POINTS IN POLITICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19800, 18 November 1919, Page 8

POINTS IN POLITICS.

— ; * EXTRACTS FROM SPEECHES OF CANDIDATES. What was wanted in this country was a sound, prudent, liberal and economic policy. If the Reform Party was returned to power, the people would pet such a policy and one which would make for a happier and contented people.—Mr G. Hunter, Reform candidate for Waipawa. Mr AV. H. Field, the Reform candidate for Otaki, said that neither party would bo content- to stay in power with the assistance of the Labour Party. Should neither the Liberal nor the Reform Party gain an absolute majority, them would be a- fusion of the taro parties with a view to forming iv Government. This, he held, would be considered a very happy consequence by all who deplored the present division, which only opened the way to extremism . 4 * The House of Representatives had not represented the people for several years- It had been a telescopic chamber —the members bad drawn themselves out till they hold office for live years. The only members who actually represented the people were those who had been elected at recent by-elections—-himself, Mr Nash, of Palmerston North. Mr Bcmpie, and so on. There was little difference between tho two main political parties. Tho Liberals and the Tories had sat for years together on the Treasury benches and fights between them in many respects were merely a sham tight. Liberals and Tories were uniting throughout the country against Labour, and Labour welcomed this. —Mr Fraser, Labour candidate for Wellington Central. 4 i ft He had never encouraged farmers to arm and shoot down workers. He had said farmers had a right to arm themselves in defence of their rights. He would say it again on a thousand platforms. that they had to defend themselves against Bolshevism, in case of an attempt to seize tho Government of the country. —Mr W. 11. Field, Reform candidate’ for Otaki, speaking at Upper Hutt. Mr R. B. Ross, Liberal candidate for Pahintna, speaking at Dannovirke, urged that men should be returned to Parliament who would face the new position, Just as it was faced by John M’Keilzie in 1892. when he provided for tho compulsory acquisition for close settlement of large estates on equitable terms. Tho tinkering now going on must give way to a definite and vigorous policy of freeing tho land to the people, and the rob” making increased production practicable. How was the increased National Debt ami expenditure to ho met? Was itthrough Labour, with its reduced production through its “ go slow ” methods and use of the strike weapon? Or was it throng the old Conservative Party called Reform, tho natural allies of tho profiteers, the speculator and land monopolist? Or was it through the Liberal Party, with its magnificent record and magnificent history and advanced legislation.—Mr 11. B. Boss, Liberal candidate for Pabiatua. ft * ft The Labour Party stood for a citizen army on a voluntary basis, with standard wages while on duty. The defence policy of a nation must be based on its foreign policy. If it were interested in foreign lands it would require an army for offensive purposes. The Labour Party helie\ - ed in concerning itself more with preparations for peace rather than war. Preparations for war meant war.—Mr M. J. Savage, Labour candidate for Auckland “West. •» * Tho Government of the future must bo liberal in the cause of education. He believed education should. lie absolutely free from the primary school to the university. He was talking of all State schools. The worker’s child should have equal chances with those of bet-ter-off people- 'The laws of the country were all right. What they wanted was young, fearless men as members of Parliament. They should also pay well enough to secure thoroughly proficient teachers. Many of tho schools of tho north wore a disgrace to the country. Why should a country child have school in a cowshed? —Mr V. H. Potter, Reform candidate for Roskill. Tho land was the natural heritage of the people, and any infringement of that right through the sale of Grown lands threatens tho very birthright of the people. Tho holding of national endowment—that was that there should lie no further sales of Grown lands, but that they should be secured for the people. Tim land belonged to the people. God gave it to the. people, and no individual ns such had any right to it. Provision could he made for compensation by taking the present values of the land and paying an equivalent sum to the owners The land, lie urged, should belong to the Government, and administered by them for the people.—Mr G. Davis, Labour candidate for Roskill. ft A Mr Massey and Kir Joseph Ward had described Labour’s party as extremists, but the real extremists in this country politically wen' the Massev and Ward parties combined, who during tho past five years, according to their own statements, had done nothing but enrich the squatter and profiteer” ing classes, while they consistently declared that Labour was not doing its duty. Labour had established its patriotism to thy best interests of Now Zealand, despite the sneers and taunts of cries of “ Bolsheviks and extremists" by Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Massey.— Mr R-. F. Way, Labour candidate for Auckland East. He would not commit, himself to any party at present. He would do so later. If elected, his first action would be to ask for a return of landowners and their income tax. This would show whether right returns were being given or not, ami it would also get at any individuals deserving of no consideration whatever. To tbo speaker, the only tenure that appealed was tho freehold.—Mr H. M. Campbell, at Hastings. Ho urged the necessity of the Slate taking a hand in t-hs carnage of the country’s products to the markets of the world. The State was the only thing that could successfully cope with tho wealthy and powerful companies owning the ships, and such interference on the part of the Government would givo greater security than is the ease under present conditions.-—Mr A. E, .hill, Liberal candidate for Waipawa. Labour's laud policy would include a revaluation of all land. That would remain as a record of the present holders' interest in laud- It would provide for the present holder being able to transfer his interest if he wished to the State at that valuation. The holder would get tho values he created, and the community would get the values tho community created.—Mr M JSavage, Labour candidate for Auckland West. Tho worker was Justified in demanning a rood living wage and suitable euviroaments. Both Capital and Labour were necessary lor the progress of a country. They must have Just constitutional laws and abide by them. Ho advocated introducing profit-sharing in business. It would he a gain to both employer ami employee. A provident fend =hould al-n he established between Ibe employer and employee, ami be -nh-‘-•i'lL"! bv the Government. Th' 1 " would (bus he ‘ lire of provision for old age.-Mr V, 11 Butter, Before) vanddale for 80-kill.