DOMINION POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18342, 30 May 1931, Page 3

DOMINION POLITICS.

POLITICAL ADDRESS. Mfl CLINKARD AT MATAMATA. Asout 50 delegates attended at the Town Hall, Matamata, to liear an address by Mr C, 11. Ciinkard, M.P. for Rotorua. Mr J. Buchanan, chairman of the Town Board, presided. Mr Ciinkard explained the efforts of the Government to meet the deficit. He believed the position should be met by savings rather than by increased taxation. He was strongly in favour of fusion and was prepared to mako any sacrifice to improve things in New Zealand. He compared the borrowings of the Reform Party with those of the Government, pointing out that huge sums had to be found, amongst. others for tho Auckland Railway Station and Arapuni, both being white elephants. He had been an ardent advocate of land banks and settlement as at present being carried out by the Government on undeveloped lands. Labour and Country Parties. • The members of the Labour Party In the House were unreasonable, said Mr Ciinkard, and constantly voted against any measure which would be of advantage to the whole community. Ho was against the Country Party’s policy of Free Trade and compared the decline of agriculture in England under free trade with the expension in New Zealand, under protection. He was a firm supporter, of this country growing enough wheat for her own needs. If derating was carried he cuold not see where the money was to be found. It had been said that he had neglected other interests •to bolster up the timber trade. This ■was not so, but he took credit to himself that the tariff on foreign timber had been increased. He was out for the greatest good for the greatest number, and if there had been mistakes he urged the electors to bring them under his notice and he would gof into them carefully. He claimed that the Government could not pass much useful legislation because of insufficient strength. Replies to Questions. In reply to Mr D. B. Higgins, Mr Ciinkard said his party was not strong enough 'to ( chrry legislation to reduce the price of commodities. If free trade was carried somebody would get the profit, but it would not be the farmer. Mr P. Hawke asked if the speaker was In favour of money 'collected for the use of unemployment being used for other purposes than the payment of unemployed. Mr Ciinkard said he was proud to Inform the meeting that there were 2000. unemployed working on farms .to-day doing useful work. He reminded Mr Hawke that the manufacturer paid his levy just the same as the farmer, and he would not pass judgment on something he knew nothing about. Mr Ciinkard held out no hope to the Country Party, if it did get a few more members in the House, of getting any more favourable treatment. He had always attended to every request which he had received from electors in his constituency and hoped to be* able to do so in future. On the motion of Messrs G. Fitzgerald and D. B. Higgins a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Ciinkard by acclamation.