our population and our finances will allow.” The speaker was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. OVERSEAS BORROWING PREVIOUS GOVERNMENTS ACCUSED OF EXCESS AUCKLAND, September 26. The record of the National Party’s predecessors over the period from 1920 to 1930 was attacked by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) in an address to his constituents. The Minister said the Government then kept the income tax down and yet borrowed excessively overseas, whereas Labour borrowed only £3,500,000. The surplus national income in the earlier period did not reach the homes of the wage and. salary earners of the farming and business communities, but was used for an orgy of speculation in land, dud companies and the erection of unnecessary freezing works, which later failed. Bankruptcies of farmers and others were much more numerous than under Labour, which had distributed the surplus to the best advantage in higher wages, useful works and social services. The record of the Nationalists’ predecessors blackened their administration for all time. SERIES OF ELECTION BROADCASTS MR W. A. BODKIN TO SPEAK TOMORROW (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 26. The next Opposition speaker in the series of election broadcasts will be Mr W. A. Bodkin (Central Otago), who will speak in Dunedin on Wednesday night. Other Opposition speakers have been arranged as follows:— October 3.—Mr S. G. Smith (New Plymouth), at New Plymouth. October 6.—Mr S. G. Holland (Christchurch North), at Oamaru. October B.—The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Kaipara), at Auckland. October 12. —The Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton), at Wellington. Tomorrow night’s speaker in the series will be the Minister of Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone), at Te Awamutu.