WAIKATO CONTEST

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22151, 24 September 1943, Page 6

WAIKATO CONTEST

MR GOOSMAN’S ADDRESS GOVERNMENT CONDEMNED The National candidate for Waikato, Mr W. S. Goosman, delivered his 33rd address of the election campaign at Waitoa, where a large attendance of electors was presided over by Mr A. J. Luxton. At times proceedings became quite lively, but the honours of debate and repartee were in favour of the candidate. Mr Goosman devoted most of his time to criticising the actions of the Labour Government in the past five years, and its declared policy for the future. He condemned the Government for extravagance, ineptitude and domination by outside interests. The future of the primary producer in the Dominion, said Mr Goosman, was a matter which would be given serious consideration in the policy of the National Party. In the past the primary producer had certainly not had his desserts, owing to the Government being directed by industrial interests, chiefly trade union secretaries. The Dominion’s standard of living depended more than ever before on primary production, and even the fnanufacturing industries depended upon the farmer. Dependence on Exports

This country was very deficient in raw materials and the stimulation of export was the only way by which New Zealand could get raw materials in return for primary produce such as meat, wool, butter and cheese. The height of New Zealand’s standard of living depended upon what it imported, yet industries were operating behind a tariff wall. It was the National Party’s intention to allow the primary producer to control his own products after the war. However, the present ararngements would have to continue, with variations, until the war ended. A Control Board elected by the producers themselves, with Government representation, would work in the producers’ interests. Like a Rabbit Warren “Could anyone imagine anything more like a rabbit warren than the flats recently erected by the Government, with 116 people living under ‘he one roof?” asked Mr W. S. Goosmon. He was referring to a large block of flats recently completed under th'e State housing scheme in Wellington. The Labour Party had not considered the family man either i i housing or taxation, declared the speaker, who went on to tell of the National Party’s proposal to offer State house tenants the opportunity to own their own property by paying a fixed weekly sum. The terms would be within everyone's reach he said, and it was his I party’s desire to have as many people owning their own homes as possible. It was aiso proposed to issue a mortgage insurance scheme, so that if anything happened to the wageearner the property would be handed over to his dependents. It was very recessary and desirable that special care should be taken to see that people with children should be housed, and decently housed. The future of the childen depended so much on early environment. Mr Goosman answered many questions, and was accorded a warm vote of thanks, the chairman remarking that the proper place to show confidence in a candidate or the party he represented was at the ballot box on election day.