DEMOCRAT PARTY.

Wairarapa Age, 2 October 1935, Page 5

DEMOCRAT PARTY.

MR. T. C. A. HISLOP OPENS HIS CAMPAIGN. POLICY SPEECH DELIVERED IN AUCKLAND. • MANY PROPOSALS OUTLINED. AUCKLAND, October 1. The election campaign of the Democrat Party was opened before a crowded audience in the Town Hall to-night, when the party’s leader, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, made his first policy speech, expounding in detail its principles and programme. He also announced the names of nearly fifty of the candidates chosen to carry the Democrat Mr. Hislop was welcomed with loud applause as he entered the hall accompanied by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, who presided. Three cheers were given for Mr. "Hislop and Mrs Hislop was presented with bouquets. Mr. Hislop’s speech, which lasted for nearly two hours and a quarter, was punctuated with applause. Various people, mostly with Labour sympathies, scattered in the back of the hall, indulged in a good deal of humorous and occasionally pointed interjection. Mr. Hislop said his relation with Sir Alexander Herdman, whom his party would not oppose in the Parnell electorate, had always been most friendly. He felt any apparent differences of opinion between them on matters of principle would be found in the long run to be more imaginary than real. In reply to an interjector who asked: “What about the Arbitration Court?” Mr. Hislop said he had intended to.deal with the matter in a later speech. He could say, however, that his party believed in the principle of the Court and, subject to certain machinery alterations, would favour its restoration. When Air. Hislop had concluded, the foDowing motion was moved: “That this meeting of Auckland citizens, one of the largest and most representative that has been held in the city, desires to record its sincere appreciation and thanks to Mr. Hislop for his brilliant exposition of the policy of the Democrat Party. It therefore pledges him the fullest co-operation and support in his task of rehabilitating the national affairs of New Zealand.” The motion was- carried, a considerable section voting against it.—(P.A.) Mr. Hislop said his preliminary tour through the country had shown him

clear evidence of the potential strength of the Democrat Party, which was “a . live and vital force gathering strength from day to day in an onward march to victory.” He went on to declare that the unemployment position was worse now than in 1931, that people were groaning uniler a burden taxation which was unprecedented in our history and that confidence had been

shaken as never before. Sanctity of tracts, he said, had gone. The goodVBill of our greatest customer, Great FWitain, had been lost by the policy of debasing the currency—the policy of artificial exchange which had carried in its trail the sales tax. and the gold ex-, port duty. The very sources of employment were being dammed up by the policy of the Government. His party proposed to set up a National Development Council consisting of representatives of the Government, local bodies, primary, secondary, manufacturing and financial interests, which would examine and advise on proposals for the development of national, local and private enterprise. The test of every proposal would be its ability to establish permanent selfsupporting, economic work or business. Financial provisions would be made

through a national development fund. Assistance would not necessarily be given by direct advances, but help would be extended in some cases by guarantees, either of principal or interest or dividend. The essential principle was that works must become within reasonable period self-supporting. He believed there was a greater opportunity for the permanent absorption of people into work through avenues of private enterprise rather than State enterprise. J There were innumerable schemes

which could be submitted, including public works, railways, housing, af- * forestation, min# £, irrigation in the South Island, gr.ap settlement on land, and bringing back to production deteriorating farm lands. There were definite economic schemes for housing which would help to rehabilitate building industry, but his party did not intend to embark on a State housing scheme. To finance the schemes they would borrow and for the first year wquld take authority to borrow up to eight million pounds, which it was estimated would directly employ and supply with materials sixteen thousand men. At least an equal numberewbuld be employed in the supply of materials and their transport. Thus eight millions in direct payments would create work for at least thirty-two thousand •• men, probably many-more. They would not necessarily borrow the entire amount in the first yearns the sum required would be less if they financed many of the schemes by guarantee, while the result would be the same. In a comparatively short period the whole cost of the scheme would be removed from the State on to the self-support-ing work involved. He was satisfied they could in the first year put forty thousand men back to work at full normal rates of pay, make better provision for the unemployed, and also reduce taxation. . The annual Jevy of £1 would be abolished and the unemployment tax onVwages reduced from eightpence to sixpence in the pound. Portion of the latter tax would form the basis of a national health insurance scheme. If to complete entire rehabilitation through these methods a total sum over the four years of even up to 20 millions were required, it would be definitely well worth it. He believed private enterprise must be free from unfair competition by State Departments, which should be placed on the same footing l for purposes of taxation. (Continued on page S’.)

LIST OF CANDIDATES.

MR. t’ C. A. HISLOP TO CONTEST WELLINGTON SEAT, AUCKLAND, October 1. At his Town Hall meeting tonight, Mr T. C. A. Hislop announced Democrat Party candidates as follows:— Kaipara: Mr. J. Caughley, former

Director of Education. For Auckland city seats, the following have been selected, but seats have not been named: Messrs J. B. Donald former PostmasterGeneral; T. Lamont, late Mayor of Devonport; J, Govan, H. Arttar, Mrs 8. M. Milne and Mr. C. B. Dodd. Candidates for the seats specified are: Waite mate, Mr. Alan Donald; Eden, Mr. A. J. Stallworthy M.P.; Manukau, the Rev. H. Thornley; Hauraki, Mr. 8. Rickards; Auckland Suburbs, Mr. W. Clark; Thames, Mr. P. Keegan; Hamilton, Mr. H. D. Caro; Rotorua, Prof. H. H. CorMn, -late Professor of Forestry at Auckland; Bay of Plenty, Mr. H. Harker; .Napier, Mr. N. R. Jacobsen M.A.; Stratford, Mr. C. R. Finnirty; Waganui, Mr. W. A. Veitch M.P.,j former Minister for Railways; Patea; Dr. G. J Adams, former president of New Zealand Rugby Union; Raglan, Mr. J. H. (Potter; Rangitikei, Mr. W. J. Crawford; Waipawa, Mr. W. L. Barker; Manawatu, Mr. M. H. Oram; Wairarapa, Colonel T. W. McDonald; Otaki, Mr. R. W. Bothamley; Wellington South, Mr. J. I. Goldsmith; Wellington East, Mr. W. Duncan; Motueka, Mr. D. S. McGhie; Temnka, Mr. J. Cartwright; Nelson, Mr. W. B. North; Wairau, Mr. M. McKenzie; Mid-Canterbury, Mr. W. rt. Woods; Riccarton, Mr F. G. Dnnn; Christchurch East, Mr. F. C. Evans; Otago Central, 'Mr. W. A, McNanght; Chalmers, Captain Robert Fraser; Dunedin South, Mr. A. Clark; Mataura, Mr. A. T. Newman; Wallace, Mr.. W. Hinehey; Invercargill, Mr. O. J. Reed;Awarua, Mr. L. A. Neejerer; Dunedin North, Mrs R. STBlack; Franklin, Mr. B. C. Fyers; Marsden, Mr. R. Johns; Tauranga, Mr. C. T. McFarlane. The seat which; Mr. TL C. A. Hislop will contest will be a Wellington seat not yet announced. The, statement announcing the candidates says: ‘‘We have chosen candidates for the .four Maori seatsanfl in addition to these names- there are twelve ieats where we, haVe two or mote -candidates offering. Selections are now being made. In addition we will support Mr. H. M. Rushworth M.P., Bay of Islands; Mr. A. Mansford, Mayor of Palmerston North; and Mr. W. D. Lysnar, Gisborne. We will not oppose Mr. R. A. Wright. M.P., Wellington Suburbs, Mr. McLachlan, Kaiapoi, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart M.P., Dunedin, of Sir Alexander Herdman, Parnell. This accounts for 70 seats.;:.Within the next fortnight, we will have the full 80 seats, accounted for arid will be the strongest party numerically going to the polls.”—(P.A.)

Regarding the question of the exchange, the policy of the Democrat Party was to bring the rate of exchange to its true economic relationship with sterling, calling into consultation the Reserve Bank and the trading banks. They intended, as the exchange fell, to pay to the individual farmer an export subsidy on his produce which would give him rather more than the present exchange. A special fund would be set up for this purpose from resources made available from the reduction in the exchange rate. No assistance would be given to the big farmer or to the man who was in no need of assistance from the State. On the question of mortgage adjustment he stood definitely for sanctity of contract. The Democrat Party intended to repeal those provisions of the Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Act which involved a deliberate breach of contract and -confiscation of property, and on the other hand the humiliation of farmers under the provisions of a “stay order” budget, together with loss of his equity. He suggested that the concealed purpose of the Mortgage Corporation- was to act as receiver for the State Advances Department and other lending Departments. The business could be done without the unjustifiable overhead expenditure of the Mortgage Corporation. It was a definite plank of his party that manufacturing and other industries which could be developed on sound economic principles should have the fullest support. They should rid themselves of the idea that New Zealand was to be only a farm for the Old Country. As far as tariffs were concerned they would follow the letter and spirit of the Ottawa Agreement and give preference to British and Empire products subject only to the adequate protection of sound local industry. The party would restore civil service salary cuts in full, leaving none out of that restoration. He gave a definite pledge that they would fulfil to the letter the contract which the State made with its" superannuated public servants and restore the fund to complete financial stability. They would also ensure without delay regrading of the Civil Service. The day they became the Government of the country the Main Highways Fund would be devoted entirely to the maintenance and development of highways. Amongst other things, Mr. Hislop advocated the observance of treaty obligations to the Maoris, national health and superannuation pensions, increased war pensions, unified control of the education system in each district, readmission of the five-year-olds, increased salaries for teachers, a reduction in the number of members of Parliament, abolition of the sales tax and gold export tax, and a ten per cent, reduction in the income tax.