THE INVERCARGILL SEAT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18635, 2 August 1930, Page 8

THE INVERCARGILL SEAT.

ONLY TWO CANDIDATES. By Telegraph—Pres« Association INVERCARGILL, This Day. The nomil,alums for the Invercargill seat closed at noon. Only two were received: — Vincent Ward (United). James Hargest (Reform). Mr William Hinchey, Independent Fusionist, withdrew at the last moment.

THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. BOTH CANDIDATES ADDRESS ELECTORS. xsy , ,iph—Press Association. INVERCARGILL, August 1. Mr Vincent Ward opened the campaign in United interests in the Invercargill 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 late father’s wish that he should fulfil Sir Joseph’s obligations for the rest of the present term. Traversing railway difficulties, the candidate said that losses during the last 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 £1,600,000, but which would actually cost. 2i millions. It was considered by various authorities that an expenditure of £200,000 would have provided all that was required. As it was, there was sufficient plant and equipment for the whole of New Zealand and the Commonwealth of Australia as well. Unemployment was a serious problem facing the Government. and last year 15 millions had been spent In providing relief w'ork. The Government had investigated the position carefully, and at present a Bill was 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 Government 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. 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 their properties into good homes. In 1912, said Mr Ward, the National Debt 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 100 millions for ordinary purposes, excluding 70 millions it cost the country for the war. When Sir Joseph Ward left the National Government in 1918, he left a surplus of 15 millions, with the idea that It should be applied to repaying 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 taxation, 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 in 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 business like 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 a safe and sound Government the position would be materially improved and the country set on to the road to prosperity. The candidate hoped the United Government would be allowed to carry on for a number of years, as it was anxious to do everything possible for the people according to the Liberal principle to do the greatest good for the greatest number. The candidate was accorded votes of confidence at both centres.

MR HARGEST ’8 ADDRESS. PETROL AND UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEMES. By Telegraph—Press Association INVERCARGILL. August 1. Mr James Hargest, the Reform candidate, addressed a well-attended meeting In the Civic Theatre. Mr Hargest referred to the record of the Reform Party, and said its eclipse in the 1928 election was due to its refusal to lead the country away in a wild orgy of spending and speculation. Mr Hargest said that since the United Party took office, it had borrowed about sixteen millions, the major portion of it in this country, instead of bringing cheap money in. It had gone to the Post Office, where money was lying at four per cent. It had paid 55 per cent foe it over the counter in every Post Office in New Zealand, and it had lent this money out, not at 43 per cent, but at 65, with one per cent sinking fund added. Referring to taxation the speaker said that to get money to carry on the country's affairs, the Government proposed going in for an orgy of taxation. He pointed out that the Customs tax was increased during the last two years by nearly one million pounds. Mr Forbes admitted that this year he was going out to get somewhere about £BOO,OOO additional from Customs, and that from a party which was to reduce and eventually abolish Customs taxation. Taxation was inevitable, and the people of the country would accept It, provided they felt that economies were being effected. After referring to the feeling throughout the country against the proposed increase in the petrol tax, the candidate said: "I think the time has come when the country should take over the handling of supplies of petrol. Nearly everything brought to our doors is brought by means of the consumption of petrol gas, and it is a dreadful reflection on the business ability of the people of this country that we are entirely in the hands of there or four companies who charge us what they will. I have a suggestion to make, that the Railway Department import the supplies necessary for the Dominion, and that a fair tax be imposed against private importers. The Rail[\vay Department could soli in bulk to

distributors, who in their turn would put it into bowsers. Instead of an exorbitant profit to overseas firms, the country would get what profit there is. Instead of half-a-dozen waggons rushing round supplying petrol of various brands, one or two lorries could do the work. It would make no difference to the vendors of petrol. They get little enough out of it now. Its effect would be undoubtedly to give them greater prosperity, a reasonable profit, and greater consumption of petrol; and it would help the Railway Department in finding work for its staff.” The speaker put forward two schemes for the assistance of unemployed. He called one, for want of a better name, a “Farm Betterment Scheme.” He suggested that a body like the Land Board should undertake the work of supervising the betterment of farms in Southland. If a man in the country wished to carry out, say, draining, bush-felling, or fencing, he should be able to go to a body like the Land Board and put a proposition before them. If he found the materials the Board could then sent its ranger out to inspect the work, and if he approved of it authorise the advance of a loan purely for labour. This loan could be made at 5 per cent, repayable over say ten years. It would mean that the country was being developed, and that the unemployed would find employment at standard wages on productive work. It would be essential that this work be carried out in the off season, when unemployment was rife. Another scheme he suggested was that all the provinces of New Zealand, public works should be undertaken with the idea of developing waste lands. Mr Hargest said he stood for sane Government, w T ith no special favours to any class of the community; development works of a productive nature to relieve unemployment; current wages on these developmental works; a graduated poll tax; and integrity in Government. The candidate was accorded a vote of confidence.