ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19441, 29 October 1925, Page 11

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

WORK OF THE CANDIDATES the wangahui contest .MB VEITCH AT GONVILLE. Mr W. A. Veitch addressed a good attendance of electors at Gonville last evening, Mr J. Morrison presiding. In •.he coursd of his remarks he criticised sextain observations made by the Prime Minister. He was accorded a sympathetic hearing. The speaker declared that there had been more government in bii.sinexs during the last few years of Reform administration than there would have been probably if they had had a Labour Government. Dealing with education, he referred to the remark made by the Prime Minister to the effect that the Reform Party favoured free, secular and compulsory education, and sai l that when a Bill in this connection was before the House the Reform Party opposed it. However, he gave the Prime Minister credit for voting in favour cf the issue. What did the Prime Minister demand! he asked. He said by reason of his administration of the railways he was entitled to the confidence of the people, and also that it was seatial to send to Parliament men pledged to a strong national party and him self as Prime Minister. The gentleman who made that statement had the great est opportunity thrown in his way tn form a strong and stable Government only during last session, and yet he re jeeted it definitely. Mr Veitch went on to trace the fusion negotiations in *n endeavour to prove that it was no fault of the Liberal Party that fusion was not brought about. The National Party promised the electors that if it got •* majority at the elections it would set up a National Government. In referring to railway administration, Mr Veitch declared that the reInying of the track was 650 miles behind. The figures quoted by the Prime Minister showed a profit, but if maintenance was not carried cut a profit must be shown. It was his opinion that, “tntil the relaying cf the track was completed, the speed of the trains should re slackened. Mr Veitch maintained that there was a vast difference between the policy i> sued by the National Party and that which was now being expounded by the Prime Minister. The National Party promised to do things, whereas the Reform Party oji’iy promised to investigate them. Dr. Porritt asked if it was not a fact ♦hat Parliament had failed to function because the Government had not had a strong enough majority! Mr Veitch said that that was undoubtedlly the case to a large extent. That was the very thought he was try--o put into the minds of his auliesee. The Reform Party had had r.n jppcrfsu i:y put the matter right, but had failed to do it.

Another elector asked why the National Party had dropped the question of proportional representation. Mr Veitch said his party had not abandoned proportional representation, and as far as he was concerned ho stood for it. Questioned concerning the cost of living, the candidate said that in his judgment the members of the Civil Service should have the reduction in wages re-1 stored to them. The cost of living figures proved that clearly. In reply to a further question, Mr Veitch said that had he been Minister for Lands he would have looked at the land, in the Urewera country before he had bought it. At the conclusion of his address the speaker was accorded a vote of thanks at the suggestion of Mr C. H. Burnett. MB ROGERS’ MEETINGS. Mr W. J. Rogers, Labour candidate, addressed a well attended meeting at ; the railway locomotive running sheds I during the luncheon hour yesterday, and was accoorded a unanimous vote of | thanks and confidence. Mr Rogers will address the electors as follows, each meeting being at 8 o'clock, unless otherwise stated:—To- • night, Gonville; to-morrow, Imlay Freezing Works (luncheon hour); Sat-| urday, Upper Aramoho; Monday, Opera ( Hoouse; Tuesday, open-air rally at j Maria Place. Mr Rogers will address a meeting of ■ ladies in the Labour Party’s rooms,: Maria Place, to-morrow at 3 p.m. RANGITIKEI j

MB GLENN'S CAMPAIGN. Mr W. S. Glenn, Reform candidate for Rangitikei, addressed a well-attend-ed meeting in the Mt. View School last i cv».uing, Air A. S. Coleman presiding. The candidate was in good form, and delivered a most impressive address. His staunch support for the Prime Minister and the Government found strong favour with his audience. At the conclusion of the address a! vote of confidence in the present Gov-! eminent was carried without dissent. ! Mr Glenn will address the electors in the Marton Town Hall to-night. The Mayor, Mr F. Purnell, will preside. ME LYONS’ PLANS. Mr A. Lyon, Nationalist candidate, will address the electors as follows: Monday, Wanganui East, 8 p.m.; Tues- . \‘. t ' p.=, luib’h- i con hour; Marton Town Hall, 8 o’clock. TG-MGHT’S PROGRAMME Candidates’ arrangements for to-1 night are as follows, each meeting b?-‘ ikg at 8 o'clock unless otherwise stated: Mr John Coull, Upper Aramoho Hail. Mr W. S. Glenn, Marton Town Hall. Mr G. Dickie, Brunswick. Mr W. J. Rogers, Gonville. Mr A. Lyon, FordelL Mr Gordon Eliott, Hunterville.