“ONLY FINANCIER”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 510, 13 November 1928, Page 15

“ONLY FINANCIER”

UNITED PARTY LEADER EXTOLLED “GRAMOPHONE GOVERNMENT” Press Association PALMERSTON N., Monday. The Uniteds have a policy for “God’s Own Country,” which at present has a “Devil’s, Administration.” The Uniteds are a live body with a leader who is the only financier in New Zealand. Thus, Mr. R. Masters, chairman of the United Party, described the pollcal situation when addresing the electors of Palmerston here this evening. He was accorded a splendid hearing. Criticising the Reform policy, Mr. Masters asked the audience to point out one constructive item in it. It was a polcy which looked very well on paper, but it was not much more than bones and water. Reform had been returned for, 17. years on a minority vote. The Uniteds were out to enact proportional voting, which would be the first thing attended to on their return to power. The speaker emphasised ‘ that the £70,000,000 loan proposed was not for land settlement, but for the advancement of farmers to remove the short-dated mortgages which necessitated high interest and constant renewals. The policy had been, described as “borrow, boom and hurst,” hut the only bursting to be done was by Reform on 'Wednesday. Mr. Coates had not fulfilled his promise to place taxation on the shoulders of those best able to bear it. The speaker condemned the high superannuation agreement with Mr. H. H. Sterling, which would mean that the general manager of railways would get £91,500 in superannuation if he lived to 75. A iready £305,000 had been taken from the Consolidated Fund to square the superannuation fund and £400.000 .was still needed. The Uniteds proposed to close up unprofitable branch lines. Mr. Masters condemned the proposed TaupoRotoi’ua line as unprofitable. Who were those who criticised Sir Joseph Ward’s proposals? asked Mr. Masters. Not financiers, but chiefly editors, half of whom couldn’t finance their way out of a sugar ftag. The speaker claimed that the duty bn Australian flour was only imposed so that South Island Reformers could keep their seats. It appeared as if the people were being treated as chattels. There were unintelligent people who could be bought with their own money throughout the Dominion. There was much dissatisfaction with the Reform Government and people wanted a change. Was rt a farmers’ Government that imposed a duty on implements, taking it off gi-ama-phbnes? They, wore a gnunaphbiio government with rotten records. . The meeting concluded with a motion of confidence in the Party,,and cheers. ' -• - 1