RAGLAN CONTEST

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22149, 22 September 1943, Page 2

RAGLAN CONTEST

MR COULTER’S CAMPAIGN CONTROL OF MONEY SYSTEM Labour’s achievements and policy during eight years of office were vigorously championed by Mr R. Coulter, official Labour candidate lor Raglan, when addressing a large audience which crowded the Lyceum Theatre, Huntly, last night, rhe speaker was accorded an excellent hearing without interjection and his remarks were frequently applauded. The Mayor of Huntly, Mr G. Smith, who presided, read a letter from the retiring member, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, expressing his regret at being unable to be present through illness and thanking the electors for their support during his years in the House. He hoped that Mr Coulter would be returned as his successor to carry on the work. Mr Smith paid a warm personal tribute to the retiring member and to the work he had done tor the district. Mr Coulter, in asking his listeners to look back over the national road that had been travelled in the past 40 years, said that its economic, social and financial system had resulted in alternate booms and depressions. In spite of the plenty of everything the people required, there had always been hardship and suffering owing to a faulty economic system based upon an unstable financial system. The electors now had to decide whether they would go back over that road and have a repetition of those conditions and circumstances. “No-Exit” Roads There were other roads, continued the speaker, that were “no-exit” roads, and could not lead anywhere. They were the Lee and Real Democracy roads. It was unfortunate that these two groups represented money reform groups. A vote cast for them was a vote against Labour and gave the National Party its only chance to win. He would urge all money reformers and radicals to stand with the Government in the defence of financial stability and control of the currency of the country. Mr Coulter reviewed at length the Government’s achievements in regard to education, housing, social security and medical benefits, the guaranteed price, marketing, stabilisation and the war effort. The speaker challenged Mr W. J. Poison to produce a tittle of evidence in support of his allegation that the Government was under Trades Hall domination. The Government had recognised its duty to every person in the country and it was entirely wrong to say it was merely a “class” Government. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the speaker amid loud applause. PARTY POLITICS MR H. T. HEAD’S CRITICISM An explanation of the ideals and aims of the Independent Group of candidates was given by Mr H. T. Head, ndependent candidate for Waikato, during his tour of the electorate. There was a tremendous fight going on today, said Mr Head, between the people and the party. People were tired of party politics They often asked what could be done about it as the party system was so strong. The reason for this, he explained, was the various interests which gave their support for the purpose of dividing the people. On the one hand the Labour Party was supported and financed by the unions, and on the other the National Party received its support from vested interests. Before trying to win the peace the country should try to remove these obstructions, he said. Mr Head quoted Professor R. M. AJgie as having previously sung the praise of the Independent as an asset to the country, and then having swung over to a party. If the country were governed by people whose opinions oscillated such as this, why tolerate party politics, he asked. The candidate also read extracts from the rules and constitution of the National Party in support of his remarks that the party was dominated by outside interests and was not working in the interests of the people, but of the party. The candidate said he considered the farmers of New Zealand were justified in being discontented. They had received a raw deal. The ljd increase to compensate for the in-

creased costs was totally inadequate. After 3d had been absorbed in increased wages and 3d went to factory to cover increased costs, the farmer was left with id per pound butterfat, as direct compensation.

REFORM NEEDED FINANCIAL SYSTEM There was an urgent need for the immediate revision and reform of the financial system, said Mr S. Burton, Real Democratic candidate for Raglan, during an address to electors. The financial system, he said, controlled everything in the lives of people, imposing bitter hardships upon them and upon every succeeding generation. In attacking the system of party politics, Mr Burton said that all the members of a party were subject to party control and the interests of the country took second place. Political parties were entirely absorbed in their own special interests. Each of these parties had cut loose from the people, taking an interest in their affairs only when elections drew near.

i A business concern could not i prosper for five minutes if half its I directors thought it their duty to oppose the other half consistently. Neither could a school committee further the prosperity of a school J under such circumstances, added the candidate in further criticism of the ; party system. j MR GLASGOW AT HUNTLY i Mr R. J. Glasgow, official National i candidate for Raglan, addressed a well-attended meeting of electors in . the Lyceum Theatre, Huntly. The I Mayor, Mr G. Smith, presided. Al- | though Mr Glasgow had frequent ! interjections to contend with in outlining his party’s policy, he carried J on with vigour and at the conclusion of his address he thanked his listeners for a “jolly good hearing.” Mr Glasgow then answered several questions. A vote of thanks was accorded the speaker for his address, with which was coupled a vote of no-confidence in the National Party. Mr Glasgow received an attentive and enthusiastic hearing at a wellattended meeting held at Whata- ; whata on Tuesday night. He emphasised the ‘fact that in his relationship with his electorate he felt as free as any Independent, and pledged himself to report back to the electors on the decisions he had taken in Parliament.

“I set great store on the promises given by our leader that individual members are free to vote as they think best on matters that come before the House,” said Mr Glasgow. “I believe that this will not be easy, but I also believe that it represents a very real step forward in our political life.” New Zealand could win the war | and the peace that followed only if ! all men of goodwill strove earnestly jto promote harmony in industry. It would be his aim at all times to endeavour to bring this about. Farming problems were dealt with extensively by the speaker, who dwelt on the need for more control by producers themselves. He believed in co-operation in this field and would work for it at all times. Mr Glasgow then dwelt on the various aspects of the party’s policy and also answered a number of questions. In moving a vote of thanks Mr A. W. Moore said he knew that the electors would show their confidence in Mr Glasgow on polling day. The motion was carried with enthusiasm. MR R. G. YOUNG’S CAMPAIGN Reference to the enthusiasm displayed at the meetings he had addressed was made by Mr R. G. Young, the Real Democracy Movement candidate for the Hauraki seat, when he spoke at Turua, Patetonga, Kopuarahi and Waitakaruru. He said that great interest was displayed by electors in the proposals of the Real Democracy Movement, electors recognising that many problems in regard to rehabilitation, drainage and other important subjects could not be carried out without some financial changes. The contention of the Real Democracy Movement that all money for public and social purposes should not be issued as a debt appeared to meet with approval everywhere.