INCREASED PROSPERITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 495, 26 October 1928, Page 12

INCREASED PROSPERITY

N.Z. UNDER REFORM MR. ADEANE AT HERNE BAY Strong opposition from practised political hecklers and prominent adherents of both the Labour and United Parties helped to make an interesting meeting for Mr. Frank Adeane, Reform candidate for Auckland West, at the Bayfield Mission Hall, Herne Bay, last evening. The candidate was given a good hearing from a large audience, many of whom were forced to stand outside the open windows of the hall. Mr. \> • Parkinson presided. New Zealand was one of the few countries in the world that was paying its way, stated Mr. Adeane. Under the Reform administration, production had increased sixfold. Yet the Labour Party contended that the Dominion i was not progressing. The wisest policy ! this country could pursue was to help the man on the land. This the Reform Government had done. During the last eight years 12 per cent, of the war debt had been paid otf, while every penny put into public works since 1919 was reproductive. Dealing with the financial position of New Zealand, the candidate stated that the value of the country’s exports had increased from £21,000,000 in 1912 to £54,000,000 in 1928. Savings Bank deposits had increased from £26,000,000 in 1924 to £47,000,000 in A Voice: Where is the money? ‘ It is your money.” .Voice: I wish it was! (Laughter.) The Reform Party was carrying out and developing much of the legislation placed on the statute books by the Seddon Government. Many people were inclined to credit Labour with some of the legislation that had been put through during the past few sessions. If it had not had the support of the Government, it would never have been passed. There was a wonderful feeling of fellowship among the employers and employees in New Zealand. This country had no time for the foreigner who came in and endeavoured to foment disruption. (Applause.) “New Zealand is fortunate in having a loyal staff of Civil servants. % Voice: So they cut their wages! (Laughter.) The Reform Government had contributed over £1,250,000 by way of subsidies to the Civil servants’ superannuation. Voice: Perhaps that is why we have so much unemployment. , Continuing, the speaker dwelt with the increased expenditure made during the past few years on education and health. Following on persistent cries of “Twelve bob a day!” from a woman in the body of the hall, backed up by other interiectors, the candidate dealt with unemployment, which he con- , tended was one of the serious problems ’ the country had to face. New Zea- ’ land’s position compared more than ’ favourably with that of most other , countries. Twelve shillings a day : was not a wage. It was merely a sustenance. If the Government paid : union rates they would have all the surplus labour of Australia over here. Loud cries of “Oh! Oh!” and > “Dickens!” * “There are hundreds of men not • worth 12s a day,” continued the candidate. “If I had my way, I w'ould [ reduce the rate of pay for single men - to 7s a day, and increase that of marL ried men to 145.” : Questions from all parts of the hall ' and outside the windows filled a lively . hour at the conclusion of the candidate’s address. He was accorded a ’ unanimous vote of thanks.