ELECTIONEERING BEGINS IN SHANNON

Chronicle (Levin), 21 November 1949, Page 3

ELECTIONEERING BEGINS IN SHANNON

Mr. R. E Algie Addresses Electors Eleetion campaigning iii Shannon opened on Thursday evening when Mr. R. M. Algie, National Party candidate fpr Remuera, reviewed the political position of New Zealand and outline'd foriefly the National Party's policy to over 3.Q0 electors in the Renown Theatre. The speaker was given a very cordial hearing, with only one or two good natured , interjections. The Mayor, Mr. D. A. Fitzgerald, oocupied the chair and in introducing the speaker made mention of the fact that Mr. M. H. Oram, the official National candidate for this electqfafce, was unable' to conduct his campaign on aecount of illness and Mr, Algie was deputising for him. Mr. Algie remarked on his close assoeiation with Mr, Oram, both as University students and as benchmates for six years in the House of Representatives. He stated that it was a pleasure for him to be able to speak in the Manawatu electorate during Mr. Oram's illness. The speaker went on to outline the privileges of democracy in that the people

were able to voice their views for or against the legislation of the country, and impressed upon his audience the need to preserve these rights and retain democracy. Mr. Algie illustrated conditions in Europe during pre-war years when the people had been given the choice of candidates all of whom ha'd stood for the one party, the dictatorship. These conditions could not come to New Zealand because the people of the Dominion #would not allow it to happen here. It was the people's duty, continued the speaker, to eleet the trustees of the country and he impressed on those present the need for avoiding a blunder in that appointment, as it would be a iblunder that would stand : for three years. The trustees that. were appointed would have' eonltrol over the elector, his prpperty and his family, and would/ Jiaye the power to impose taxes, ; , : Touching.on the superannuation scheme for M.P.'s, Mr. . Algie ^aid that the, bontribution which . had, tb be .-made by the taxpayets was sinall.;' It ',wa^, the National ^Pafty'§ plan' , P0/E make; [ihe . sehem#r . sejf k stipboftingj -.and* tb 4ncreasJri ^4' cpntrilJutiohs made by members so jbli^t the|r wopld cpyer fhe ;tota|j operation of thei scheme. Re'fe.rhing briefly to the National; Party'B policy, the speaker dealt ^th rural housing and said that at the present time the erection 6f State houses was far greater on a population basis in the cities than in rural districts. By oifering " more generous loans, . people would be encouraged to build their own homes under a National Government. The present loan of £1500 would be increased to £2000 and local bodies would be encouraged to lend more money for building. Prefabricated houses would be consi'dered for farm workers and other rural dwellings. These houses were considered very favourable for rural districts. Asked what he thought of the present State houses, the speaker said they were very good and the praetice of erecting State houses would continue under a National Goyernment. State houses would not be sold over the tenant's head, assured Mr. Algie. They would be offered to the tenant first. Primary production was reviewed by Mr. Algie, who said that the whole future of New Zealand was based on the general well-being of the primary industries. He stressed the need to encourage production. His party would not enter into the sale of produce and the marketing control would be handed back to the producers, assured Mr. Algie. A board would be set up with the majority of members representing the producers. There would, however, be a guaranteed minimum price below which the price could not fall. It .was the National Party's aim to restore to thie producers the control of their own industry. The speaker weht on to deal with subsidies and what his party intended doing in this direction ,if it beeame the Government. Sharehiilkers would be encouraged to acquire their own farms. On the matter of land saies, Mr.- Algie said that his party could not' do away with it altogether, but they would go a long way towards it. He said that people were not settling *"on the land because they could hot get the land. Under the present land saies system the owner had to sell at 1942 priees. With regard to the rehabilitation of servicemen, he questioned why the land owner was asked to pay -the whole cost? Under a National Government, if a person wished to sell his farm, the Crown would have first priority because they would settle a returned serviceman ■ on the farm. The owner would be paid 1949 value, as fixed by the Supreme Oourt and two assessors. . ihe Government would then ofiei tbe property to a soldier at 1942 priees and the "taxpayers would make iip the difference, thus isaving one man from making the . whole contfibution.0 The rehabili°

bation of servicemen was a uational cause and the nation ihould pay the cost, he added. The country's finances were also reviewed by the speaker, who said that the first thing the National Party would do if elected would be to wipe out the Reserve Bank Amendment Act. It would not allow any one Minister to control the finances of the country. The speaker condemned the present Government's policy of the currency system of New Zealand.' His party pioposed to eliminate industrial controls by degrees. This was something which could not be done overnight. They would encourage co-operative eoncerns if they were on fair terms with individual traders. The control of businesses, other than hotels, would be abolished and they would lift restrictions as quickly as possible. . ... • With regard' tb -t|ikation, Mr. Algie said it would not be honesi to say that there, .wodld; ■ be a reduction of taxatibm because it was no use the . National Party offering to •distribute the 'contqfitS; of thq till if they • d|d ■hot'nkttow how. much. there was in it. The "speaker* then ' outlined the policy whereby perscins. over 60 years of a§|e a'tid ti^ose^ho worked at home wpuld' receiy^ certain reductions jand exemptibns. Saies tax would be taken ofE all labour-savin-g devices in the "Kbmes: sdnd overiame, workers 'Woifid pajr- tax on bvertiiiie spread over houts" of work/ If certain Government departinents were tb bb closed up undet a Nationalist Gbvernment, the ciyil servants would not be dismissed but transferred into other departments, stated Mr. Algie when referring to the civil servants' position. They would encourage the employment of younger labour and not take adults from private industry. The speaker said that he would be in favour of the restoration of capital punishment in serious murder charges. When this matter t was to be discussed in the House, all members would be given a free vote and not be bound to the party. The National Party would not interfere with social security in any shape and there would be no reductions. It was proposed to appoint a Minister who would deal with matters concerning women and children's well-being. Matters in connection with the Fair Rents Act were also outlined by the speaker. A motion of thahks to Mr. Algie for his. interesting and eonstructive address was moved by MT. John P. McNeile and carried by acclamation. Mr. Algie moved a vote of thanks to° Mr. Fitzgerald for the manner in which. he had controlled the meeting. Several question were answered by Mr. Algie.