THE ELLESMERE SEAT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 47, 19 November 1919, Page 8

THE ELLESMERE SEAT

HON; R. H. RHODES OPENS HIS CAMPAIGN By TeleeraDh—Pren Aisoolatlon. Christchurch, November 18. The Hon. B. Heaton lUiode3 opened his campaign at Soiithbridge last night. Ho detailed the causes of his . withdrawal from Ministerial office, and the work he had'been engaged in during his absence from New Zealand. With regard to soldiers' gratuities, tho bulk of the j soldiers thought the Government was ' doing a fair thing. Tho question of indentured labour would come up next, se&iion. In tho meantime the Government was to charter a steamer, and invito members to visit Samoa, so that thoso interested in the subject could get first-hand information. Hβ believed the recent Land Laws Amendment Act would aggregation, but. if not, another mpro drastic ono must be brought down. Ho advocated the compulsory taking of estates for eettloment purposes. Both the Government and tho Opposition had an earnest desire to help the returned soldiers. He was emphatically in favour of tho present education system, and would have as many university scholarships as would enable those anxious to get a university course to get it free, ne advocated stopping non-essential building in order -, to set labour free for building workers' houses. With regard to military training, ho believed a system would be introducel whereby men could take their training whenever they liked, so that their ordinary occupations would not bu interfered with. The country's debt was accumulating, but their great agricultural resources would pull them through. All cautious means should be used to check expenditure, lie. was opposed to extreme Labour. He dealt with tho work of the Reform Government, which ho approved. Replying to questions, ho said tho Government should let the fanner know what ho would tret for his wheat, by fiying tho price. He approved of a Government ferry sevice, but thought action should bo delayed till the South Island Main Trunk line was completed. . Tho candidate received a voto «f thanks.