GENERAL ELECTION

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19648, 7 August 1935, Page 8

GENERAL ELECTION

THE HAMILTON SEAT. MR H. D. CARO ASKED TO STAND. . RECIPROCAL TRADE URGED. A unanimous request to contest the Hamilton seat at the forthcoming general election was made to Mr H. D. Caro, of Hamilton, at a meeting of friends and supporters held in Toorak Chambers last evening. Mr L. -Champion presided. Apologies for absence were received fj’om Messrs J. R. Fow, 11. Valder, F. House, J. Nicol, J. F. Strang, J. E. Tjcld, O. Dean. A. L. Tompkins, and D. Marshall. Mr H. C. Baulf, northern divisional organiser of the Democrat Political Federation, outlined the aims and objects of the federation. “There comes a time when every man feels lie' would like to be doing more than he is for his country,” said Mr -Caro, addressing the meeting.

He referred to tie socialistic tendencies of the present Government, and remarked that if New Zealand was to toe run toy politicians as it had been in the past four years it would toe a bad thing for private enterprise. There ' was no platform lie had to offer at present. Until a platform was adopted by the candidates themselves' there was' nothing lie could place before them that was official. There was one plank, however, on which he would insist, and that was free trade with Britain. (Applause.) Reciprocity with Britain. “I will sink or swim on that,” declared Mr Caro. “I am convinced that' it is the only safe plan for New Zealand to adopt. In the last few years, since the O.ttawo agreement was signed, we appear to have gone out of our way to antagonise Britain and British manufacturers. We are exporting all we can and all Britain will take, and we are buying one-flfth back from Britain in return. We are charging not only the 25 per cent, exchange, but also 274 per cent. duty, on the majority of British goods we import. That means that an article retailed in .England at Gd is sold 'in New Zealand at between Is Gd and Is lid. The difference has to come from the nockets of the woYkers, New Zealand, the speaker emphasised, was a primary producing country, and coiuld not hope to compete in manufactured goods with England and America. Our output was so small, our machinery so obsolete and methods so out of date that we were forced lo< adopt a system of protection. Any Government prepared to subsidise uneconomic secondary industries could not have the good of the country at heart. It should never be forgotten that the primary producer was the backbone of the country, which could not survive without him. Socialistic Legislation. “I am not going to criticise the Government at present, and unless I can criticise constructively I will not do so at all,” added Mr Caro. “It will be my earnest endeavour to place the name of New Zealand in such good repute in England as it was some 10 or 12 years ago. All our legislation in the past live years has been of a socialistic nature, while the ages of members of* the Cabinet arc such that it must lack vitality. To-day Governments and politicians make promises and agreements with not /the slightest intention of keeping them. The Government lias been trying to please everybody and has not pleased 5 per cent, of the population. 1 will promise nothing if 1 contest Ibis election, and if I lose there will be no ill-feeling." (Applause.) On the motion of Mr E. G. Day, seconded toy Mr D. Seymour, it was unanimously decided to ask Mr Caro to contest the Hamilton seal. , Mr Harold D. Caro is a well-known and successful 'Hamilton business man. Before acquiring and developing the large departmental business known as the Great Bargain Stores in 1923 Mr Caro was a prominent figure in the commercial life of Auckland. He founded the firm of Oaro Brothers, now Caro and .lerral, Ltd., one of the largest indenting houses in the Dominion. For several years Mr Caro lias served on the Hamilton Borough Council Aid is at present deputy-mayor. He is president of the Sunshine League and has lent active support and'financial assistance for many years to various worthy ■ objects. Closely associated with the sport of racing, Mr Caro is interested in the ownership of several horses and he is a committee member of the Waikato Baring Club.