WAITAKI ELECTORATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20259, 7 November 1935, Page 5

WAITAKI ELECTORATE

HON. J. BITCHENER AT FAIRLIE The Hon. J. Bitchener, Minister of Public Works, continued his campaign last night when he addressed electors at Kimbell and later at Fairlie, where there was an attendance of more than 100. The meeting was presided over by Mr C. J. Talbot, who introduced the Minister. In doing so he said that there was no need for him to introduce Mr Bitchener as a candidate, for he had represented the district for some time. That night was the first time they had had an opportunity of welcoming him as Minister of Public Works, and he offered to Mr Bitchener his own and the district’s congratulations on having been elevated to such a high office. Mr Bitchener acknowledged the chairman’s welcome, and said that many of the attributes which the chairman had credited him with had been due to the fine example set by the chairman’s father, of whom he had been a close student. The speaker went on to say that he did not propose to keep the audience there for perhaps two hours listening to the whole of the Government’s policy. It was a policy, however, which he thought would appeal to a majority of the people of the Dominion, and if it did not. then he did not know what they wanted, and probably they did not know themselves. He referred to the fact that the Government had had to cut down salaries and wages and expenses in every way, because it had been found that the country had been living beyond its income. The gap was not bridged even then, so taxation was resorted to, and even reserves were brought in to rectify the situation. The next step was to raise the exchange, and while it did not bring more money into the country, it brought more into circulation internally. The Labour Party- argued that the raising of the exchange had not benefited the farmer, but it had given the dairy farmer an extra ltd for his butter, and those who sent their lambs to England received an extra 4/- a head. The raising of the exchange did affect sterling, but it did give the farmer a better return. The speaker emphasised the value of trade agreements, and reviewed the negotiations leading up to the recent meat agreements. It had been asked why the High Commissioner in England could not have carried out the negotiations instead of sending a costly delegation, but he was not a member of the New Zealand Cabinet, who alone could discuss the situation. Anyhow, if another £1,250,000 could be saved by sending another delegation, even at the cost of a few thousand pounds, he would send it, for it was good business. The speaker was, on the motion of Mr E. Macdonald, seconded by Mr D. C. Kidd, accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

MR THOMAS’ CAMPAIGN Last night at Levels and Rosewill Mr W. Thomas, National Independent candidate continued his campaign speaking on the lines of his * Timaru address and dwelling on items of especial interest to the farming community. The meetings were well attended and both at Levels, where Mr W. Parlave presided, and at Rosewill, where the chairman was Mr C. M. Beckingsale, Mr Thomas received an enthusiastic hearing. Votes of thanks moved and seconded by Mr W. Woolcombe and Mr W E. Cadwallader at Levels, and by Mr W. J. Bassett and Mr Norman Bailey at Rosewill, were passed.

REV. CLYDE CARR’S CAMPAIGN A gathering of 25 met the Rev. Clyde Carr, Labour candidate for the Timaru seat, at Washdyke last night. Mr T. Atherton was in the chair. On similar lines to previous addresses, the candidate referred to the gambling in land brought about by the Reform Government’s policy in 1912, and criticised the Government’s 10 acre and Soldier Settlement Schemes. He deprecated the raising of the exchange rate, and spoke at length on the Reserve Bank, which he said, was just a link in the chain of Reserve Banks throughout the world. He mentioned the Queensland Labour Government’s success, and said that the banking policy of Mr Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, was similar to that of Labour. The candidate outlined other planks in Labour’s political platform, including guaranteed prices, higher wages and earlier retirements on superannuation. Mr Carr answered a number of questions, and on the motion of Mr J. Kellahan, seconded by Mr Mahoney, was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

MASTERTON By Telegraph Press Association MASTERTON, November 6. Mr J. Robertson, Labour candidate for Masterton, opened his campaign locally to-night, when he addressed the electors of Kiripuni. He claimed that the Reform Party’s Land policy opened the way to the disaster that

overcame the country when overseas prices fell, and in advocating the monetary policy of his Party, he stated that three-fifths of the total primary production of England was consumed internally. He denied a rumour that he intended to withdraw. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was carried.

COMING ELECTION CANDIDATES’ MEETINGS In furtherance of his campaign, the Rev. Clyde Carr will speak to-night In the Kerrytown Convent School. Mr W. Thomas will speak In the Pareora Hall. Mr T. D. Burnett is to give an address to-night in the Lower Waitohi Hall. Mr T. H. Langford will speak at the Orari Gorge Hall at 7 o’clock to-night and at Woodbury Hall at 8.30. Mr D. Barnes is to address electors in the Hanneton Hall to-night. Unless otherwise stated, all meetings commence at 8 o’clock.