FURTHER CRITICISM

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 272, 22 November 1935, Page 2

FURTHER CRITICISM

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SIR A. HERDMAN’S VIEWS Further criticism of the National Government was made by the Hon. Sir Alexander Herdman, Independent candidate fdr Parnell, addressing a largely attended meeting in Parnell. Sir Alexander described the manifesto of the National Government as a

“remarkable document,” and said it was without pniecedentl for blatant egotism. He pointed out that it particularly eulogised Mr Forbes and Mr Coates, but it was his opinion that; self-praise was no recommendation. New Zealand had surmounted difficult times in the past, but there was now a tendency to lean on the Government. Sir Alexander criticised tffie extravagance shown J>y the Government before the degression, and also the administration of the Native Affairs Department. There could also be no question about the failure of the Governmeinit to carry on a moneylending business in the State AdvancesDepartment, and it was his viiew that the Mortgage Corporation had come into existence to screen the losses of the department. There had been other legislation which Fad stagnated the country and stifled investthnents, while •the 25 per cent exchange rate was a breach of the contract made at Ottawa. Britain had then made handsome concessions, but those made by New Zealand were not comparable. i Continuing, the speaker said a sound 1 way to siettle the unemployment prob- [ lem would be to stimulate enterlpri.se I and investment. He was opposed to the ’ alpparent movemlent to suppress the B j Tadliio stations, and he could not see i why sponsored programmes should not i be permitted. Regarding the future of the Dominion, it was his view that Mr Coates was a constitutional Socialist, but it was his belief that the Government waS doomed. A vote of confidence in the candidate was carried, a small number disWnting.