CAMPAIGN NOTES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22520, 30 September 1938, Page 17

CAMPAIGN NOTES

Socialism and Social Service The Labour Government was trying to confuse the issue by saying that Socialism and social service was one and the same thing, said .Mr A. N. Grigg, National Party candidate for Mid-Canterbury, who addressed electors at Ashburton' last evening. He said it was no use pretending that something Could be got for nothing. It was the same under any form of Government. Everything had to be paid for and it all. had to come from the taxpayers.

Farmers' Complaints

"Squeals come from the farming communities that relief workers working for school committees, sports bodies, and on various other jobs are earning more than the farm labourer, said Mr J. A. Kearton, Labour candidate for Temuka, speaking at Temuka. "It has been said that we should cut down their wages to the level of the farm labourer. I don't believe in cutting anything down. With the guaranteed price scheme, what we will do is build up the farm labourer's wages to the level of the other fellow's." Defence of New Zealand New Zealand should be prepared to spend £8,000.000 to defend itself, asserted Mr A. N. Grigg (National) during an election speech at Ashburton last evening. He said that, with the exception of the air arm, the country was almost undefended. The navy and army had been starved for money in the last few years. The National Party would restore many regiments disbanded by the Labour Government and would supply another cruiser for the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. The speaker added that the National Party considered that, in the [event of war, all the resources of the country should be mobilised.

Meeting Ends in Disorder

Heckling and noisy obstruction were 1 almost continuous when Mr J. Park, I National Party candidate for Onehunga, attempted to address a meeting at Te Papapa last night. The candidate was prevented from giving any serious exposition of political questions of the day, and after attempting to compete with noisy opposition, he was compelled to bring the meeting to a close. The theatre was packed by an audience of about 350 persons. An attempt was made to move a vote of thanks, but this was counted out, and the meeting ended in disorder, little more than an hour after it started.—Press Association, "Questions Later" A precedent for candidates was set at Addington last evening by Mr E. J. Howard, Government candidate for Christchurch South, and Chairman of Committees in the last Parliament, when he suggested to his big audience that after speaking for one hour and 50 minutes, for his convenience and theirs, he ought to leave his questions to a later meeting. He said he did not want to dodge the questions, but proposed at a later meeting to speak for only three-quarter's of an hour, and then have the rest of his time for questions. A few questions were asked, then a member of the audience moved a motion agreeing with Mr Howard's suggestion, and this was carried by acclamation. Land Settlement Because New Zealand's export wealth came almost entirely from the land, the National Party, if it were elected to govern the country, would do its utmost to attract men to the land, said Mr G. C. Warren, National candidate for Kaiapoi, in an address last night in the Papanui Memorial Hall. "To-day there is a very grave danger of New Zealand's wealth decreasing," he said, "and it is felt that that trouble has come about because we are not attracting the workers to the land. Toj day there is no incentive for men to Igo in for farming; but the National Party will tackle the land settlement problem if it gets into power." Defence of Democracy ',' The .British Empire, the United States, France, and a few other countries are the few remaining countries with a democratic system, and we should set out to defend the Empire and the system it stands for," said Mr R. M. Macfarlane, Labour candidate for Christchurch North, at a street meeting last evening. He said that iron dictatorships could surround themselves with military power,- so that the only method of making a change was by insurrection and bloodshed. He claimed that under the last Government the defence of New Zealand .had been neglected, but the Labour Government had pushed it ahead, especially in mechanisation.

The Country Quota

"Is it true that the Government is going to do away with the country quota?", was a question put to Mr T. H. McCombs at his meeting at West Lyttelton last night. "Not if I have any say in it," replied the candidate. Mr McCombs . explained that many electorates included both rural and town districts, so that the farmers voted with the townspeople, as in the Lyttelton electorate. "The way things are arranged at present suits the Labour Government," he concluded. "Amplifiers Not Liked" Some distaste of radio amplifiers was voiced by Mr E. J. Howard, Labour candidate for Christchurch South, at his meeting at the Addington School last evening. "I regret that we have to have these machines," he said, touching the amplifier in front of him. "I have one in the House—in Parliament, I mean—and I do not like the darn things." Importation of Wool Substitutes "What is your attitude about the importation of wool substitutes to this country?" was a question asked of Mr G. C. Warren, National candidate for Kaiapoi, When he was addressing a meeting last night' in the Papantii Memorial Hall. "We cannot have it," replied Mr Warren, "but there are none coming in except artificial silks." Mr Warren added that an Italian preparation was being offered in the country, but, as a member of the Wool Publicity Committee, he knew that the position was being very closely watched, and any attempt to bring Wool substitutes, in to the country would be strongly opposed. Businessmen and Politics "All the businessmen of Christchurch are not members of the businessmen's group of the National Party," said Mr R. M. Macfarlane, Labour candidate for Christchurch North, at a street meeting last evening. He claimed that a large number of businessmen supported the Labour Party and himself because their businesses had benefited by the increased spending power among the people,' which had resulted from increases in wages.

Flowers for Candidate

Mr E. J. Howard, Labour candidate for Christchurch South, was paid an unusual tribute at his opening meeting last evening, when a ( woman in the audience stepped up arid presented him with a wreath of red flowers. The presentation was made on behalf of the Christchurch South branch of the Labour Party. "We wish you the best of luck and have every confidence in you," the woman said. Replying, Mr Howard said that the only thing he was sorry for was that there was not nearly enough room to accommodate all the people at the meeting.

MR HIRAM HUNTER AT NORTH BEACH Mr Hiram Hunter, National Party candidate for Avon, addressed a meeting of more than 300 electors in the Memorial Hall, North Beach, last evening. Mr M. Morris presided: After answering a large number of questions, Mr Hunter was given a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Dr. W. T. Glasgow.' :