MR. O’KEEFFE HAS LARGE MEETING IN GLASGOW ST; VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 November 1949, Page 7

MR. O’KEEFFE HAS LARGE MEETING IN GLASGOW ST; VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

A well-attended meeting was addressed by the National Party condidate for Wanganui, Mr E. V. O'Keeffe, in the Glasgow Street Hall. The hall was tilled to Capacity and the speaker was given a most attentive hearing, at the end ol which a vote of confidence in Mr O'Keeffe and the party was carried unanimously. Mr G. Langslow presided. The speaker referred to the cost of living and the influence upon that of taxation. He elaborated on statements made by the present Prime Minister (Mr Fraser; and the present member for Roskill 'Mr F. Langstone) when they referred to the sales tax being iniquitous when it was imposed, at a rate of 5 per cent.,, to help the unemployed. Now sales tax was up to 20 per cent. In regard to housing, Mr O'Keeffe said that private enterprise had definitely built more houses than the State. The State alone could not build enough for the requirements of New Zealand. The National Party, said Mr O'Keeffe, would encourage people to own their own homes, and would assist people to own them by means of liberal, easy term loans. Social security had come to stay, said Mr O’Keeffe, and the National Party would not reduce the benefits. “If I am elected I will do my best for Wanganui,” said the candidate. "During recesses i will undertake to meet the electors and will let Parliament know that Wanganui has a member who is alive. QUESTIONS ANSWERED At the conclusion ot his address questions were answered by Mr O’Keeffe as follows: - Are you in favour of capital punishment? That is a very contentious matter. The National Party has stated in its policy that it will have a free vote in the House on the question of the restoration of capital punishment. Did you read the letter in the “Herald” (written by Mr W. McKean, Fordell), on the proposed alteration by the National Party ol the valuation basis of land for rehabilitation? People are saying that farmers will not give up their land because of the National Party intention to amend the Land Sales Act.—l read the letter hurriedly. It is the intention of the National Party gradua.ly to taper off the Land Sales Act after all tire soldiers have been settled. The party feels that it is not fair to ask a farmer to sell at 1942 valuation and then come into town to live at 1949 prices. I do not know whether or not the scheme for purchasing farm properties at 1949 valuation will apply to civilians, but I will find out. My knowledge of farming matters is slight. § , If the National Party abolished the Land sales Court, who would value the land? Would prices then be what the vendor asked?—The Government valuation of property will remain. There will be no racketeer"what would you do about the 40hour week?—l am surprised at that question being asked. The National Party has no intention of doing away with the 40-hour week. The party opposed the 40-hour week during the war when Britain was crying out for help. (Applause.) You stated that private enterprise is building more houses than the State. Is it not a fact that private enterprise is being subsidised by the State?—lt is true that many returned servicemen have obtained housing loans. But figures provided by the Government Statistician show that private enterprise is building more houses than the State. Is the age benefit today lower m value than it was in 1936,—The age benefit today is worth 29s 6d compared with 30s in 1936. Today the purchasing power of the pound is 11 s B'l. . , . Would a reduction m sales tax be sufficient to increase the purchasing power of present-day wages.—That is only one method which we are going to explore. Production must be increased to make out money worth more.