THE COMING SESSION.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17133, 21 June 1927, Page 4

THE COMING SESSION.

MR HOCKLY, M.P., AT TE POI. ENTERTAINED BY SUPPORTERS. Mr F? F. Ilockly, M.P., member for the district, . was entertained by his supporters and others at a social in the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, Te Poi. Mr Ilockly was welcomed by .Mr A. M. A. Wright, ,T.P., who in opening the proceedings congratulated him on being appointed Lo the high office of Chairman of Committees, which was a compliment to the member anil his constituents. Mr Ilockly, who was received with applause, thanked, the chairman for his appreciative remarks. This was the first time that he had given a political address aL a social evening, and he thought that it was an admirable arrangement. lie was always pleased to come to Te Poi, as in no other district had he polled sucli a large majority of votes. The Farmers’ Position. Dealing with the position of farmers, Mr Ilockly stated that right from one end of the Dominion to the other the farming industry was under a cloud. Ninety per cent, of farmers were struggling to keep their heads above water. This was not the position before the war, when prices were practically the same. The farmers were working as hard as possible, and doing il willingly.. The speaker objected to a statement by a Cabinet Minister that farmers were going in 100 much for luxuries, and said that the farmers’ position was an extremely difficult one. Charges had gone up cn every hand. The problem must be faced by the community at large, as to how these charges can be reduced. For instance, merchants and auctioneers could examine their costs and reduce their charges. The farmer is the only section of the community that cannot pass on the increased charges. The cost of living must be reduced, and will be if all sections of the community, as far as they are able, endeavour to cut down their charges. The Dairying Industry. Referring to the dairying industry, the speaker said that it bad received a heavy knock this year. Control * has blown out and has proved a. failure. Personally, he was in favour of the principle, and regretted that it hail failed. It was against all preconceived ideas for a Government Lo take anything out of the public's band and sell it. That was a feature of the question which the speaker did not Like. The main reason of the establishment of the Control Board was the large amount of speculation going or in dairy produce. To stop this the speaker supported control. The failure was due Lo the tactics of the Control Board, who as Mr Downie Stewart said, had tried to do in six months what should have taken six years. There has been an endeavour to make political capital out the board’s failure, but it must be remembered that the measure was brought down at the request of the farmer's themselves. It was said that Mr Coates was to blame, but the fact was that it was a mistake lo try price-fixing, and Air Coates

when at Home found that a tremendous disaster was imminent. He was supported by Sir James Allen and Sir Thomas MacKenzie, who said the same thing, yet Mr Coates was blamed. Mr Coates, did not broadcast his view; it was sent through the proper channels to the Control Board, and it was the fault of a man named Timpany that it was divulged. Mr Ilockly quoted Mr lorus’ remarks in support of Mr Coates’ services, and emphasised the fact that a rank injustice had been done to the Prime Minister by those who did not understand the position. Regarding the future the Board has still many functions to perform, including attention to freights, insurance, shipping, etc. He could not say what the Board’s policy would be, but its action in connection with the large funds it held would be carefully watched. Arbitration Court. Mr Ilockly also traversed the history of the Arbitration Court, which was followed after its inception by 10 years’ industrial peace. He believed the Court had done much good, especially in improving the conditions of work, but in his opinion the time lias come for a review of the position. Searching enquiries should he made as to whether the Arbitration Court could not be superseded by a sort of round-table conference. Farmers’ Finance. On the question of finance for farmers, Mr ilockly said that this was another of the farmers’ troubles. Broad acres were not a popular form of investment to-day. It was impossible for the Government to tind all the money. The Stale advances had lent £115,540,000, and there were applications in liie office to-day lor £2.000,000. Financiers in England were not in favour of lending money for settlers, but were willing to lend for works. Remarking on the increase in the bank-rate, the speaker said that it was deplorable, and in his opinion should not have been done. At a time like the present another half per rent, is a burden that should not have been put on. to conelusion, Mr Ilockly said that he could not tell bis hearers very much about the coming session, but lie thought that some of the legislation would deal with alterations to the tariff, licensing, unemployment, daylight saving and Bible-in-Sohools. During the evening, Messrs Little and Williamson contributed vocal items, and Mr Goodwin gave a recitation. Music for dancing was provided by Mrs Taylor, Mrs Cobliam and Miss Hill. The evening concluded with a hearty vote of thanks to Air ilockly for his attendance and mloroslLug address. _ji