Key Auckland Seats In Coming Election

Chronicle (Levin), 6 May 1949, Page 5

Key Auckland Seats In Coming Election

Press Association)

(Per

AUCKLAND. May 3. The importance of a numbor of key electorates in Auckland as a decidii^ factor in the coming election was em. phasised by Mr. M. H. Oram, M.P. fo. Manawata, in an address to about 15 people at Otahuhu last night. Tio Mavor of Otahuhu, Mr. A. Murdoi-h presided. Mr. Oram is one of a part; of six National Party members of Par liament who will speak to public moet ; ings in the Auckland district this week "I think vou are goiug to occupy aii historic position tin the country in tio next few months.'' Mr. Oram said. " It is in Otahuhu and one or two other ke; electorates, mainly in the Auckland dis triet, that the fate of the next electior. will be decided." Mr. Oram said the present prosperi' v of New Zealand was not due to the Labour Oovernment, which had beci. the luckiest ever to occupy the Treasury benches. Since 19.'). "5 tliere had been a steady rise in prices received overseas for priuiary produce, and tin; alone was responsible for the country 's present prosperity. "New Zealand is prosperous today because of world conditions, " Mr. Oram said. "But Labour is solely responsible for shortages. Why is there a shortage of cement? It is not because it is not being produced. Just over the strait from Wellington there is a cement company that has had to close dowh because its storage capacity was overilowing. It could not store any more, and so had to give up production for the time being until the stores could be cleared. This was because shipping could not be provided, or because ships could not be turned round fast enough, or because ot trouble on the waterfront. Labour is also solely responsible for the rise in the cost of living and the fall in our purchasing power. " Mr. Oram, who covered a wide range of topics in an address lasting nearly two hours, was accorded a vote oi thanks.