OPTIMISTIC MR. BUNN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 492, 23 October 1928, Page 12

OPTIMISTIC MR. BUNN

REFORMER CASTIGATES OWN PARTY “NOT AFRAID TO BORROW” "I am an optimist, and I am not afraid to borrow money,” declared Mr. Bertram Bunn, Reform candidate in Manukau, in his opening address at Penrose last evening. “Do not let the position of the country get you down.” In support of his optimistic outlook Mr. Bunn criticised the Government freely and told about 100 electors he would borrow at least £ 5,000,000 to promote land development and if that amount were not sufficient he would borrow £ 5,000,000 more, and another £5,000,000 on top of that if necessary. Every pound spent on land development would return a handsome profit and people would not have to worry about the future. To borrow the huge sums as proposed by the leader of the United Party, however, would not be in the general welfare. The paramount need to-day was a man of Yvision and constructive criticism. The chief questions of the day were unemployment, cost of living, taxation and land settlement. The present depression was caused by deflated values following an adverse trade balance, . but there was every indication for a good season ahead. He advocated a comprehensive policy of land settlement on the Canadian system, whereby promising men would bo given facilities for selecting some of our large areas of undeveloped land, and given financial assistance to stock and develop it. It would cost money, but would not be so costly as allowing the dead weight of idle lands to keep the country down as at present. If a bold, progressive land settlement policy were not adopted, we could look out for trouble. The added wealth of increased production would be applied to secondary industries, and so absorb the existing surplus labour. Something must be done at once to provide work for the hundreds of willing men who were seeking it. A vigorous road formation policy would be one means of reducing unemployment, and he could not understand why the Highways Board did not get on with their job in this direction. Mr. Coates had told him that he would like to get behind the Highways Board and tell them what to do. The Auckland-Morningside railway was another work that should be pushed forward before next winter. Work must be found for Auckland men, who could not be expected to go out into the country and leave their wives and families. Another important undertaking was the PokenoPaeroa railway, which would give work for hundreds of men, open up a vast extent of first-class land, and save »ome 30 miles in the haulage of goods. TAXATION TOO HIGH “Why the Government does not seize such opportunities is more than I can say,” continued Mr. Bunn. “We want better men in the Government. We don’t want a Labour Government, but there is a great need for more progressive men in the present GovernTho high cost of living, he said, was a very difficult question. Its chief cause was high rents, but he contended that the only way to reduce tho cost of living was to reduce taxation, which was easier than reducing rents. In regard to transport. Air. Bunn complained that the Government was not alive to its responsibilities. He disagreed entirely with the Alotor Omnibus Act, and unless the promised Transport Board proved a success he thought that the sooner the Alotor Omnibus Act was repealed the better. He further blamed the Government for its immigration policy, and said that the restrictions recently imposed should bo adhered to. A careful selection of immigrants should be made so that only suitable persons should be allowed to enter the Dominion. As an offset to the ever-increasing public debt, he drew attention to the corresponding increase in exports, and contended that the burden of taxation was not caused by the national debt. If the country was to develop, we must borrow more money. and we were going to borrow more. Our last loan was subscribed seven times over, and the Government had made

a mistake in not borrowing a furth.. £5.000,000 when our credit stood high. so -I suppose you think that the bur den of taxation has increased trem..* dously,” he said. nt * en ' A Voice: Too true it ham. But,” he said, “peopl, must . taxed to redeem the war debt whi h | amounted to £ 3 7s lOd a head of population. Apart front this one item the general taxation had been reduced The principal contributors to Custom duties to-day were the drinkers the smokers, and women who wear luxur ious apparel.” i At this stage a desultory cross»flro . of interjections and arguments ~occu pied and amused the audience durinwhich Mr. Bunn asserted that it would be a bad day for New Zealand whr„ the Labour Party gained power. "I am not a blind follower of th. Reform Party,” he asserted. am out for the benefit of the work I ing man and the middle classes.” In answer to an interjector he said j that he would vote with the' Reform Party on a question of no-contidencr Order being restored, the candidate ; urged a further extension of StaJ ; advances to the w orkers, £13,000 (km ‘ liad already been advanced on dwei i ings. and there was “room for mi11:,,.' more.” He defended the soldiery land settlement policy, which ha con tended was the best thing ever do ■ lor New Zealand. done ‘‘THE WRONG PARTY” This statement caused a further desultory debate between the candi. j date and the audience, during which the general intelligence of the Domin : ion soldiers and their qualifications as I farmers was freely discussed. On the subject of education, jj. I Bunn doubted whether they ' wer» j getting full value for the enoVmouqv I increased expenditure. He said tha't we were spending far 100 much on education, more than the people could bear. He advocated a considerable reduction in education expenditure In conclusion he said: “It a countrv like ours can produce £ 130.000 000 a year, can possess 37.000,000 sheen 120.000 motor-cars, spend £B,OOO 000 a year on liquor, £ 1,500,000 on tobaccu and many more millions on the totali sator, pictures and other amusements there is not much the matter with it! Question time opened with “Don’t you think you're in the wrong party? I haven’t heard a more condemnatory speech against the Government.” A motion was moved by one of the audience to the effect that the electors of Manukau were thoroughly satisfied with their present member, Mr. w. j. Jordan, and hoped to see him returned* An amendment according Mr. Bunn a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was declared carried by the chairman Mr. R. G. Clark.