LIBERAL PARTY PRINCIPLE

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1930, Page 11

LIBERAL PARTY PRINCIPLE

MR. VINCENT WARD’S APPEAL

RAILWAYS AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

FINANCE DIFFICULTIES REVIEWED

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Invercargill, Last Night. Mr. Vincent Ward, son of Sir Joseph Ward, opened his campaign in the United Party’s interests in the Invereargill by-election to-night. Addressing two meetings on the outskirts of the electorate he said he did not seek a sympathy vote but regretted the cause of his facing the electors as much as anyone else. It had been his father’s wish he should fulfil Sir Joseph’s obligation for the rest of the present term, Mr. Ward said. Traversing the railway difficulties, the candidate said the losses during the past five years had exhausted the reserves and last year the Government had found it necessary to advance £150,000. This year, a loss, of £1,200,000 • .was anticipated and it had been decided to reduce expenses by cutting services which would save £360,000, while £90,000 would be produced by increased rates. The past Government had committed itself to the erection of four large railway workshops estimated to cost .£1,600OGO, but which would actually cost £2,250,000. . It was considered by various authorities that the expenditure .of £200,000 would have.,provided 'all that was ;required. As 'it w.as, ; th,ere was sufficient plant and equipment ;fpr Die whole of New Zealand .and. the. Commonwealth of Australia , as. w.ell, Unemployment was A serious problem facing ,the Government and last year £1,500,05) had, been spent • In. providing. relief works.- The Government : had investigated the, position cp.ref.ully ; and at present a Bill before the House aimed at placing a tax on .males in. order that a fund to provide.,a., sustenance allowance might be established. A great, deal had been done, by the United Gov? ernment since it came into-. office to assist settlers and workers. Reform had practically ceased operations in State advances; since the present Government had come into office 8756 applications for financial assistance had been dealt with and loans of £8,930,000 ■had been granted. BOLD LAND POLICY. The Government had met the requirements of the country with a bold land policy; providing- land for settlement on terms which would enable settlers to, develop the properties into good homes. In 1912, said Mr. Ward, the nationaldebt , had amounted to £84,000,000; to-, day this had increased to £267,383,343,; which meant that during 16 years the: Reform Government had borrowed £lOO,000,000 for ordinary purposes, excluding, the £70,000,000 the "war cost the .country. When Sir Joseph Ward had left the National Government in 1918 he. left a .surplus of : £15,000,000 with the, idea that it should, .be applied to the repaying of the war debt. Instead the; Reform Government had spent £13,500,000 in the purchase of land for soldier, settlement. Mr. Ward said he regretted that the: Government had instituted new taxa-, tion, but this had been necessary in order to run the country. The United Government had experienced a deficit left by Reform in the first year of office. Prior to this, surpluses had been experienced every year, The United Government had been unfortunate in meeting difficult times but it was tackling its problems in a -businesslike manner. Mr. Ward said the United Party admitted it was a minority Government and was not seeking popularity, but it was anxious to make the country’s condition sound and prosperous. Bad times were being experienced all over the world and New Zealand was suffering from.an adverse trade balance, but with safe and sound Government the position; would be materially improved and the: country would, go on to prosperity.. Mr, Ward hoped the. .United; Govern-, ment would bo allowed to carry on for-, a number of years, as it:.was anxious to: do everything possible .ifoi*. the people according to the Liberal -principle to do: the greatest good for the greatest num-: ber. /, • •; :> -•-. v. ’ ■■ ■- ?■

The candidate was-'accorded votee of confidence at both centre^ia. ■ .