NO VOTE-CATCHING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 510, 13 November 1928, Page 22

NO VOTE-CATCHING

UNITED CHARGE ANSWERED MR. P. B. FITZHERBERT EXPLAINS A reply to the United Party candidate’s attack on the Reform Party, charging the Government with bribery and corruption regarding votecatching, was made by Mr. P. B. Fitzherbert. the Reform candidate for Grey Lynn, at the Grey Lynn Library last evening. Throughout the evening a feminine voice made itself heard in apt and amusing interjections, but the candidate received a good hearing during his address. Mr. A. A. Piesse presided. The candidate gave his views on the Morningside railway, and said the United eandiate’s allegations were nonsensical. He also dealt with rises in wages in the Civil Service. Regarding Motuihi. Mr. Fitzherbert said the island was second only to Kawau. Up till the present time it had been a quarantine station. About 18 months ago the Auckland City Council entered into negotiations with the Government for the island, and the Government had been considering it. At his meeting in the Town Hall Mr. Coates, in giving an account of his stewardship, announced that the island was to be a marine park. This announcement was against the people in other seaside resorts, who hoped to sell sections, and was more likely to lose votes than catch them. The candidate contended that there was no foundation in the charges. Mr. Fitzherbert went on to eulogise his opponents in the electorate, but attacked Sir Joseph Ward’s borrowing proposal. The candidate quoted extracts from Sir Joseph Ward’s Parliamentary speeches in which the United leader condemned borrowing. The candidate condemned the bond system of borrowing. Regarding defence, the candidate said he was in favour of cutting down as far as possible territorial training, contending that boys learned discipline in the schools. However, air defence was an important factor, and 10 centres were needed. With a fleet of 500 fighting planes, with the necessary ammunition, an enemy could not attack the Dominion with any degree of success. The Government should do its utmost to discover oil, as petrol was going to become very important in defence. Prohibition was not favoured bthe candidate, who said he always voted State Control as a protest against the brewers, who did not supply those who drank with what they were entitled to. A number of questions were answered, and a vote of thanks was passed.