ELLESMERE SEAT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18417, 25 June 1925, Page 10

ELLESMERE SEAT.

MR W. H. MONTGOMERY A CANDIDATE. REPRESENTATIVE DEPUTATION. A deputation of the following gentlemen waited on Mr V. 11. Montgomcry on 'Tuesday with reference to his contesting flic Ellesmore sent at the General Election: Messrs James Chap mar. and James Humphries (Puaha), J. V. Buchanan and A. O. Hutchinson (Ok'.ite Valley), Thomas Thompson (Little River) ai;d John Parkinson TKai'una). *

Mr Chapman said that they had come to ask Mr Montgomery if he could see his way to contest the Ellesnieve seat in the Reform interest at the General Election. They all knew that ho'was a man of large and varied experience, who had already, been in Parliament, and knew the run of things, and they had no doubt lie would make a capable and efficient representative for the district.

Mr Thomas Thompson said he wished to make his position clear. He. would like to hear Mr Montgomery's views on various matters before deciding. He had always been a supporter of the Reform Party, and agreed with it generally on its policy. One or two points he would like made clear.

Mr Parkinson said ho was in rather an awkward position, as he had only .heard that day that hi* neighbour, Mr Prank Coop, was likely to be a candidate. He' considered it would be impossible to get a more suitable man for their representative than Mr Montgomery. Mr Montgomery said lie had been asked at Show tinie if he would consent to stand, but as at that time Sir K. Heaton Rhodes had not made up his mind definitely whether he would be a candidate, lie would not promise anything. He would not stand on any account until Sir Heaton definitely decided not'to contest the election. "I will stand in the Reform Party's interests," he said, "and may say I have always been a Reformer. *Mr Seddon, whose Party I belonged to at that time, was carrying out reforms such as thq Lands for Settlement Act, Advances to Settlers, .Old Age- -Pensions, Shops Act, Arbitration Act, and other reforms." He would not enter Parliament as the representative of the large landholders, but would be in favour of legislation for all classes-. AnyParty which wished to hold power must consider and legislate for the working people, and raise their standard of living. With regard to the Labour Party, he said that so far as he could gather it only represented one section, which wanted to achieve its Socialistic aims by means not consistent with the welfare of the country at large. He had road in the papers a day or two ago of some miners on the West Coast whoso objectivo was taking, holding, and working the mines for the miners. He was not in favour of these means. He considered "that all efforts should be made to keep out extremists, and means taken to" counter the Bolshevik tendencies of the Labour Party. Labour should always be considered fairly. Mr Coates, the Prime Minister, had always endeavoured to give the Departments under him a fair deal. He had endeavoured to plarce tho Departments over which he had control on a business footing. The tendency of Government officers was to stick to the regulations and not use discretion. t . Mr Coates had endeavoured to alter this, as instance tho Railway Department, where stationmasters Were encouraged to. go out after business, and not wait for the business to come to the Department. Mr Montgomery said he wanted to see the Reform Party go ahead- on constitutional lines. Ho would like to see a fusion party, as there was really no differences of opinion generally on any questions. Mr Thompson said he considered there was room for a country party or a national party. Ho would also liko to see a State bank. Mr Montgomery: What sort of a State bank? Mr Thompson: A Government bank entering into business, and competing with private banks*. Mr Montgomery: "All banks dealing with the question of advances have tc depend largely on private, information as to the securities to be set off against such loans. If a Government bank were dealing with such, there might be a danger of collusion." He' would not make a statement in the meantime with regard' to ■ a v State bank. He mentioned that the Government already had a controlling interest in the Bank of New Zealand. There was a considerable amount to be said in fuwur of agricultural banks.

Mr Thompson said lie was very pleasfed with Mr Montgomery's s'.atement with regard to Labour. Those who did the work of the country were the • ones,who required generous treatment.

The meeting concluded after thanking Mr Montgomery. Apologies for absence w-ero received from Messrs H. A. Nutt, F. (i. Birdling, W. Gray, and T. Quealy.